Ciao, Bella!

Ciao!!!


Honestly, I have no idea where to even start. After being in Viterbo, Italy for over a week life seems to be passing me by yet standing so still. The journey from Reno to Viterbo was probably the most stressful and intense traveling I have ever done in my life. I met a few of the USAC students on the plane and thank goodness I did– or I might still be in Frankfurt. Even though it was intense and extended over two days- I’m glad we made it all in one big chunk because the amount of excitement me and Sawny were feeling was unattainable. I hardly slept on the flight, let alone the night before I left so by the time Wednesday rolled around I probably had a total of 6 hours or maybe 7 hours of sleep. Walking zombies is just the beginning of what we all were feeling. However, Italy calls and no one can really stay in bed for too long, right?
Along with orientation, meeting new people, and getting lost in the city twice so far Viterbo is celebrating their city saint. I really have to do more research about it, but the story goes like this-- Santa Rosa was a young Saint that during the plague helped the sick and dying without getting a scratch or becoming ill herself. Giving her entire self to the people of Viterbo she ended her life at the young age of 18 by starving herself. Her life was so charitable she forgot about herself which was ultimately her downfall. After her death the city suffered a great fire where the church she was buried in was burnt to a crisp. However, her body remained- completely intact which just proved of her worth and Sainthood. In celebration the entire city, for the past week, has been in celebration. Either with random marching bands or parades, we seem to be stuck within a celebration of some sort and some point in the day or other.

Specifically for this week they have an event that happens at the end of the week which is the carrying of a HUGE tower through the city which will finally be put to rest at the catherdral of Santa Rosa. Now when I say that a tower is being carried througout Viterbo, I mean that a 100 Viterbo men dress in white clothes with a red belt carry this legitimate tower that surpasses the rooftops by probably more than 8 feet. The pictures do a better justice of describing the event and the video shows you how loud our street corner got when the tower passed us. The entire city fills the plazas and the streets of the city and some wait over ten hours just to have a great spot. The commitment and respect these people have for their city is astonishing. I have never seen, or been a part of something, that was that passionate. I mean, the only thing I can think that even compares is the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade... and it is nothing close to this festival! I was so honored and grateful that we came when we did so that I could just be a part of it. What a great way to start of this chapter of my life, no?! (for some reason blogger isn't allowing me to upload photos but if you take a look on my facebook they should be there very shortly.)

This event happens on Friday, but the days before the event, young boys from the ages of about 5 to 10 do their own tower tour- in preparation for when they will one day be able to actually be a part of the real festival. As they walk by everyone screams and cheers for them and as they pass they look so serious and in control. It’s was so fun and cute to watch them in their attempts to carry this tower throughout the town! What a great tradition!

With this festival we have been pretty busy throughout the week, so when Saturday hit (which was the first day we could sleep in) we all had plans to do something and I’m pretty sure no one woke up before noon. Completely exhausted, trying to get on Italian time, and figuring out where you are going can really take something out of someone.

Now the question we are all asking- how am I doing? I couldn’t be doing better, honestly. Of course I’m a little sad not to be in direct contact to most of you- but I’m doing well. So far I have begun the goals that I hope to achieve over these next four months. Happiness is hard to not have in this beautiful place, but we all feel a little homesick once in awhile. However, with the program and the friends that I automatically made- I’m not afraid, or sad, or even really that nervous. Of course some things are not what I expected, but the way I am handling myself and the problems I am having is astonishing- really. To be honest- I’m not quite here yet. No one really is... all thinking that we are on vacation it feels like I can walk out of these city walls and be back to an English speaking, fast food eatin place and I have to keep reminding myself that I am not on vacation! School will be starting tomorrow and I think that will help a little, and you have no idea how excited I am for that. I already have my outfit picked out and my pens in my backpack. Tomorrow will bring on a couple of new things, but I’m glad to be out of my bubble.

I already know that this will be the best thing for me. Not only will I learn and grow as an artists, but I already feel myself growing and learning more about myself as a person! Italy, here I come- bring on the blood... bring on the culture... bring on the cheese- holy cow the cheese!!!

To those back home: I have not forgotten about you in the least- I think of you all the time and just remember that I am sending my love over seas. I miss you terribly, but don’t worry about me.. I have 1 Euro pizza and banana ice cream to comfort me! Don’t forget to write and let me know how you are all doing back at home, in different countries, states, and cities!

Sending massive amounts of kisses and hugs from VITERBO!


<3 Katy