Italy tastes better with a Tortrix

Do you remember that feeling that invades you when you go to a place that you know will change your life? Well, that’s what Ruth Sandoval, a guatemalan lawyer, felt in 2018, when she started living in Rome, Italy.

Ruth enjoys playing basketball, listening to good music and singing while driving. She is also an intrepid reader, a bold writer and a lover of good stories. Her journey started when she contemplated the possibility of studying a master’s degree abroad and found a great opportunity to study Theology at an Italian university. Then, everything became real: she had the ticket, the university accepted her application for admission, her friends and family were asking her about this crazy dream…

The last time I saw her, she was enjoying a Tortrix (a typical treat from Guatemala) outside Castel Sant’Angelo, while she admitted that she missed that taste so typical of her country. In this interview, she shares her experience living across the pond.

After finding such a good educational opportunity, was it difficult to leave Guatemala?

Yes, because I knew an incredible experience was waiting for me, but first I had to leave my family. We have always been very close and this was the first time that one of us left the country for more than a year.

What was the most difficult thing to do when you arrived in your new country?

The most difficult part, for me, was moving in the streets with some ease, because of the language issue. I didn’t know how to speak Italian, so that made it difficult for me to interact with other people and solve my concerns. Looking for an address and going to the supermarket were not easy at the beginning.

The new language has been a challenge because, despite the classes I receive, it’s very difficult for me to lose my fear of communicating in Italian. But I am taking steps.

How would you describe your process of adaptation to the Italian culture?

During this years, I’ve been interacting with people from different places and ways of thinking. Rome, in particular, has many tourists and immigrants, so I was not the only one in the process of adaptation, fortunately. I live with people who have made it easier for me to feel like I’m home with my family.

In general, how do you feel about living in Italy?

Every day is an adventure. I am very happy with everything I now know about Ancient Rome, because it’s impressive how many things we have to learn. My experience has been amazing, and I know there are some difficulties, but they are of ordinary administration, so they are easy to solve.

Now I’ve made thousands of discoveries, but to name one, here I have realized how wonderful art is and how it elevates you to the point of producing happiness. I have gone to several museums; but every time I return stunned by what I saw.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in Italy?

There have been several things, but I remember one especially: once, to welcome some people, instead of greeting them and saying "Buongiorno", I got "Auguri" which is the way to congratulate who's birthday. Everyone was confused because they thought I was playing a joke.

How would you describe your relationship with Italians?

Very good. I can say that I have Roman friends who are very open and have shown me their sincere friendship; I have also learned from them very much, because they’re really passionate about what they do.

Every time I discover that Italians are lovely people with a lot of culture.

Now that you see the Pope almost every week, does the feeling that each time is like the first one remain?

For me, there is always a feeling that I have seen little, I always look for ways to attend liturgical celebrations where He will be, besides being able to accompany him in the Angelus Prayer, on Sundays. For me, to see the Successor of Peter, it will never be custom; it is a privilege that only people who are in Rome can have and I plan to enjoy it as many times as I can.

Is there anything Guatemala has that you couldn’t find in Europe?

I notice that if you present a problem to Guatemalans, they try to help you or take care that you are having a bad time. On the other hand, if you tell Italians about something that makes you feel uncomfortable, they just say “sorry” and that’s it.

Finally, how does it feel to eat guatemalan food when you are so far from the land where it is produced?

It’s amazing, because it reminds me of my roots. When I think about Guatemala, I remember my family and friends, so it is great when I can refresh those details by having food that makes me feel like home.