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(12/02/11 3:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fully immersing yourself into another language is exhausting. Between classes, conversations with roommates and interactions with store workers, you can begin to grow a bit nostalgic for the days when you were able to communicate effectively with those around you.Because my weekend journeys had been filled with small towns where I was forced to use my newly honed language skills, I decided to explore a metropolitan area and visit what might be considered Italy’s most famous city: Rome. The one-time political center of the world and claimed birthplace of democracy is a fantastic place to read about but an even better one to visit. Like any major metropolitan area, the city greets you with sketchy individuals offering bus tours, discounted hostels and even an “American-style bar crawl.” After paying to use the men’s restroom at the train station and being kicked out for having the wrong body parts, I was a bit upset with Rome. The charming city that offers true love in about a quarter of romantic comedies was failing me.It took nothing more than a cold soda and a quick glance at my Rick Steves book to realize that the capital city of Italy had so much more to offer me. Dating back more than 2,000 years (why yes, Rome is older than your calendar), the city has played capital to the Roman Kingdom, Republic and Empire. During the Renaissance, artists like Michelangelo and Raphael worked on the now-legendary sites that call the city home. While it’s easy to get caught up in the role of playing tourist, a monument or attraction is much easier to appreciate when you reflect upon its cultural and historical import. I was shocked to find Italian school children being guided around the Colosseum for a field trip.The enormous Colosseum once hosted contests between man and animal. The now-crumbling rocks on the grassy bottom were once buried under thousands of gallons of water to entertain citizens with ship battles.While the Baroque-style Trevi Fountain was designed by the praised architect Battista, it’s more commonly known for being swum in by the fictional American actress Sylvia in Federico Fellini’s classic film “La Dolce Vita.” Smaller than I originally pictured, the Sistine Chapel is every bit as breathtaking as it’s described. The most famous part of this host to the papal conclave is the ceiling, painted by Michelangelo .While Rome has far too many tourist sites to individually list, the few I’ve mentioned set an accurate tone for visitors to the city. An ancient city filled with splendor, wealth and foreigners, Rome is easily accessible to all, including those who don’t speak Italian. —johnsbrl@indiana.edu
(11/18/11 4:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After deciding to study abroad in Italy, I was secretly hoping to see a few of the stereotypes prominently featured in the media. Northern Italians, however, are drastically different from their more colorful countrymen to the South, and I’ve spent the past three months searching for the false Italian picture painted by the writers of “The Sopranos.” With holiday season officially here and a growing case of homesickness plaguing my program, it was the perfect time to escape the confines of Bologna and see what my friend’s Sicilian family was all about. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is known for its high agricultural production. The island has brightly colored buildings, French styled iron wrought balconies and palm trees littering its streets. But beyond the physical beauty, the distinctly Sicilian tone gave me my overdue fill of Italian stereotypes.A park was filled with sounds of two old men fighting about a game of checkers right before they took a mid-morning break to throw back some beers and watch the waves roll into shore. The best pizza of my life was prepared for me by a child no older than 10. At his age, I was still mastering the art of telling time on an analog clock, and even now I occasionally slip up. I drank beer with an 8-year-old and got hit on by a 40-year-old. A local bar greeted me with a plate of Arancini, a rice croquette filled with cheese and various types of meat. I sat two tables down from a group of local university students with hair so perfectly gelled I had to stop myself from asking to touch it.The warm weather allowed me to stuff my cardigan into my backpack, proudly rock my sunglasses and throw all cares of calorie consumption into the ocean. If you really want to experience Italy, forget Rick Steves’s book (as it sadly skips over the country’s biggest island), Find yourself a Sicilian friend and hope they invite you home with them for a weekend.
