Okay, I have a million thoughts now that I'm back in the states. Like, it's actually difficult to categorize how many things I have floating around out of reach.
So, instead of doing anything in-depth just yet, I'm going to make some general notes:
1. Everyone has rose-colored glasses for geographic locations and cultures. People don't realistically see the problems that a society has when they're in love with it.
2. Everyone in Italy smokes.
3. Everyone in Italy is far more formal and moderate than Americans. We're more extreme, either more or less eccentric than average. We're more emotive and expressive- more likely to be happy, angry, sad, etc. in public. This isn't necessarily good or bad, but I think it makes people far more boring.
4. Systems hold your hand in America for fear of accidentally leading you to believe that a stupid action is either safe or correct. Foreign lands don't seem to give a shit if you get lost because of horribly nonsensical signs and directions. Again, not necessarily good or bad, and frankly, I think America could stand to do a little less hand-holding. But the French? Oof. They're intentionally convoluted.
5. Everyone thinks they're better than everyone else. Moral of the story: We're all arrogant and pretentious fucks. We're all flawed. We're all opinionated, and we all think our opinions are best.
6. No one is fat outside of America.
7. Holy shit, foreign women are gorgeous.
8. Holy shit, foreign women with accents.
9. I am probably not likely to be terribly impressed by any nation. Each has its share of really absurd and stupid problems. Sure, Italians are more relaxed about life, but they're less driven, less motivated, less passionate. And sure, Americans are probably harder workers in general, but we're also workaholics with an unhealthy obsession for money and power, having idealized this notion of being "rich" and "making it." We allow our quest for material possessions to overshadow the simple quest for happiness and health. A positive psychologist's worst nightmare.
10. Venice's architecture is beautiful, but in all its grandeur, how many lives were ruined in its creation? How many lives were broken to create each church? How many buildings were used for subjugation, prejudice, and hatred? The history is fascinating, but it's also disgusting. By glossing over the ugly truths of history, we're complicit in their repetition in the present.
11. Every store in Venice is a mask store and/or a scarf store.
12. I have latched on to idle wishes and sentimentality where I must focus on practical endeavors and self-improvement.
13. Airports are the worst ever.
14. Ever.
15. Don't walk to the store in 0 degree weather and a foot of snow. It's a bad idea.
16. Venice was incredibly cool, and it was the experience of a lifetime, but not because any individual thing was gorgeous, or even because I got to get lost in the streets, but because I am tentatively learning that all places are awful in their own ways; sometimes subtle, and sometimes quite conspicuous.
17. Trying new things doesn't kill you. This one was important.
18. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a great movie with many thoughts about the intersectionality between human experiences creating life. It also addressed very human sentiments about death, relationships, starting over, finding meaning in life, and doing what makes you happy.
19. I love who I am, and I hope I do not doubt my worth as often anymore. If I never doubt my worth, I'll become complacent and egotistical.
20. The food isn't any better in Venice. It's made from more natural ingredients, so it's arguably better for you, but as far as taste goes, their pasta is no better than ours.
21. People think I have a really good Italian accent, but I just felt like a jackass trying to blend in despite knowing just four words of the language.
22. I really want a cat.
23. Buses stop running during snow emergencies, leaving you stranded out of state.
24. Money is not worth health and sanity.
25. Life is beautiful and complicated.
I have a lot of thoughts, but it's very late, and I have a lot more processing to do. I can't help but feel as though I'm treading ever closer to a great journey. It is... Faexing.
-
Waddles
Phil loves Gravity Falls. I've spread the goodness to another soul.
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