A Moment in Italia
I am so fortunate in my life to have spent some time in Italia. It is a beautiful place filled with beautiful people. I learned many things there. I also confirmed some things in my own life, like the value of wonderful conversation. In the hustle and bustle that is the States, we sometimes forget to take a moment and engage at a deeper human level. In Italia I found that. I saw a different way of communication, a way that expressed the passion of life and the vigor retained within a story. I saw a communication style that might seem rooted in conflict and disagreement, but it was the opposite. The people we met seemed to allow and be comfortable with individuals being themselves and having unique opinions without being ostracized from the tribe. That’s what I felt in my own experience traveling there.
The place is vastly rooted in history without being trapped by it. The modern evolution seems to blend not through form or color, but by scale. The Campanile dominates the scale of the built environment and everything fits in from that benchmark.
I remember getting to Italia. An old friend was studying there and during a random call suggested I visit, but it had to be fast because winter break was over in three weeks. I scrambled to get a passport expedited and funds together. My aunt who had travelled extensively in Europe was my greatest benefactor.
A week later I was on a plane to Italia. I landed in Milano and navigated my way aboard the airport train to the main train terminal at Milano’s city center to catch a train to Firenze.
At the airport train terminal I stood before the intricate subway rail map attempting to figure out the zone system. Remember, this was before smartphones, so travel was a bit more interesting, but adventurous.
A moment later a young couple approached the ticket machine and paid their fare. As they moved toward the turnstiles I heard them speaking English. “Wonderful!” I thought.
“Excuse me, I’m trying to get to the Centrale station, how do I find the amount to pay?” I asked.
They kindly directed me and we on their way. They we such a beautiful couple and you could see they were in love. It made me instantly happy and that moment set the tempo for the rest of my journey.
I thanked them for their generosity, and as they walked away I asked: “where are you all from?”
”We’re from San Diego, California.” They said simultaneously.
“NO WAY! I am too!” I replied.
The three of us stood there and smiled in unison for a split second but it seemed like eternity. It was a extraordinary moment. I am smiling so fully as I write this now.