(11/11/11 2:21am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The depth of Europe’s history in relation to the United States’ is undeniable. With countries established thousands of years before the idea of North America was even conceived, Europeans had a head start in establishing neighborhoods and architecture. The facades of ancient buildings feature brick or stone arches, warm colored coats of paint and an undeniably European aura. The age of these buildings paired with cultural differences makes for a unique living situation while abroad. Security in Italy is unparalleled; between the thick wooden doors that open buildings and the wrought iron gates that lead to stairs, Italians have perfected the way to avoid unwanted solicitation.After being buzzed into a building, one must climb flights of stairs in order to reach his or her apartment of choice. It took me all of three days here to realize how Italians thrive on carbs but remain in top shape.Like freshmen at IU, it was necessary to research different parts of Bologna when I was deciding where to live. The center of Bologna is equivalent to the stereotypes that surround campus’ Northwest neighborhood. Inside the city walls, you’re closer to people, places and, as a result, parties. The cost of having these within a 10-minute walk is reflected in the elevated rent that you pay each month. The other part of town, an area where residents are known to live “outside the walls,” is much more reserved and industrial. A noticeable difference is present in residents’ ability to see nature on a daily basis. Beyond the dying basil plant in my urban kitchen windowsill, I sadly can’t tell you the last time I’ve come into contact with Mother Nature.While the differences between the city and suburbs remain the same regardless of the continent, the features of each home are much different. Here, I’ll point out a few of the more notable differences of Italian university living compared to North American.Unlike many universities in the U.S., the University of Bologna does not provide student housing for any pupil, regardless of year. This lack of housing security forces students to be proactive and find their own flyers posted throughout the city. From these flyers, visits are scheduled, and if all goes according to plan, you’ll soon have a new home. If not, you return to the daunting city walls plastered with roommate requests to search for more potential home options that restart the often disappointing Italian housing cycle. Since most Italians return home during weekends to spend time with family, eat their mother’s cooking and wash clothing, they often opt to share a bedroom with another person to cut down on their city apartment rent. While it’s more common than not to see this arrangement throughout Italy, the mandatory year of forced cohabitation as a freshman seems to be enough for many students in the States. While I’ve pined for my dryer after putting on a pair of still-wet jeans or lamented the inability of friends to come directly to my door, I’ve embraced the advantages Italian life offers. — jonsbrl@indiana.edu
(11/04/11 12:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington’s proximity to Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago and other large Midwestern cities makes it a great place to start a road trip. While I’m not sure how safe it is for me to drive a car in Italy, I do know trains are a convenient for weekend getaways. (Don’t think I was above talking in a British accent before being silenced by my colleagues. Harry Potter anyone?)If I told you I’d recently visited the capital of the Veneto region in northern Italy, how would you react? I played this very trick on my family, only to receive emails about how neat it was I got to see one of the little towns of Italy. Unbeknownst to my parents and probably you at this point, this “little town” was none other than Venice.With nicknames like “The Floating City” and “City of Water,” Venice is known around the world for its canal system. Dating back to its inception as a city-state in the ninth century, it was known for its famous leaders and wartime battles. Today, however, the city factors less into politics and more into tourism. The people of Venice wanted a symbol to boast the wealth and prestige their city had earned from maritime trade. This symbol evolved into a residence that found its home in the now famous Piazza San Marco.Located in the safe but ominous-sounding south central neighborhood of Venice is the Palazzo Ducale. Known as “The Doge’s Palace” in English, this sprawling example of Gothic architecture housed both the city’s government and the Doge. A figurehead for the newly formed Republic, the Doge was mostly a symbolic, city-elected figure who had virtually no responsibilities. He served mainly as a representative of Venice to foreign dignitaries who stayed at the majestic home while visiting.The beginning phases of the palace were commissioned by Filippo Calendario, a well-known sculptor and architect who was later sentenced to death because of his affiliation with Marino Faliero. Faliero was the 55th Doge and was sentenced to treason for trying to give himself absolute power. Hundreds of years after its completion, the palace is known today as a tourist attraction that draws international visitors. The palace’s interior features the notable “Scala d’Oro,” or golden staircase, and the Sala del Maggior Consiglio — Hall of the Great Council.What else is in Piazza San Marco? St. Mark’s Basilica is home to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. With Byzantine architecture on the exterior of the church’s large domes and rich mosaics depicting stories from the Bible on the interior, this church is a lasting tourist stop in the principal piazza of the city. For those uninterested in visiting these historic sites, the piazza is home to hundreds of pigeons. With a baguette of bread and a fully charged camera, its possible to have fun without stepping foot inside a landmark. — johnsbrl@indiana.edu
