I think the most obvious set of experiences to take away from Italy is the visiting of so many cultural heritage sites. This makes a particular impression on an American, it seems, because the oldest places we usually visit are maybe a couple hundred years old. Compare this with a city which is almost a couple milennia old (Pompeii), and this inspires quite a bit of awe.
A section of Pompeii
Italy was full of archaeological sites, art museums, and many giant, old cathedrals. Everywhere you turned, there was something many centuries old, waiting to be explored . . . usually after paying an entrance fee. Which makes sense, because it must cost a fortune to keep all that stuff from falling apart.
Although, technological developments have helped cultural heritage in many ways. The ability to restore and recreate pieces of art and renovate buildings help vastly with the preservation of all forms of ancient heritage. In addition, advertising and the internet have created massive opportunities to market and increase tourism, thereby increasing profits which can be reinvested to improve sites and museums.
An excellent example of cultural heritage.
Yes, Italy has a lot of ancient buildings and cities. To me, it feels like Italy is living in the past, and having a lot of difficulty moving forward because of it. However, I must say, it is incredibly interesting to go to these cities of antiquity. I do find them fascinating.
Italy was a glance into the past, and it reminded me how much America looks toward the future. Overall, this class was a wonderful and educational experience.
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