Small Rye Big World: Figuring it Out
Europe has figured it out. In America’s defense, they do have some years on us in maturity. I once heard the analogy that America is like a young boy trying to impress his older brother, Europe. America flexes its power, strength, and size; while Europe laughs as their wisdom and knowledge knows better than to boast. Where did our confidence come from? We are racing to become the “firsts” for things still, while Europe has buildings still beautifully standing from thousands of years before America was even born. Europe has a strong foundation of theologians, philosophers, artists, musicians, architects, and religious elite. They celebrate triumphs and defeats the same. People travel from far and wide to see a crumbling colosseum that once housed gladiators fighting each other (and animals, for that matter) to death. The Tower of Pisa was halfway constructed before the original builder up and left, leaving Bonanno Pisano to make due with his mistakes and create an architectural miracle that is now a national monument. They learn from their mistakes. Perhaps, instead of continuing to prove ourselves to them, we should try to learn from our wise elders.
In true American fashion, I am speaking on Europe as if I have it all figured out. In the quick three months that I am here, I know I will only be getting a taste of what Europe has to offer through weekend trips and the five-mile radius I walk around Florence. However, I know as jumpy Americans, we wish to figure it all out in one week. We want to scan everything there is to see here on one cruise ship ride, and then come home and claim ourselves an expert.
This is something I struggled with when I first got here. In my months of preparation to leave America for this long, everyone gave me their two cents on “How to Do Europe.” It made me so excited. I had a running note on my phone of places to view, eat, and stay. I quickly realized that I was not on vacation. I am not going to be on the beach in Positano all day and wake up in Rome. I have to buy groceries in Italian, take the trash out, do my homework, and wash my clothes with no dryer. It isn’t as easy as I had imagined. When you’re on a trip, you only see the romanticized things that are in the movies, eat four-course Italian meals every day,and have a full schedule of entertainment. I am living a normal life here. Contrary to what my Instagram may portray, it is not a 3 month holiday.
I am having to figure it out. Instead of attempting to force my culture into this country, I am unfolding myself and all I have known and letting Europe mold me. In doing so, I am figuring some stuff out. I have adopted some wisdom from Europe. I want to share as much of it with you all as I can, in hopes of giving you all the fullest taste of Europe you can have. Through these blog posts, I will share my versions of “How to Do Europe” and what Europe has taught me to help you figure it out. Just know, that Europe is here and unchanging. It is how you embrace it that it will shape you. You will figure it out.
Sincerely,
Small Rye in a big world
