Our last day! I’m so sad to think that a trip that I’ve been anticipating for months is nearly over! At the same time, I’m so excited to head home tomorrow. I miss my cats and family/friends at home.
Also, practically everyone on the trip has been sick in some form or another, and apparently it’s my turn. So I’m ready to be in my own bed and sleep off this sickness.
Today we visited Hearst Magazines, a large corporation that is the parent company of major magazines like Elle, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.
Today’s visit might have been my least favorite. Yes, the facilities are great and the people are friendly enough, but I’m not necessarily a fan of what these companies are doing.
For example, one of our students asked about the inclusivity of non-typical models in the Italian industry, citing how there’s been a large push in the United States recently for healthy, un-retouched and “real” models. One of the hosts showed the cover of one of the latest Elle editions saying how the model wasn’t thin. The model, honestly, could have been a size 2 or 4, max.
Along these same lines, the hosts were asked about photoshop and if the industry was changing to lessen the use of the computer editing software. This was met with a chant of “Photoshop! Photoshop! Photoshop!” from the host and an explanation of how they love using the software on their models. Continuing on to say that the magazine “loves the natural look.” A contradiction, much?
Maybe it was a language barrier, but I found a lot of it disturbing. Another industry I’d never work in: fashion. Not saying that the United States isn’t guilty of this body-shaming trend, but there has been more of a push recently to highlight women of every shape, size, and otherwise. But still, so many industries rely on the females with “perfect figures,” from television to music to fashion. It’s kind of sickening. As long as you’re striving to be the best you and you’re comfortable in your skin, who cares? It shouldn’t matter. Beauty is only skin deep, right?
Anyways! After my suffering through that, Victoria and I went downtown to grab some lunch and pick up some last-minute souvenirs for family and friends. When we got there, Vic and I decided to go a little ways away from the Duomo to get lunch, figuring it might be cheaper and it would give us the chance to explore.
Explore we did. To say we got a little lost and turned around would be an understatement. And to top it off, nowhere we walked had any form of a restaurant. Not a cafe, not a bar, not even a gelateria! It was a fairly ritzy part of the city, but even the rich eat… right?
Eventually, we did stumble upon something, but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. The food was good but, honestly, I was just happy to sit down for a little bit.
The one thing I’ve loved about being here is the indoor-outdoor restaurants. It’s really spoiled me. I’m not going to want to go out to eat at home anymore unless I’m able to sit outside. I love people watching.
Being lost with no destination is one thing, but being totally lost trying to find a bus stop is another, and we experienced both in one day. Lucky us!
After eating and making our way back to the Duomo (our starting point) to shop a little bit, Vic and I decided it was time to head back to the hotel to freshen up before the group meeting and dinner. Serena had given direction to the bus stop from the Duomo, and at the time, they seemed easy enough. They probably were, but not for someone who is directionally-challenged.
Vic and I followed the instructions, ending up at a bus stop that clearly wasn’t the one we were meant to be at. While we were busy reading the sign, an old Italian man got off the bus that was idling at the stop. He rattled off some Italian that I didn’t understand, presumably asking what we were looking for. This man didn’t speak a lick of English, and neither I nor Vic speaks Italian. Somehow, through a series of typing out the name of streets, pointing, and guessing, he lead us to the correct bus stop. A total stranger went out of their way to help two American college girls. It warms my heart, honestly. People like this man are the reason that I still believe there’s good in the world.
We made it back safe and sound to attend the group meeting, talking with everyone about our favorite visits and thanking the people who helped to put together the trip. From there, our group headed to our final group dinner, which was incredible. The food was good, but the company was better. I’m really going to miss all of the people who I’ve grown close to throughout these past two weeks. Some have graduated and some I may never have a class with again. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m appreciative that I got to spend it with some of the most incredible and hard-working people I’ve ever met.
Tomorrow, we head home after an amazing two weeks. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. There were moments that weren’t perfect, but life isn’t perfect. It’s all part of the experience. I’m thankful for every moment, the good and the bad.
Next stop: Pittsburgh!