(10/28/11 12:55am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s become a realization that I’ve never mentioned one of the best traits of the city of Bologna, the place I have called home for the last two months: the ability to walk without fear. I’ve never understood exactly how pedestrians are supposed to function in Bloomington. In the unnecessary, two-day-long freshman orientation (no, I’m not still bitter), this crucial aspect of campus life was somehow left out. The sidewalks are full of people usually meandering at a leisurely pace, forcing some to wonder if these slow walkers actually attend class at all. The streets are reserved for the precarious campus drivers who seemingly made a collective decision to inhabit the same Midwestern city. The worst part of any journey on foot is the realization that the street must be crossed. It is then one waits patiently by the ignored pedestrian crosswalks for a break in traffic that allows them to scamper across the street to safety. Imagine a world where pedestrians, cars and bicyclists could exist in harmony. Here, it would be understood that sidewalks should offer ample space that can accommodate many lanes of foot traffic. Citizens out for a stroll would stick close to the walls while businessmen and students with places to go could walk around them while remaining on the sidewalk. As a bonus, these walkways are protected from the elements with porticos. Bicyclists would also have their own lane in the streets (one on either side) that cars would respect. Here, bikers could exercise and travel around the city without having to weave between people on foot and quickly moving cars. In fact, blue signs would be posted throughout the city to remind drivers of their partners onthe road. Cars, the final piece of this utopian transportation society, would still drive more quickly than preferred by those on foot, but they would always stop to respect those crossing the street in the universal, thick, white lines that indicate when a right of way should be yielded.If you’re wondering why buses haven’t been mentioned in this ode to transportation harmony, it’s because I empathize with the problems that befuddle public transportation. I understand buses will sometimes run late because of traffic- or weather-related delays, but I still haven’t fully comprehended why it’s seemingly impossible for them to ever arrive on time.Unlike past failed utopian societies, Bologna not only exists but flourishes. Located in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, this university town is home to more than 100,000 students between the months of September and June. While it fails to be mentioned in many travel books about places to visit in Italy, it makes a great stop for those wanting to sample its world-famous Bolognese sauce. Here in the city it’s known as ragu and tastes much better than its brand name counterpart available in American grocery stores. While you may have grown skeptical about the possibility of traveling the streets of a college campus without fear, know that it happens every day in the land of Italy, where the cars are considerate and the pedestrians are safe.—johnsbrl@indiana.edu
(10/21/11 2:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It doesn’t come as a surprise that fall in Bloomington is featured in the majority of the University’s pamphlets. The rich colors of the trees, the crunchy leaves littering the pathways and the promise of tailgates each Saturday fill the months and might contribute to why many students chose to come to IU in the first place. Missing my favorite season and the caramel-covered apples and hot cider that accompany it was a bit of a struggle, until my experience last weekend.In the United States, October is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Professional teams wear pink jerseys; weekends bring fundraising walks. Here, Europeans embrace the month as one of Chocolate Appreciation. Last Saturday, as Hoosiers were waking up in Madison, Wis., to cheer on the football team to victory (yes, that was sarcasm), I had already arrived in the now-infamous town of Perugia, Italy. A city once overtaken by international news networks covering the case of Amanda Knox, Perugia is now back to being a peaceful town in the hilly and beautiful Italian region of Umbria. Boasting itself as the world’s largest chocolate festival, Eurochocolate is a two-week-long carnival of chocolate. A merry-go-round with horses, elephants and the usual associated animals welcomed people to the event, confirming that I would have the time of my life. While I can by no means mention every chocolate display, a few stand out in my memory. Both sides of the street were lined with vendors promoting various inventions made entirely of chocolate. Functioning clocks, cell phones, utensils and picture frames made of chocolate surrounded me as I was immersed in a world of the celebrated food derived from seeds of the tropical cacao tree. Purchasers of the festival’s Euro Card were able to participate in a scavenger hunt, in which they visited booths around the festival and received free gifts. As a Big Ten student, I was particularly taken by the chocolate liquor booth. Free shots of various chocolate-flavored alcohol were offered. The slogan, “All of the fun with none of the burn,” was not only catchy but true. Perhaps I’ll make millions of dollars from popularizing the sweet liquor back home. The festival didn’t stop with treats for humans. Two stands were dedicated to safe chocolate products for man’s canine companions. Customers who were brave enough to handle a dog among the thousands of festival participants were given free samples to feed their dogs. Large, rotating stands of multi-flavored chocolates crowded the streets. Chocolate flavors featuring peanut butter, caramel and nuts were shaved off and weighed, allowing attendees to try a lot of chocolate without making a big investment. While Bologna is still without trees and doesn’t feature tailgates of any sort, I’ve discovered my
