Sep

23

Dolce far niente.

Filed Under Europe, Italy, OU in Arezzo | 1 Comment  | by

Ciao a tutti!

My name is Lane and I am studying abroad in Arezzo, Italy this semester! I have officially been here in Arezzo, Italy for over a month now! I can not believe time is going by so quickly. I am completely in love with this place, it’s people, and it’s culture. I can only imagine what the next few months will be like!

If any of you have seen or read Eat, Pray, Love then you may understand the title of my first post! Eat Pray Love is one of my very favorite stories and I watched it right before I left to begin this great new chapter in my life. Throughout the story, the Italian phrase “Dolce far niente” is mentioned multiple times, it means “The sweetness of doing nothing.” and it’s a phrase that has really begun to make sense to me during my time here. At home in the US, for me especially, it is so easy to get caught up in watching my favorite TV shows or seeing whats new on Facebook every thirty minutes. My life at home is busy and chaotic and very technology oriented. But here, my life has dramatically changed. Lack of a television, and wifi outside of my apartment, has changed my perspective on my days and requires me to do things other than what I’m used to. Often, this free time includes “Dolce far niente”.

In the past month I’ve spent my time getting to know this place I now call “home”. I’m comfortable with my whereabouts and know how to get around, have small (very small) conversations in Italian, and most importantly, I’ve located the grocery stores! Arezzo is a beautiful city in the hills of Tuscany, literally. Here is a view of the hills from my kitchen window.

View of Arezzo from my kitchen window

Sitting on the wall that surrounds Arezzo!

 

My apartment is inside of the city walls, which adds to the feeling that I’m truly living the “Italian” way of life! I am a block away from Piazza Grande, which is a beautiful piazza with restaurants, shops, and of course, gelaterias! If you’ve seen the movie “Life is beautiful” it’s based here in Arezzo, and many of the beginning scenes take place in Piazza Grande!

Piazza Grande

I have already been able to travel outside of Arezzo a bit! A few weeks ago, some friends and I went to Cinque Terre, which consist of five villages connected by hiking trails! It sits on cliffs that overlook the Italian Riviera! This was by far the most beautiful view of the ocean I have ever seen.

I have also been able to go to Florence twice, once at night and once for the day! We saw many of the famous sights to see, they were all stunning. The Duomo was my favorite! We also shopped at the Italian leather market, which was incredible, and I bought my first purchase since being here in Italy..an Italian leather purse!

 

My classes here are going well, so far I am really enjoying all of them. My professors are passionate about what they’re teaching us, which makes class much more interesting. In a few weeks we are taking a trip with OUA to Pompeii, Sorrento, and the island of Capri for a few days! I am excited to begin traveling as it’s a major passion of mine, and I can’t imagine what the rest of the world will be like if this small piece of Italy that I live in has already captured my heart!

Alla prossima!

-L

 

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