The weather has been pretty rough throughout my month in Portovenere. Lots of wind, lots of rain, lots of lightening, and lots of cloudy days. As we wind down to our final two nights, the sun is shining brighter than ever during the days. It’s a lovely way to go!

Today was our last class meeting (yes, even I forgot I was in Italy for school). We discussed the ins and outs of the European Union and Italy’s role in it. We talked about American and the integration of American culture into Europe after WWII. It was strange, but it hit me! Hershey chocolate, blue jeans, jazz music, rock music, whiskey…so many culturally significant things I had seemingly forgotten existed in our American “culture.” I’ve spent enough time in Europe that I’ve been saturated and so in love with European culture that I’ve forgotten about the good ole new and fresh American culture. We have culture, too. Sure there are no Roman ruins next our grocery store, but there’s a million USA films that have influenced the world. There’s peanut butter. There’s apple pie! THERE’S NEW YORK FASHION WEEK!

My roommate, Halie, and I walked around Portovenere this afternoon trying to soak in every last piece of it. I wore a paisley shift dress with a brown belt for added shape. We weaved in and out the tourist shops. We tasted some of the best pesto I’ve ever had in my life. We bought gifts for our family members. I found some great ceramics that were hand painted by local artists and I bought myself this fantastic ring. I have a tradition of buying myself one semi-decent piece of jewelry. Last summer I bought myself these great handmade earrings in Firenze. Today, I spotted some interesting pieces in a store window and insisted on checking them out. I’m not usually a ring person, but the rings that this store had on display were unbelievably gorgeous. Price tags ranged from 9 euro to 95 euro. Ok, I can’t do 95 euro. I was willing to shell out about 30 euro. I spotted this great piece. Silver. Real silver. It was a flower design. I fell in love. I nervously asked the price. 20 euro. DONE AND DONE! I’m wearing it now and admiring it all the while. I love it!!!

After shopping we ran into my friend Gianrico who works at the restaurant at the end of the peninsula. Tonight he is throwing a “silent disco” in the castle his restaurant is built into. Esentially everyone will be wearing head phones. It’s going to be so cool! It’s 30 euro for women and 50 euro for men. I think that going to a silent disco in a small Italian town that’s being held in a castle is a once and lifetime kind of thing. I’m going. He’s giving my friends and I a 10 euro discount anyways! Plus, I’m sure we’ll get some free wine! Now what to wear… I want to blow these locals away before I leave. Got to leave a lasting impression…