My grandmother, Millie, my favorite person in the entire world, is 100% Italian through and through. Both her parents came to the United States from Italy, her dad coming through Ellis Island and only knowing Italian. Her mother spoke fluent English and Italian, but her father speaking mostly Italian. They spoke English in their home, despite her father's only knowledge of English coming from his job near the subway. My grandmother spoke fluent Italian, but never really spoke it , showing how important it was for her to be assimliated into American culture.
I grew up knowing I am an Italian, mostly through the delicious food my grandmother would make for holidays and parties. Despite spending everyday of my childhood with the grandmother, I never learned Italian, so when the opportunity came to go to Italy in high school, I could not pass it up. I always knew that my heritage was Italian, but I was never really sure what that actually meant to me. I have always wondered about my cultural background beyond just the homemade sauce.
Despite the 10 hour flights back and forth, my trip to Italy was totally worth it. This trip was one of the best of my life, and I spent 10 days in all different parts of the country. I went to Rome, Siena, Assisi, Florence, Capri, Pompeii, Sorrento, and more. I learned so much, from leather-working, to gladiator fighting, to cooking classes, to museums and churches, and even the local wisdom. I saw the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and so much more. I learned many Italian words, ate tons of gelato, and relished in the traditional food. I was enlightened about my family's culture, and it was an eye-opening trip for me overall.
I, like many Americans, am a melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures, however, being Italian is a huge part of my identity now. Before going to Italy, I would say that being Italian was a part of me, but now it is a integral part of who I am. Going to Italy was one of the true highlights of my life, and it connected me further to my heritage, and deepened my already intimate connection with my grandmother. Although I never learned to speak Italian, I learned how to make dozen of Italian dishes. I mean, who does not like pasta.