Twelve Days in France and Italy - Essay Example

Twelve Days in France and Italy In the summer of 2004, I had the opportunity to participate in a cultural and educational trip around Europe. Definitely, it was one of the most gratifying and educational experiences of my life. The group was composed of one hundred Puerto Rican teenagers, and four history professors. I was excited that finally, I was going to be able to visit the other side of the world, to experience and interact with different cultures. This trip truly proved to me how travel does broaden the mind. There is so much to enjoy, the art, the people, the sensations of new places, and helped me to understand that every culture is different. I learned that the French were quite different in temperament to the Italians and that I preferred the latter's approach to life. But I realized how open I am to the cultures of others, and how much I enjoy learning about them. Our first stop was the French capital, Paris. We arrived there late on a cold, rainy night and I remember how amazed I was, staring out of the window at the colorful Paris avenue, the famous Champs Elysee. As the bus moved through the city, I was impressed with the bustling yet organized activity, and the marvelous architectural structures, like the Arc de Triomphe, the famous museum of the Louvre, and eventually, I saw the Eiffel Tower. Everywhere, lights twinkled through the rain, as if all the city was alive with gentle movement. We had dinner that night in the Eiffel Tower's restaurant and I ate a typical French chocolate crepes. This was my first experience of French cuisine, so I had to take the opportunity and taste it. After dinner, I remember gazing with awe at the incredible lights of the perfectly laid out city of Paris. At last, I was capable of understanding why people refer to Paris as the "city of lights." On our way back to the hotel, I admired the reflection of the Eiffel Tower's lights in the River Siene, and this has been an enduring memory of the beauty of the place, for me. The next morning we went to the famous Louvre Museum. It was incredible to see the variety of art that it contained; from ancient Christian sculptures, to the modern, contemporary paintings of Picasso. The museum provided countless artistic perspectives, showing life as seen from and within different cultures. Of course, I remember the Mona Lisa, it would have been impossible not to visit the Museum and not take time to gaze on her face. After having lunch at the Louvre, I decided to take a cup of coffee in a nearby restaurant. While in the coffee shop, I was impressed by the French people's elegance and courtesy. However, it seemed strange that it was so silent there. There were no televisions or radios blaring out noise, and people sat alone, having their coffee. Everybody in the coffee shop was silent, reading newspapers - some were even writing poetry. It was certainly very different from my Puerto Rican culture. The people in my country usually have their coffee in groups, listening to the radio or the television news. My impressions of the city were first, how beautiful and well-designed it was, and next, how calm and orderly the place, people and activity there appeared. After spending another five days in Paris, during which my first impressions were confirmed, we headed to our next destination, Italy. Rome was very different from Paris. On our way to the hotel, I could see, far away in the distance, the astonishing structure of the Roman Coliseum. The city was certainly a lot older than Paris. But I was delighted by the way in which the modern and ancient combined, with a lively, more vibrant 'buzz', going on, more chaotic than Paris, but people seemed happy. I was wondering how, in ancient times, the Romans could have constructed such amazing buildings, still standing and intact, after thousands of years. It was magnificent to be able to view all this history and grandeur. We arrived later in the afternoon, exhausted from the long journey. The group leaders decided to give us a free night to rest. While I was in my room, I was surprised by the noisy streets of Rome, very different from the streets of Paris. This was certainly a more vivid place, filled with music and laughter and life. I noticed how differently the Italian people behaved, how they talked and shouted, and how the language was so musical, it sounded as though people were singing. The Italians themselves were more spontaneous and outgoing than the French people that I met in Paris. Everyone smiled and was so friendly. I had the impression that in Rome, enjoying life and laughter were more important than living an orderly, well behaved life, such as I had experienced in Paris. However, the Italians were still respectful of the great places of Rome, as I found when we visited St. Peter's Basilica, where the statue of Micelangelo's 'Pieta' was magnificent. I will never forget the Pantheon, with its huge dome, and the light striking through its center, a monumental architectural feat. After spending a week in Italy, it was time to head back home. In terms of broadening the mind and enjoying new experiences, the trip definitely heightened my understanding and changed the individual that I was back then. My appreciation of the differences in people and places, and how they add to both education and enjoyment of all things new, had definitely grown. I was able to understand how every culture is different from each other, and the importance of art as an expression of life, both in the present, and within a culture's history. I recognized how cultural differences add to the excitement and interest in life, and how learning about such things and appreciating the differences can bring a great deal of pleasure and education into life. I would say that I found the French people to be polite and elegant, and their capital city Paris, quite a wonderful place, which I am glad to have visited. In contrast, I have to say that the Italian people have a greater warmth and willingness to express joy in life, which had a greater appeal for me. If I am truthful, I must admit that the ancient glory of Rome captured my heart and imagination more than the elegant, but organized way of life in Paris. As a result of that trip, it has become one of my ambitions to travel and see as much of the world as I can, learning about the people and the places, just by being there and enjoying the differences, and looking out for what makes us similar. I hope to do this very soon. Read More