Going up the Mountain

Companionship is one of the things that I have had to deal with in my life. Being the middle child does not make it easier. I am used to being ignored and to just go with the flow when it comes to life and doing things that others want to do. One thing that really stood out to me in Petrarch’s work is that he needed the perfect companion to accompany him on his journey up the mountain. I think that I have found the similar plight while I have been in Italy. The hardest thing that I have experienced is the desire to be alone. Living in an apartment, it is difficult to find a place without another person in the room. And living in Italy, where there is no air conditioning, there is difficulty finding a room that is quiet because of the noises coming in through the window.  Now that I am more familiar with the territory I would feel some comfort in going out alone, but that is not something that we have been advised to do. Also I don’t really want to go wandering around in a foreign country alone. So picking a companion is something I am very familiar with. If I want to go somewhere and think I would pick a person different than the one I would pick to go shopping. I think the fact that Petrarch picked his brother; who became a monk, is not a coincident. His brother was able to find the correct path up the mountain without getting side tracked while searching for an easier route. If this piece was written in 1352 like some scholars suggest than this piece could show Petrarch’s belief that becoming a monk was the most successful and pure path up the mountain of enlightenment. The fact that Petrarch kept searching for another path and got lost and discouraged added to the effect of the allegory. What this means is that the pathway to heaven can be tricky. It is easy to get distracted while looking for your own way up. However, if you follow the path set in front of you than you can achieve success more rapidly. Once he reached the top he reproached himself for the journey up there and for his longings when he should be content with what he has. I think this is very applicable to this trip. I do not long to be home; in fact I want to stay in Italy forever. I am content here. I was a bit concerned before coming over that I would be terribly homesick, but that hasn’t happened yet. I think that this trip has been placed in my life at the time when I needed it most. The people I am studying with could not have been a more varied group, yet our dynamics work in ways that improve the educational experience. I am completely content with where I am in relationship to the universe. This is what Petrarch was going for. You need to be satisfied with what god has given you and not long for anything else. Use the place, people and surroundings to become a better person instead of searching for something more.