Becoming a Resident

I started my day off rather unusually: waking up at 3:30 this morning to hike Mount San Salvatore (the mountain I see every morning from my balcony as I wake up), with my friend James. Why so early in the morning you ask? Well, some older Franklin students had told me that hiking up San Sal to watch the sun rise was something every newcomer should put on their bucket list.

Which makes me wonder.. do I have a bucket list? I find that I have a general list of "things" I think I'd like to do running through my head, but with the chaos of settling into this new life, I haven't truly set out to do any of them yet.. with the exception of San Sal.

The reason I made it my goal this weekend to conquer the mountain was because I needed to get to know my city. After a lot of thought, I've realized that the best way to embrace Franklin and this entire experience  is to establish a relationship with Lugano. To explore it. To discover it's secrets. To observe its people and its traditions.

And so I climbed nine hundred and twelve meters in the dark. Using my friend Callie's head lamp, with my Wigwam hiking socks pulled up to my knees, I set out stumbling through town, half asleep, and up a MOUNTAIN. Once we got to the top, we found a nice patch of grass, and promptly fell asleep while waiting for the sun to rise. After it finally did, I climbed to the top of the church that sits on the summit. I felt on top of the world.

 

Those of you who know me from back home probably would have NEVER guessed that I would hike for two hours.. in the dark. I will openly admit I hated hiking for a long time. But doing so was one of the most rewarding and awe-inspring things I have ever done. As I sit here typing, staring out at this mountain, I can hardly believe that in one day I climbed up to the top and back, cleaned my apartment, went to a club meeting, and made hot apple cider for my dorm building (we are having a potluck tonight). I guess you might say I'm becoming more open to trying new and challenging things.

Oh, and yesterday I was in Italy. Its incredible how casually I can say this! My friends, Ellie, Callie, Cristina, and Ariel and I wanted to take a trip together somewhere. So we started small, with a short one-hour train ride across the border to Como. I had been earlier this spring to visit my cousin Brooke, and stayed with her for a week. I was proud to show my friends this beautiful lakeside italian city. We strolled through the picturesque streets, taking pictures, and then stopping for lunch (which was blissfully much cheaper than eating out in Switzerland). After fattening ourselves with pasta and gelato (our requirements for the day), we picked our way along the Saturday morning market stalls, and then laid down for a nap in a nearby park. It was a perfect day.

Its been an exhausting but extremely satisfying weekend. Time to hit the books. 

Ciao!