Sixteen days ago, I flew into the Marconi airport in Bologna; tonight I am leaving. When I disembarked the plane, I had an inexplicable sense of familiarity, of adventure. As I look back at the neon yellow "Aeroporto G. Marconi Bologna" sign, I realize that those slightly vague feelings about the unknown became were replaced by warmth, excitement, and feeling at home. I also realize that I have spent sixteen days in Bologna and still have no idea who this Marconi guy is!
What did I love the most about Bologna? In Bologna I found community: the neighborhoods around Alma Mater and via Sacco, where neighbors congregate on park benches and around cafe tables at all hours. With all of the NOISE students, who came together to form an amazing energy and one of the most supportive and open atmospheres I have ever experienced. The big city that comes together under its porticos and on the piazzas, and then doesn't feel quite feel so big. In a few minutes our plane will leave the ground of Bologna, of Italy, and I will say goodbye to the place that welcomed me with open arms to find out more about other people, another culture, and myself.
Will I ever go back to Bologna? Of course! at least, I pray that in the relatively near future I will be back in Bologna. I have come to believe that you leave part of yourself with the people you meet and in places you go. When this happens you can't take that part back, which is why you have family and friends and places that you just keep coming back to.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment