Allora

Allora is a series inspired by my time studying abroad in Florence, Italy. The word “allora” doesn’t have a single definition; instead it is used primarily as a filler word, with its meaning shifting depending on the context. It’s a word I would overhear often, guiding conversations from one thought to the next. Through this series, I aimed to capture a fuller picture of the 4 months I spent in Italy. Visiting the Duomo or the Uffizi Gallery was every bit as breathtaking as I was promised, but the “filler” moments held an equal amount of importance, if not more. Walking back from the market with a tote full of the best fruit I had ever tasted, seeing where the ocean and mountains meet in Viareggio, and escaping the city air to see the scenery in Cortona all provided new experiences with familiarity at their centers. Fruit was still shared with my best friend (with the day we finally found watermelon being particularly exciting), seashells were still collected, and a cat sighting still stopped us in our tracks. When I look back, it’s not really the museums or churches that I miss. Instead, it’s my favorite cafe remembering my order, becoming a regular at karaoke, or finding quiet pockets of nature away from the city center. The feeling of making a home in an unfamiliar place, even though I knew it would be temporary, is what stuck with me most.