)(( hannah mello ))(

Bella Modena !!!

This photo is not my own, but this Piazza Grande at the heart of Modena is my home. The Medieval White Duomo towers above-- its spires in view from my Kitchen window. I travel from one Piazza over-- Piazza Mazzini down the covered passageway to arrive at this very spot. Bicycles are the chief form of chosen transportation. Old Nonne (Grandmas), a Mamma with a child in a seat on the front, another on the back-- Bohemian College students-- All.





This is an above view, from the top of the Duomo spires. I entered the Duomo two evenings ago, after my British housemate Abi let me in on where the entrance is-- hidden amongst its veiled outside corridors of reconstruction. It's still, stone, and quiet. Carvings of the life of Jesus adorn the center Altar beams, stone carved Stations of the Cross along its perimeter walls, and medieval portraits of men and women of faith throughout the centuries hang above its front and center. I sat in the pew-- not alone-- but accompanied by a 20-something boy nearby, several middle aged mammas, and a few elderly women and men sitting at different points around me. There's something very special about being in a place of faith that actually is used as a holy place-- not only a city adornment of history and arcitecture, but a real center of the city's soul.

Here is someone's photo of two men, much like those I passed moments ago, on Via Emilia-- the center strada in Modena-- off of which I live.

I live in the center of the Jewish community in Modena city center. There is a Synogogue at the base of my piazza. Online I found a photo of a Ketubbah (a traditional Marriage lisence-agreement-covenant) specific to Modena, Italia! I will post photos soon of my first day living here-- when there was a Jewish festival put on in my very piazza with 5 hours of traditional Hebrew dance with dance circles for the public to participate in (there were never less than 20 people in each circle) as well as in about 3-4 costumes at different times. When Abi and I weren't watching from the crowd below, we could listen and watch from our apartment windows easily. It was incredible. The crowd didn't wane all night long.

My USB storage device is not allowing me to upload at the moment or else I'd blog photos of my own.
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I have to say-- it's such an odd sensation being here.
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I was sitting in a Parco not far from my home last night for a few hours studying Italian (thanks to my amazing Borders Bookshoppe textbook find-- complete with flashcards which I study while on the bus to my school)-- and I couldn't quite 'get it'. I can't believe I'm here on the other side of the world-- in a country where another language is spoken, another culture COMPLETELY DIFFERENT in every way is lived out everyday, with a history so disparate than my native country's own. It's baffling. I am trying to allow everything to seep through my pores.

I start teaching English on Monday. A Dottoressa (Female Doctor) that asked specifically for an American since she travels to the States quite often. After a 2.5 whirling meeting with my employer (I love how random Italians are!), I am diving into a weekend of exploration.

More to come dear folk. So much more to come. There always is, isn't there? I guess I just wish that leaving the known wasn't so damn scary. :) Ciao for now.

posted by )(( hannah mello ))( @ 6:05 AM