Submitted by Courtney Mainwaring on the 2016 winter session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Philosophy…
This morning, the group and I traveled to the beautiful town of Orvieto. Sitting atop a cliff in the Italian countryside, Orvieto was a welcomed change from the bustling, tourist city of Rome. I also felt a strong desire to go as my grandparents (who are Double Dels!) suggested it. Not only were the views astonishing and the shops quaint, but the people we met were also particularly impactful. Upon arriving at the train station, we met a couple who has traveled to Orvieto in three month intervals five times. They encouraged us to let our curiosity guide us as we explored the city. Following the couple’s advice, we made a fortuitous stop to a shoemaker. Here, we met Federico and Hannah. Federico is the owner who makes handcrafted leather pieces and Hannah is his wife. Sincerely welcoming and interested in our travels, they spent an hour of their day speaking with us. Hannah is from Ohio and met Federico while studying abroad. She writes poetry and truly enjoys the Italian culture (although, she does miss Thai and Mexican food). Federico was born in Rome and opened his business when he was just 17 years old! Our conversations left us feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with others despite the cultural barriers. I look forward to my next few weeks in this incredible country!