Passeggiatas and Decisions Made.

Italian Fact of the Day:

What is a "passeggiata"?

Literally a "passeggiata" is translated into "a walk or stroll". I will mention "passeggiatas" frequently in my blogs because it is not only a word, but it is a way of life here in Italy. I can not even count the number of passeggiatas that I've taken in all parts of this country, and it is a habitual activity that is practically impossible to accomplish in its full ritualistic form in the United States. The streets have been constructed with the currents of Italian footprints, always converging in piazzas and zones of commercial or public activity.

In fact the streets outside my window are swinging with Jazz music and buzzing with the noises of a thousand chattering Italians as they relax sipping cocktails for an aperitivo along the Naviglio waterway. Some even raise their voices in song! The bars and restaurants set up huge tents in the street during the warmer months, and they go all out with claiming their street space to compose elaborate arrangements of tables, chairs, and lounges for their prospective nightly crowds-finishing touches are added with candles. As aperitivo hour approaches (7:00), they make sure to leave an area of the street open for the crowds that will pave the passeggiata runway for the evening.

The runway is important, and you know that you are making a statement when you walk through the crowds. Walking alone is not advisable passeggiata behavior, and if you walk alone, at least pretend that you are headed somewhere fabulous! I hope that you have put thought into your attire for the evening! Every night the streets are filled with life and a flurry of commotion, music drifting from the various locales, while wine and cocktails tune up the tastebuds for the night's joyride. The aroma of Italian cooking permeates the air as sizzling pizzas, aperitivo selections, and restaurant dishes are placed in front of the people lounging for a night-long affair. On popular evenings, you are lucky to battle the advancing army of parading people, battling for your piece of street to tread as aimlessly as you please!

The routes are undetermined and spontaneous--you can choose a new street, alley or bridge at any given moment! It adds to the excitement of the undestinational walk--or fashionable meandering if you will. Couples strolling hand in hand, kisses seized mid-step, and that one bad boyfriend that checks you out as his girlfriend is clinging to his arm. Groups of singles flocking in packs, and teenagers scurry around armed with cellphones, fashion, and sarcasm. The men perch themselves along this nightly runway, calling out to those "lucky" ladies or just staring enough to make them blush. The mature couples walk arm in arm-the woman dressed in light evening dress and her hubby in suave pair of colored pants, a seamless shirt, and a colored sweater tied casually around his neck--picked for you today out of the Ralph Lauren (insert Italian trendy casual designer) catalogue!

The passaggiata does not have to be an evening activity, and it is usually a meandering stroll that ends with piazzas, restaurants, bars, stores, supermarkets, a gelateria, or any other destination. It is a way of life, it is a series of encounters, it is a scenic tour, it is a social event, it is a peaceful unwind, it is a strutting show, it is a current of people, it is hand-in-hand-kiss me over the bridge, it is the breeze in your face, it is the flavor of your gelato, it is the color of your lips-the light in his eyes, it is the laughter in the air, it is undemanding, it is the freedom without agenda, it is the joy of life.


Aside from my fact of the day:

I spent the whole day with Matteo, and he was waiting for me in piazza del Duomo. It is fantastic when he immediately dips me to give me a big kiss, and I wear my red lipstick solely for that instant. We had a lovely day spent together, and as always, it began with a coffee shared together near the Duomo. His first question was, "Well, Cara, have you made your bid decision--will you tell me?"

I had told him yesterday that I decided on my current life situation/job search here in Italy, but I didn't want to tell him until the end of the week. Seeing as I gave the confirmation phone calls and emails this morning, it would only be natural that I announce my news about my imminent future. Will she be heading State-side in December, or will she remain in Italy was the boiled down question. After much preoccupation and soul-searching, she has dug deep and found an answer!!! Drum roll please.... (as no one reads my blog, I imagine that there is much built-up suspense.)

I have decided to take the job teaching art and art history in Milan, and this means that my butt will sign a contract keeping me in Italy until at least June!! I accept this job with the hopes of gaining experience, a stable monthly salary, and the chance to try to continue with artistic endeavors in Italy--painting, finding an internship, and/or creating murals.

When I was struggling with this decision with respect to my life goals, I took a time out to evaluate my different opportunities, which lead me to create a "Priorities" list. On my "priorities" page, I listed all of the most important components of my life--places, people, goals, ,interests, skills--at the bottom of the page, and the idea was to list their importance in numerical order at the top. I found this exercise to be completely futile and frustrating. There was no way that I could ever decide on the direction of my life based on my ranking of priorities! In effect, I have decided that priorities are situational and time-based, and sometimes it is not the right moment to be hammering directly at your main goal when you could be addressing other issues or interests that fall in place. You could be collecting bits and pieces that will slowly build a foundation for your future endeavors. When I speak about priorities it means evaluating what is the experience you want to have at a certain point in your life. Just because you choose to be far away doesn't mean you don't care to be close to your family and friends--it just means you want a different experience. HOwever, it is important to note that you determine your own happiness, no matter where that might be.

I could delve into my reasoning and careful thought-processes, but I have saved those treats only for those privy ears of my family--God bless their souls! It suffices to say that I've chosen to continue on my Italian adventure, a road that is as windy as those that curve up the Tuscan hills--one that only has more promise for new episodes and intrigue along my "passeggiata". We will see what this new "teaching" chapter will blow my way!

Matteo and I went to an art show of a famous Italian political satirist, Forattini, and it was incredibly interesting. We ate a pizza and lounged in the park for the rest of the day. It was lovely and relaxing.

Tomorrow I pack to go to Parma with my girlfriend. It should be a fabulous weekend!