First Week in Sorrento!

This past week in Sorrento has been incredible! I've learned and experienced so much more than I ever could have imagined. The geology in the area is absolutely stunning and the more I learn, the more questions I have. It's amazing to be walking around on so much history and to think that the cliffs where I've been living were created by volcanic ash from an eruption 39,ooo years ago!

There are so many rocks everywhere!! I am in geology heaven here in Sorrento. Being able to wake up and see Vesuvius from the window of Sant' Anna has been a dream come true. Every time I see Vesuvius feels like I'm looking at it for the first time. Before coming to Italy, I didn't understand why so many people would live in such close proximity to an active volcano. Now that I'm here though, there is something so beautiful and captivating about it that just pulls you in. Also, the food here has been delicious! Pesto gnocchi has been my favorite pasta dish and the margherita prosciutto pizza in Naples was definitely the best pizza I've eaten. I've also tried quite a few gelato flavors and Fragola is the best (in my opinion).

Living in Italy has allowed me to learn more about the culture here than I might have if I was only passing through. One big cultural difference (between Italy and the USA) I have noticed is the etiquette on the road. For example, at first glance, the traffic on the roads seems chaotic, but through further inspection there is a system in place. While in the USA, people tend to wait for an opening, Italians will just make one. This behavior on the road is imitated on the sidewalks and in crowds too, making navigating around town a little different than back home.

The first week of class was awesome! I absolutely loved Professor Nave's presentation about volcanology and its connection to the planet and cosmology. I learned so much more about the geologic history of the area and how volcanic activity has shaped the landscape of the Bay of Naples. I had no idea there was a second active volcano west of Naples before a couple days ago. I'm so excited to learn more about Campi Flegri for my research project! I also found my experience in the underground of Naples to be very enriching. It helped me learn about the consequences of WWII better than from a book. Being able to walk through the bomb shelter and try to envision myself in that time was a feeling you could only get from being there.