Global Learning 2

GL Post 2

   My reaction to Rome was not quite what I expected it to be. I had very mixed feelings for it the first week  that we were here. I was expecting to fall completely in love with it like people at home told me I would, they said I would not want to come back home. I do like Rome, I am not in love with it, I am not feeling the things that Barzini talks about in his book, I am not under a spell. Barzini also said, "everybody, or almost everybody, seems to be doing his job with whole-hearted dedication and enthusiasm is what impresses travelers". We talked in class about facial expressions and their importance, but how we were not sure what to make of stern faces on employees and how this quote did not seem to fit what we were seeing. I know it's not their intention to make this happen but I find the stern faces somewhat intimidating and contrary to Barzini.
   What I like about most big cities, and especially about Rome, are the buildings. I did not grow up around a lot of big structures all so close together so with any city I like the buildings. Rome's buildings are especially interesting because of their age and style, in the States we have some old buildings but not ancient ones, at least not really in the cities. I find the transportation to be both oppressive and  exhilarating; on the one hand it is fun to take a train to Rome and other areas and to navigate the metro and bus systems because it is so different from what we are used to. But on the other hand it is sometimes a pain to have to wait an hour or so for the next train ride or to watch the wrong bus stop in front of you and then keep going on to a location that you are not going to. What is especially oppressive about the transportation system has to do with the people, there are so many all trying to fit into one train car or one bus. On top of worrying about being smashed against someone you do not want to be smashed against, you also have to worry about someone trying to steal something from you. I have never been so nervous at the sight of a group of middle school age kids as I am here. I feel bad making assumptions about people but I would rather be safe than sorry.
   Another thing that I find to be really oppressive are the hundreds of people trying to sell merchandise on every street corner, especially because they do not just stand there and quietly offer, but they try to put things in your hands.One of the most oppressive things in Rome, in my opinion, is the language barrier. It is really difficult and limiting when you cannot ask for simple things such as directions or food. However at the same time it is kind of exhilarating not being able to just easily ask for things, it makes us more independent I think because we have to rely more on ourselves than other people. Not being able to communicate properly means we have to figure things out on our own for the most part, I think it is a great learning experience but at the same time it is sometimes frustrating.