Piazza's

Throughout our time in Rome we have visited many different places and settings. In my opinion I think seeing Rome from the tourist areas is much different than seeing and experiencing Rome in the civilian areas. All over Rome there are many Piazza's. A piazza is a town square where many Italians go with their friends to eat, drink, talk, or eden just to hang out. They are usually always very crowded with many different things to do.

The most exciting piazza I have seen so far is Piazza Navona. During the day Navona will have many painters out in the square, many shops open with people, and also a lot of outside resturants filled with people talking and eating. At night Navona is very much the same. However; at night it will be completely lit up with lights and instead of painters out there will be musicians playing and singing. There are also many beautiful and historical fountains decorating the square. This piazza is very beautiful, and much like all the other piazza's, it gives the tourist a very good insight to how Rome really is.

I think the piazza's describe Rome because it shows how relaxed Italians really are. All around the city we see people rushing and in a hurry to get somewhere else, but in a piazza it is very different. People aren't rushing around at all they are enjoying the time they have outdoors and with their friends. For example one of the biggest cultural facts we've learned while in Italy is that Italians never get drinks to go. They always sit down and enjoy their coffee or expresso with a friend. This can be seen immediatly in any piazza.

I also think in piazza's you can learn about the culture by looking at the numerous amounts of art everywhere. There are always painters and paintings sitting out showing off their love for their country, which resembles how every Italian is. I've learned that Italians all have the upmost respect for Italy. There are also fountains and historical buildings in a lot of piazza's that have been there for hundreds even thousands of years. The fact that these pieces of art are still standing and being honored shows a lot about the amount of respect Italians have for their surroundings.

From what I've seen so far piazza's also show a big difference between how Americans act and how Italians act. Back home I think it is very rare for a big group of people to just be "hanging out" outside the way that Italians do in piazza's. Usually Americans are in malls shopping or inside at a resturants eating but Italians are much more relaxed when it comes to the secular side of things. They enjoy each others company I think more often then you would see Americans do.