Being Milanese

Ciao a tutti!   Buon giorno e come state??  Va bene.  Today is beautiful, about 19 degrees (yes I've switched to Centigrade since THE REST OF THE WORLD EXCEPT THE US uses it) and extremely sunny (well as sunny as you get in Milan-- thank you pollution).  I'm just sitting outside on my balcony, enjoying the beautiful weather and soaking in this beautiful Italian morning.

As I glance at the apartment building across the street, I can't help but notice that everyone has their windows cracked open, letting the cool morning air flow into their apartments.  You can't help but take a deep breath, relax, and acknowledge that life really couldn't be more perfect.

I only have 5 and a half weeks left here in Milano... I can't believe it's already May!  As jealous as I was of my friends whose programs have ended and have started to head back to the states, I can't help but brag about how lucky I am to be able to live in Europe for one more month and experience this amazing time of year.  All of the flowers and trees have blossomed here, the purple lilacs are magnificently colorful and so pungent that you can smell them from across the street.  Milanese have finally started to dress in bright colors and white- a nice contrast from the black hues they've been sporting all winter.  Large flower beds spill from every balcony.  Scooters and bicycles show up in droves along the packed streets.  It is finally spring in Milan and I'm loving every second of it.

Parco Sempione is my second home here.  It's very similar to Central Park in NY in that it's a large park in the middle of a huge city.  The grass is so green, the small ponds sparkle as the sun hits its surface, and there are millions of people walking and biking through it's paved pathways.  Hoards of people flock to lay on the grass and sunbathe.  As conservative as Italians dress, there is no modesty once at the park.  Women strip down to their bras and try to absorb every last ray.  Men pull up their shirt for any chance they can at some extra color.  Little children run around in itsy bitsy swimsuits, playing ball and enjoying being outdoors.  It's been a real treat to watch the Milanese on the weekends at the park.  They truly appreciate the park, the time they have with their families, and the unbelievable weather May has brought.  Just yesterday, I saw many families playing frisbee and paddle ball with each other, without another care in the world.  On any given day at the park, you'll see at least 10 different pick up soccer games.  Ohhhh CALCIO... I wish Americans loved you as much as Europeans do.

As I sit at the park, and absorb Milanese life, a paddle ball flies and lands on my towel.  "Qua!" I throw it back to the young boy.  From my throw he hits a mean backhand straight to his father.  "Bella!" I applaud the boy on his mad skills.  Walking home, I realize that this whole semester has truly been about culture- absorbing as much as I possibly can.  And after 4 months of desperately trying to fit in, I realize that it'll never happen for me.  I'll never be the Italian screaming "Vaffanculo!" waving my hands.  I'll never be the gorgeous 6 foot, skinny, bronzed woman dressed to the 9s.  I'll never be the businesswoman that takes 3 hour lunch breaks and doesn't feel bad about it.  If these last 4 months have taught me anything, it's that no matter whether I fit in or not, I am so appreciative of the differences in this world.  I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to soak up Italian culture this semester, to understand how important their culture is to them, and to watch their daily life unfold.  It's been a most fabulous experience and I am so glad I can spend the next month truly appreciating it.  And you know what?  Not fitting in is finally okay with me.  Antonio's friends say I look like the stereotypical American woman- bella.  That's all I needed to hear.