My first day as a Roman
First day in Rome.
I stepped of the airplane in Rome a little after 9 o’clock AM (local time) and had to wait around for a little while before the new study abroad students got shipped off to John Cabot University campus. I have never had a car ride quite like that one before. No one is joking when they say Italian drivers are insane. I thought, no less than 18 times on the ride from the airport to the campus, that my life was coming to an end. Mercedes-Benzes winding in and out of the lanes, driving straight down the yellow lines separating the lanes, and when going 20 miles faster than the car in front of them Italians slow down, (with no exaggeration,) no sooner than ¾ of a foot away from the car in front.
When I arrived at the “campus” I had never been so excited to place my two feet firmly on the ground. Not only because that meant the end of a long and tiresome trip ending with a crazy driver, but the shinny, square, black cobblestones looked so inviting. JCU does not have much of campus, rather it is made up of a few buildings within the walls of European style streets. After checking in and waiting around in the courtyard for an hour or two, Melanie (a friend of mine for American University who is also studying abroad at JCU) and I hauled our heavy luggage back into the car to head to what the JCU staffers were telling us would be, “the best apartment in the entire city”, (luckily, this driver was slightly more cautious).
I chose to study abroad in Rome for many reasons. One of those reasons was that the city houses the Pantheon. The Pantheon is an architectural MATERPIECE created as a temple to all gods. But more importantly, it is a very, very pretty building. The JCU staffers told me that my apartment was located walking distance from the Pantheon. And when they said walking distance, they meant it:
It seems like Province.
When I first stepped out of the car right in front of this amazing structure I screamed, and I almost cried. The building is the most beautiful architectural structures I have ever seen. I’m not sure exactly what about it impresses me so much, but standing there, directly in front of it, gave me a feeling that I don’t think will ever come again, (except for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, seeing as how I have no choice but to pass the Pantheon in order to get anywhere else in Rome). Melanie and I took our bags up too our apartment after spending 45 minutes tiring to unlock the doors, and Melanie successfully breaking her key into two pieces, because the doors are so old and difficult to open. But, it is beautiful and gorgeous and huge and I can’t even describe it, (so come visit me!).
After Melanie and I unpacked and got settled in our new Roman room with out lovely floor to ceiling French doors leading to our balcony we decided it was time to see Rome. As we were headed home I looked down the road and said to Melanie… “is that…? the Coliseum?” and she was like: “nooooo, it can’t be,” but it was. We walked towards it, slowly, and I have never experienced a feeling like that in my entire life. I went back in history I felt the gladiators fighting and Julius Creaser walking down the huge cobblestone street to watch the show. It was a feeling that happens once in a life time and I enjoyed every moment of it. Once Melanie and I realized we weren’t hallucinating, we actually lied down on the cobblestone and looked up at the Coliseum for 15 minutes, staring. It is beautiful, more than beautiful than you could ever imagine. The Pantheon is beautiful, the Coliseum is an experience, a trip back in time, and a wonder.
After spending an hour or so awe struck with gapping mouths we decided that it was time to head back to our home in Rome and end the night.
I have been here for less than a day and I am in already in love with the city of Rome. Amazing. Wonderous. Perfection. Bella.
Ciao,
Samantha
2 years ago • Notes