by Vanessa Dunham (Los Angeles, CA)WHEN I'M HOT, I get cranky. I want to be left alone. My friends and family members won’t even think about invading my personal space when the temperature starts to rise. I’m sticky and sweaty, and the last thing I want to do is feel someone’s touch on my skin.
The warm, kind, close-talking people of Italy are shrinking – if not completely popping – my personal-space bubble. In Cagli, people I’ve grown close to will often grab my arm, plop kisses onto my cheeks, and greet me with a friendly embrace, despite my constantly red cheeks and sweat-kissed skin. At first, I felt a little violated. Then, I felt embarrassed. Now, I welcome the affection.
