05 Dec

During my past fifteen weeks in Italy, I’ve stumbled with many things.  Understanding where I am and how I get to get places.  When reaching my destination and exploring its surroundings, I’ve stumbled to determine styles of architecture, the periods of a buildings’ construction and who the architect may be.  It’s been a challenging and difficult fifteen weeks, but it has offered chances to explore and experience places I’ve never visited before and to think differently than I’ve ever done before.

During my explorations, again I’ve stumbled.  I’ve stumbled on cobblestone paved roads that are different to what I’m familiar with walking on.  The uneven and obstacle-filled roads that consistently halt my walking pace force me to stop and think.  I observe the cobblestone wear patterns, from vehicles and scooters that have challenged their longevity and where only rubber-soled shoes (and high heels) tread.  I’ve seen areas where the ancient cobblestones meet asphalt and I again it sparks my interest and curiosity.  I see areas preserved and see where new components have emerged, but try to keep their identity quiet.   I’ve even seen areas of construction, exposing the unknown underground of Italy’s complicated plumbing and also a different side of the cobblestones.  I study their shape and realize they’re longer than their surface shows. Later, I witness workers reconstruct the roads and use only sand for adhesion, permanently paving the way for years to come.

The way I’ve observed Italy’s cobblestone grounds is merely one example of how my outlook on architecture has changed in the last fifteen weeks.  The way one simple element repeated within a city offers many different stories waiting to be heard.  Of the many cities, buildings, walls and materials I’ve experienced throughout Italy, I’ve realized offer much more than what’s understood at first glance and thought.  It will be interesting to see what awaits me back home that I have observed time and time again.