Adaptation
Trip Start
Mar 22, 2008
1
13
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Trip End
Jun 23, 2008
A conversation in my studio class today brought forth a revelation of sorts about Rome. One of the observations/experiences I most admire about this place is that nothing is perfectly designed; nothing really has the perfect amount of space for its requirements, nor the perfect amenities. Everything here is retrofitted and improvised in some way. Rome is a place of orderly disorder. Yet it works. This goes not only for tangible things but also for the way of life in general. The fact that I have so readily adjusted to living in such tight quarters, with such minimal amenities and no luxuries, is a testament to the human ability to adapt. I may not be the most adaptable person, yet I have. I'm not saying I love everything about this required adaptation, but I am saying that we are all capable of making do with something different (or less) than we are used to. Which brings me to the next point about the Italian people and way of life. While we may judge them for their apparent superficiality...their incredible dress and four-hour lunches and ostensible disregard for hard work, this is indeed the way of life here. The Italians are more interested in LIVING than making a bunch of money. Yes, this is a generalization, but isn't life full of generalizations?
