Submitted by Ella Krudop on the 2023 summer session program in Volterra, Italy…
In the first week being here we started to explore right away. On the first day after visiting the bank and the museum, we walked around the town of Volterra. We sat down at a small restaurant and had some appetizers and drinks. It was interesting how different restaurant service is in Italy versus America. In America you usually get sat by a host and then your server is constantly coming up and checking in and giving their opinions on the food. In Italy, we just sit down and the waiter comes up, takes your order and that’s it. We enjoyed sitting outside and enjoying the nice weather and view and it was kind of nice not having a server come and check up on us, we were able to just sit and relax. We also did some shopping on our first day, mainly in the alabaster shops. I bought some jewelry for my mom and it was surprising how less expensive things are here versus America. The necklace I bought was around $7 USD, whereas in America I would expect it to be closer to $20 USD. It was interesting how well the locals could understand us, coming here with no previous knowledge of Italian, I was expecting it to be a little difficult to communicate. But instead, we were able to talk to the locals and workers in English, and they were able to understand and respond. We even asked some of the workers in the local shops questions about bathrooms, or foods, and they were all very helpful and were patient with us. In America, if someone doesn’t speak English it’s much harder for them to find help, and people often get annoyed and aren’t very helpful. After having such an eventful day, it has made me excited for the rest of this month and learning more about how different the culture is here. (Submitted during Week 1)
Today, we had an amazing day trip to the beautiful city of Siena, which was a refreshing change of scenery from our time spent in Volterra. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for Volterra initially. It was described as a small Italian town, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, over the past week, my perspective has completely shifted, and I’ve come to love this little town more than I ever imagined. When we first arrived in Volterra, I was a bit unsure about spending two whole weeks in such a small place. The drive through the outskirts of town didn’t give us much to go on, and I wasn’t sure what there was to see or do here. But as we explored the winding streets and stumbled upon the unique shops and charming restaurants, I quickly fell in love with the charm and character of Volterra. It has a special atmosphere that is hard to put into words. After visiting Florence for the weekend, while I loved the crowded streets and large city, reminding me of my home in Chicago, I found myself missing the small and quiet town of Volterra. Florence was fun with its busy streets and popular attractions, but it was also quite touristy, and I missed the authenticity of Volterra. Our visit to Siena further highlighted the unique qualities of Volterra. In Florence and Siena, I felt like I was often surrounded by very touristy places, and even some American stores that were chains and I had already been in 100 times. One of the main reasons I chose to visit Italy was the amazing culture that comes along with it, and being in Volterra I feel like the small shops and local establishments give it a genuine feel that is hard to find in larger cities. It feels like a place where the community is proud of its traditions and eager to share them with visitors. In Siena and Florence, we saw their Duomos, which were so beautiful and can’t compare to anything in the US. It amazes me the amount of detail and work they were able to put into them, even having fewer resources that we have today. Seeing the amazing landmarks of the large cities made me grateful we had the opportunity to visit these different cities. Learning about the annual horse races in Siena was also fascinating. While we had seen videos about them before, being in the main square and imagining the excitement and energy of the live event was something else. The smaller size of the square added to the thrill, as I could imagine the horses riding past, close to the crowds. As I reflect on our experiences, I am genuinely amazed by how much I have come to appreciate and enjoy Volterra. I’ve loved being able to talk and get to know so many of the locals and help me grow more as a leader. It has become a place that feels like home, even though we’ve only been here for a short time. Each day brings new discoveries and moments of awe as we continue to immerse ourselves in the rich culture and history that permeate this enchanting town. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and excited for what the rest of our trip will bring. (Submitted during Week 2)