(10/14/11 12:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Long before the days of changing your relationship status on Facebook and tweeting about the romantic things done for you, there were more permanent and public ways to express your feelings for someone. Carving initials into freshly laid concrete and defacing a tree in the heart of campus were just two of the more popular ways to symbolize your love would last forever. Perhaps if you lived in Kentucky or in the southern reaches of the country, you would’ve pursued the classier route of a tattoo on your lower back. Children in grade school followed the less permanent ink route of writing sweet nothings on the backs of their hands during recess. As the Italians have been doing throughout my trip, they’ve again proven the notion ‘anything you can do, I can do better.’ In the land of few trees and cobblestone streets, how were young people in Italy supposed to profess their love for others to see? For them, it was simple: lock it up and throw away the key. Tradition says that a Serbian teacher fell in love with a military man. As he left, he gave her a verbal promise of everlasting love in the form of a marriage proposal. But as some men are known to do, he strayed away from his promise after arriving in Greece. Here he became taken with a local woman and never looked back on his first Serbian love. Heartbroken and lonely, she died alone, without love. To protect their relationships and to prevent themselves from going down the route of the infamous Serbian schoolteacher, local girls began writing the names of their beloved soldiers on padlocks on the day of their loved ones’ departures. Once the soldiers left, the locks were affixed to a bridge until their return. Since then, the padlock phenomenon has spread out of Serbia and become popular most recently in France, Italy and Germany. In these three countries, public bridges have been taken over by a multitude of shiny silver padlocks. Many of these locks are from visiting tourists who want to leave their mark on the country. More recently, it has become tradition for local couples to write their names on a padlock and secure it to a bridge. On their wedding day, the couple travels back to the bridge to release their key together into the water, signifying the security of their love. While the history and traditions surrounding this European custom are rich, governments see the locks as a nuisance. Many countries have had to use desperately needed tax dollars to remove the locks that cause both infrastructure and aesthetic problems. Regardless of the government’s view, locals and tourists alike continue to partake in this unique form of expressing their love. While many European trends travel west across the Atlantic to the States, the lack of bridges in many American communities might cause a barrier to the possibility that this trend will become popular here. But, let’s be honest, does anyone really think the precarious wooden bridges near Ballantine Hall should be burdened with the weight of both students and their love? I didn’t think so. — johnsbrl@indiana.edu
(10/07/11 2:26am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Living in Indiana, you become accustomed to seeing endless fields of soybeans and corn. Much like the Midwest, however, Bologna is situated in a relatively flat part of Italy. But you can find the hills, mountains and valleys outside Bologna by venturing on a train.Last Saturday I journeyed to the historic and picturesque town of Urbino, Similar to the quaint town of Nashville, Ind., the journey to Urbino is filled with winding hills and sloping streets. The old-fashioned city makes the perfect getaway to escape the busy city life of Bologna. In addition, the city has the ever-elusive greenery that Bologna lacks. A city filled with red rooftops and yellow buildings, the cool colors of nature found in Urbino are a welcome change from the mundane scenery of urban life. In Urbino, the streets are lined with markets that remain open during the week, unlike those in large towns. Situated among rolling hills in the Marche region of Italy, little has changed since the great poets and artists of the Renaissance walked the streets. Due to its ideal location, the city played an important role in the Gothic Wars endured by the Romans in the late sixth century. Today, the city has one main tourist attraction: The Palazzo Ducale, home of the city’s dukes since the late 15th century. Easily visible from nearby hills, the palace features many characteristics from the Renaissance. The National Gallery of the Marche is housed inside and is one of the world’s biggest collections of Renaissance artwork with paintings from many influential artists. Featuring more than 20 fireplaces, the palace also provides many opportunities to re-enact Floo Powder scenes from the Harry Potter films. If you only venture to Urbino to burn off the calories incurred from the endless pasta, wine and early morning pizza, your trip will be rewarded with an awesome view and rich history. — Brea Johnson
(09/30/11 1:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The tales of wild weekends overheard at any eatery serving brunch on Sundays in Bloomington might include the “total game.” In the game, people discuss discovering how much they spent at the Taco Bell drive-thru the night before, with the winner receiving the prize of “best weekend.” Taco Bell is the “hot” person you saw at a party last night and wanted to hook up with. A seemingly great idea around 3 a.m. after some socializing, but often more drinking, it loses all novelty after the sun rises and you can see it clearly for what it is. After electing to spend my junior year abroad, I wondered if I wouldn’t miss out on the wonders offered by late night eateries in Bloomington. If you’re thinking I was crazy for worrying about food in Italy, you were right. The land of pasta, pizza and wine is home to a lesser-known invention that may overshadow the aforementioned three: Nutella. The delicious almond, hazelnut and chocolate spread invented by the Ferrero family has been one of the best-selling condiments in Italy since its release in the 1960s. There are even shops called Nutellerias that feature a full menu of items with the chocolate spread as the main ingredient. While it fills the hole left by peanut butter in many of my American peers’ hearts, it’s opened up a whole new world of late night food for me that had previously been monopolized by Chinese food. Enter my new favorite post-clubbing snack: the Nutella crêpe. Though they were invented by the French, these thin pancakes have been perfected by the