Ella Rose Final Reflections

 

As our journey through Italy comes to a close, I’m able to reflect on the learning experiences that most impacted me. The first that comes to mind is our lemon grove visit in Amalfi. While hiking up the hillside, we saw many abandoned terraces which increase the risk for landslides. However, there is no longer enough money in lemons to motivate farmers to maintain these terraces. This was affirmed by the owners of the lemon grove we toured, well over half their income comes from tourism, not their produce. It’s also difficult for them to find skilled workers in Italy, all their seasonal labor comes from abroad. However, the owners clutch tightly to the bits of tradition they’ve been able to keep. Other than lemons, they only sell lemon curd and limoncello, which are made in small batches with minimal ingredients. It was interesting to see how traditional Italian industries are adapting to modern stresses and demands.

Another notable learning moment was visiting the cathedral in Orvieto. It would be hard to forget the intricate, colorful mosaics and carvings, especially having visited on a sunny day and seeing the gold inlay in full effect. But the purpose of the cathedral sticks in my mind just as much as its sparkling exterior. It was built during the Reformation, and the entire chapel is dedicated to Mary, a figure only worshiped by Catholics. The beautiful mosaics, frescoes, and architecture were meant to draw people in and remind them of the Church’s power. Most notable is a fresco detailing the apocalypse and the eternal suffering Protestants will endure. This cathedral was a fascinating example of the politics and architectural propaganda used by the Catholic Church in Italy.

My favorite experience we had in Italy was hiking up to a shepherd’s encampment along the Path of the Gods in Maiori. We did a lot of hiking during this trip, but the sun dancing over the turquoise Mediterranean and the musical clanging of the goat’s bells made this trek especially magical. We were also able to witness the tradition of transhumance and hillside life. There were multiple goatherds along the way, and we crossed paths multiple times with a few men and their mules hauling building materials. However, this too has been touched by modernity. The shepherd we visited is popular on social media (according to Alessio) and relies on the additional income from tourist lunches. It felt like everywhere we went in Italy, there was a (sometimes precarious) balance being found between tradition and the 21^st century.

This trip has been an incredible opportunity to explore another culture, and I will remember these experiences, and lots more, for the rest of my life!