Living the Tramontana life
As a world explorer and a french traveler I imagined my journey in Italy to be easy, but it has been otherwise.
I came in Italy to do my internship as I found an offer in ACARBIO NGO (Associazione Coastiera Amalfitana Biosfera).The NGO is situated in Tramonti, the rural area of Amalfi Coast. During previous interviews, before the internship starts, I have been aware that it is very rural. For me, this was fine, even though I got use to city places since I moved from the family house. Indeed, I grew up in the country side of France, in a small village of less than 100 inhabitants until my 17’s. However, the rural area I was living in is very different from Tramonti! When I arrived, I lived a culture shock!
Tramonti is more populated, 4,000 inhabitants, but it is also more spread! It is situated hinterland of Amalfi Coast region and it is surrounded by the mountains. Everything is authentic and local, it is quite landlocked as there is only one single small road for the whole area. The climate is also more wayward.
Since day first, I was blown by the landscape: the shape of the mountains, its steepness and the multiple terraces! It was also super lush. People were farming, and during winter they clean the land to prepare it for cultivation, thus there were smoke in every corner of the mountain.
Fun fact, when I arrived I had this impression of “déjà vue”, it felt like I was back in Sri Lanka! — You know, this amazing picture of the rural zone of South-east Asia, where they cultivate the land on terraces. — I got back immerged in this setting as it was very green everywhere! Also, it was sunny but still very humid. The mini-cars and mini-trucks also remind me of the vehicle, commonly call tuk-tuk, that we often see in South-east Asia.
The journey got complicated when I had to adjust myself from the place: crossing mountains to get from one place to another, housing condition and language barrier. First, walking in Tramonti is the main sort of transportation, unless you have a car or super strong legs to bike on hills. I remember my first day going for work: nice dressed, back pack ready and computer in a handy bag, definitely not dressed to take a wild steep path into the wood. Well… I did not imagine the route for the office like that. Second day: you review the way you dress!
Also, I did not speak Italian, and it was interesting to experience language barrier again. I imagine that it would be easy to understand and learn Italian as I am native french speaker. These two languages are pretty similar after all. Yet, it is not that simple! People speak fast, with idioms. Also, they kept their regional language: Neapolitan language! Thus, I felt some much frustration not being able to understand locals and to not be understood. It is something I did not experience for years but it is definitely a wakeup call as well as a reminder of what my parents may feel when they go abroad.
Overall, during my first days in Tramonti, it felt like I was playing in the french movie “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tits” or the Italian version “Benvenuti al Sud”. Pretty funny movies!
So yes, I GOT A CULTURE SHOCK! Italy is a neighbour country and I imagined the culture pretty similar to French culture. It should have been easy to adapt myself as I am used to live and travel abroad. But when you come to Tramonti, you are deeply immerged in an authentic rural experience, in a mountain area, surrounded by a beautiful wild and tamed nature. This was definitely a challenge for me!
Now that I am quite adjusted, I cannot deny that it feels good being in a natural setting, where life is serene and warmth thanks to the welcoming Tramontana inhabitants!
