Familiarity in an Unfamiliar Place

When I first arrived in Italy, I had no idea what to expect. I tried to get a good grasp on what the differences would be between my "normal" American lifestyle and a foreign one. These differences range from something so essential as communication to the unexpected afternoon naps which every store owner seems to take. However, while I definitely came to italy expecting to be engulfed in a foreign culture, it is so joyfully refreshing to see and experience things that are familiar, especially taking into account the extended amount of time I will be here. Perhaps the most consistent of these familiarities, which seems to be a universal one, is the beauty of nature and the environment, aka an appreciation for horticulture. I came to this realization as we were touring the infamous Uffizi museum in Florence. The most consistent aspect of all the beautiful paintings we witnessed was the scenery and influence of the environment on the famous artists who created them. We were able to see the incorporation of horticulture into art forms in the painting of the Birth of Venus by Botticelli, and also discussed the importance of this incorporation in class. The familiarity and comforting nature of horticulture spreads across all nationalities and is appreciated by everyone, which is what makes the universal love of horticulture so amazing.

Jackie Amdor