BEEP. BEEP. My alarm clock drones just as groggily as I do at six on a Sunday morning. As I get ready for work I think about the day ahead. After I get off work at noon, I will spend the rest of my day juggling doing laundry, finishing homework, tutoring my sister, studying for the SAT, and making dinner. As I plan out my chaotic afternoon, my mind drifts to a happier time. I am reminiscing of my trip to Italy and wishing I could return.
This was my first trip out of the country and I gained so much wisdom from it. Being enveloped in another culture taught me how to learn from the ways of others and appreciate everything this world has to offer. Italy is a beautiful land full of wonderful people with wonderful customs. Italian society knows how to relax. The inclination to be calm and enjoy time succeeded my tendency to rush life. An example of this relaxed lifestyle is a typical Italian dinner. In America, we eat in order to sustain life and refuel. On the contrary, dinner in Italy is not just a pit stop; this meal is a time for savoring local cuisine and enjoying family and friends. There was no need for me to feel guilty about all the gelato and pasta I consumed due to the immense amount of walking I did. It was invigorating to walk the same cobblestone streets once walked by enslaved gladiators, Catholic saints, and Roman emperors.
I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with my school choir. Therefore, I got to sing in places I had only dreamed of. It was awe inspiring to hear my voice ringing through the domes of the Pantheon or Saint Peter’s Basilica. I could almost hear the statues of past popes whisper the chants and the angels on the frescos sing along in praise. My first trip out of the country has awakened a sleeping giant inside of me. I now feel a need to experience new cultures and surround myself with the unfamiliar. I am truly blessed to be able to experience what I experienced. I will never forget my Italian adventure.
BEEP. BEEP. Today, my alarm clock is mocking me with is wake up call. As I get ready for school, I think about the day ahead. I have a quiz first period, a test third period, and piles of homework. As I think about my busy day my mind drifts to a happier time. I am reminiscing of my trip to Italy and wishing I could return.
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