Ken Beaton travel log: More similarities than differences

When visiting foreign countries, you can communicate knowing 30 basic words, facial expressions and hand movements including pointing. In Nevada when you hear, “We don’t do it like that in California,” do you have a knee jerk reaction? Be a great visitor. Learn how they do it in your host country. Taste foods you’ve never dreamed of tasting. Become the Marco Polo of cultural experiences.

In many countries, there are similarities. Successful politicians around the world never met a digital or video camera they did not like. Every successful politician instantly detects a camera in a crowd and smiles. They have no problem giving a speech to a group of voters praising them. Then, turn around and cut vital funding to that group of voters. Around the world, politicians kiss babies and ask, “Will this be on this evening’s news?”

Hundreds of Italian adults with their children or grandchildren attended the May 26, 2014 Memorial Day ceremonies at the Sicily — Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, near Anzio. Italian elementary teachers with their students from several schools attended the ceremony to honor almost 5,000 American boys buried in the cemetery who helped liberate Italy during WW II. A class of Down’s syndrome teens with their teacher and aides attended.

As a retired secondary teacher, if I had not heard the Down students speaking Italian, I would have thought they were from an America school. It does not matter the country, Down students look similar while being affectionate. When the band, Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils, finished playing, several Italians requested their picture be taken with the band. The Down students wanted their picture taken with the band, “a digital Kodak moment.” Down students, music and pictures are universal.

Whether we were in a small community like Mignano Monte Lungo or a park with shade trees and lush green grass within the walls of Rome, males and females from their early teens to consenting seniors were in love or lust as they publicly expressed their affection for each other. I was amazed to observe a female make her move similar to a female black widow. Wherever there is at least one of each gender, love or lust exists in every country.

When experiencing something new, children’s facial expressions and reactions are similar around the world. During our eleven day tour of the Liri Valley in Italy, the Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils Band performed at least once a day. Many days they performed in more than one community. The reaction of Italian children to a new cultural experience was precious and memorable. Upon hearing their first bag pipe note, their eyes doubled in size with amazed expressions on their faces and their lips formed a perfect circle.

After performing their final tune, the base drummer would motion for the preschool Italian children to come close to his drum. One child at a time was invited to strike his bass drum. Each child giggled after striking the drum.

Thirty years from now in 2044 when that community is celebrating its 100th liberation anniversary, parents will share the story with their children. “When I was your age, I hit a base drum that traveled 7,000 miles one way to celebrate our 70th liberation anniversary.” Thump one for freedom!

— Ken Beaton never considered the consequences during his formative years, many stories for a retired teacher and freelance writer. The Massachusetts native earned a BS from Salem State University and a M. Ed from Utah State University. “Home means Nevada” for Ken since 1972.
He wrote, “One Little Girl’s Love” for Country Extra, two articles in Journey With Olds, and six in Nevada in the West magazines. Having studied Italian, in 2008 and 2014 he “Followed in the Footsteps” of the First Special Service Force in Italy and celebrated Rome’s 70th liberation anniversary, June 4, 2014.