Italians in their own special way. Bombo Crêpes is a small restaurant serving these delicious novelties, located a mere 15-minute stumble from the university area. Serving only what their namesake implies, they’re open all day and change the toppings accordingly. In the morning, businessmen stop by to pick up crêpes filled with eggs. By the afternoon, requests are made for vegetables and meat. Once the sun has set, the real fun begins as Nutella becomes the dominant topping of choice. I see the process as the sweet treats are freshly prepared in front of me. After a fresh spoonful of batter has been poured on the griddle, I am instructed to pick out toppings. A generous helping of the selected ingredients waits patiently in a nearby bowl as the crêpe cooks. Once the crêpe has finished, it is united with my selection — Nutella, of course — to form a unique snacking experience. The variety of toppings allows customers to personalize their late-night cravings.These warm crêpes cost a smooth 2 euros, allowing me to stay in the range of Taco Bell’s college-friendly prices without the morning-after regret of a Crunchwrap Supreme or the surprise discovery of a debit on your card from the Taco Bell on North Walnut. — johnsbrl@indiana.edu
(09/23/11 1:28am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s happened to all of us. Before heading out to a day full of classes, we check the weather forecast to ensure we’re aptly prepared for whatever Mother Nature is going to throw at us. We either walk around all day in rain boots feeling self-conscious about the squeaking noises echoing as we make our way up the stairs of Ballantine Hall, or we have an unused umbrella sticking out of the side of our book bags. Everyone has waited in the pouring rain, using the ever-trusty Indiana Daily Student as an umbrella while looking desperately for the campus bus.Imagine a world where it doesn’t matter whether it is raining, because either way you will remain dry. Bologna, Italy, is leagues ahead of the rest of the world in terms of preparedness for the nasty mid-day downpours that plague us all. Here, it is possible to walk the length of the city without leaving the comforts of a covered roof.Porticos are porches that extend over the entrance of a building, providing shade in the summer and shelter from the rain. Whether the original architects intended it or not, the porticos also keep smokers protected from the elements. Like many cities in Europe, more than 70 percent of Bologna’s citizens smoke. To protect the inside surfaces of the older buildings, Italian laws have forced smokers to make the move outside. The porticos that cover the city were inspired by ancient Greece and date back to 1058 A.D., a few years after the founding of the University of Bologna. Bologna has the world record for the longest length of porticos throughout a city at about 28 miles.The longest of these covered sidewalks leads to San Luca, a church on the outskirts of town. Beginning at Porta Saragozza, a gate located in the southwestern part of the city, this portico stretches across 666 arches. On the way are shops and small memorials to various saints and churches. The journey ends at the top of Monte della Guardia, or mount guard — a testament to the city’s military that once guarded the citizens at night. This mount is home to Santuario di San Luca, a circular, salmon-pink church with breathtaking mosaics and murals older than America.So the next time you sprint toward a bus with foggy windows, try not to envy the convenience the Bolognese have as they walk leisurely underneath the porticos that shield them from both the elements and the embarrassment.
(09/16/11 2:27am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I have a riddle for you. What do the government, business majors and 70 percent of all straight males hate? Art. Throughout America it has become less important through the years. True to its rebellious roots, America is going in the opposite direction of the world’s most developed countries. One country in particular is far more adept at highlighting the importance of this expressive way of communication: Italy. As a junior studying Italian abroad at the University of Bologna in Italy, I’ll be exposed to various types of art that are either not available, neglected or both in the United States. Attending the oldest university in the world is not without its perks. You’ll travel with me as I tour some of the top museums in the country, attend class at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and discover the city’s most beloved landmarks. The best part? You get to avoid the increased tuition costs and dodge an infuriating exchange rate. Although I like to think of myself as a capable writer, I’m not sure what I could do to fully share the experience of freshly baked Italian bread or creamy gelato. As the fourth week of classes comes to a close at Indiana University and students return to late nights in Wells Library, I’d like to share a few details about this statue I will pass on my walk to the library when (but more likely, if) I choose to study. IU’s Fine Arts Circle boasts the beloved Showalter Fountain. Similarly, Piazza Nettuno is the home of Fontana del Nettuno, a bronze statue depicting the Roman sea-ruling god, Neptune. This statue was designed by Giambologna, the French-born Jean Boulogne, who studied for many years in Rome. Best known for pioneering the Mannerist style, which focused on the movement and limbs of the body alongside the emotion of the face, Giambologna eventually became a sculptor for the powerful Medici family. Giambologna works can be seen around the world, so it is likely that someone reading this article has done the ‘re-enact a statue next to it and take a photo with your friends’ routine more than once around his work. Rarely straying from Roman and Greek gods or ancient biblical characters, he made a name for himself in the sculpting world by being one of the first to focus on the beauty of movement. And he was one of few to perfect it.Unimpressed? Giambologna found a way to make the depiction of a woman’s breasts so real that the papacy began a surveillance of the statue after dark. Now, why is it that straight men are so opposed to art?