In the Fall of 2010 I made the leap again across the pond to study Fine Arts in Italy. This stop? Venice. Although I wasn't called to food photography at that time, I did want to capture a day in the life...of a student abroad at least. A few moments from my first unchaperoned international trip, barely knowing the language and searching for a contact I only knew by name.
I lived in Venice for three months, studying Printmaking and Photography at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica. Being the only UMass Amherst student, I roomed with several students from Boston University in an apartment a short walk from Piazza San Marco. Here I realized that the size of the American oven is dictated by our love of large turkey for Thanksgiving. The oven above is half the size! And oh, how I miss the dish strainer mounted above the sink. Genius!
Heavy calcium stones on display in Lithography class.
Prints from students and artists alike on display in front of rollers used for inking plates.
While this wasn't the start to my cooking journey, it is quite telling of my, ahem, cooking skills. On a student budget, navigating the grocery store and market was an adventure. The market alone is an experience that is only now becoming commonplace in the US, but we're still a ways from seeing fresh octopus on display. Because it was a challenge sharing our small kitchen with 6 other students, I became fond of the fresh mozz' and ready-made toasts as a snack while waiting for the space to clear out.
BELLO MILANO
Side trip! Being the fashion capital of the world, I went to Milan hoping to absorb that innate Italian sense of style. I can say that my taste has certainly been influenced by the simplicity of Italian clothing. It is also worth mentioning that pajamas outside of the house are a sure-fire way to announce your country of origin. In fact, I learned quickly that even a walk down the grocery aisle warrants wearing your best.
After seeing the mountains of pastries and cookies on every corner I quickly forgot about finding a pair of jeans that fit (no small feat). Instead, I set my sights on finding what I thought to be a taste of Milan. I also happened to be fond of beer and found what one Italian called "a very special place", surprised that a gaggle of wide eyed Americans wandered into one of the few craft beer bars in Italy at that time.
WHEN IN ROME
My beer journey continued! With the help of my beer-brained friends I found another treasure: Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fà.
Translation:
What the f@#$ did you come here to do?
What the f@#$ did you come here to do?
After pushing my way through the sea of people in the piazza I eventually made it to the bar where I ordered a saison of unknown origin.
