Rome is Home.
It is 10.33 am and I am wide awake, sitting on my balcony on 41, Livio Tempesta in Rome, Italy, trying to accept reality. I have a love/hate relationship with Time. I want things to go fast in certain aspects of my life: during exams, commuting to and from work/school, and becoming 21. On the other hand, my time in Rome has gone by too fast for comfort. Of course I miss my family, friends, a dryer, screens, carpet, microwaves, a coffee pot, of course a cell phone. However, livings without these so called “necessities” in America are a breeze. I have become such a Minimalist here that in the long scheme of things, all you need are good friends, a supportive family, and some wine from time to time. I have grownup so much here in Italy: I have gained self-confidence, patience, and appreciation of the small everyday things. I have gone to places where I would never dream I could go: Paris, London, Ponza, Santorini, Athens, Capri, Mt. Vesuvius, Sorrento, Pisa, Tuscany, Florence, and Amsterdam. Each place is so unique and there is ALWAYS a story that goes along with our excursions. I have met so many different people, ranging from all ages, all different background, and mixed genders .I have heard their life stories: triumphs, disappointments, struggles, and love. I have appreciated the Italian culture ranging from their expensive currency, their passion to be “on time” (which of course is at least 10 minutes late), their fashion (how it can be 75 degrees out and the locals are still in pants and fur coats), their food (can you say CARBS?), drinks( Pinot Giorgio is 3 Euro daddies/bottle), and their “breaks” or siestas (which are conveniently on right when I get out of school, so everything is closed), I have seen gypsies begging for money or food day in and day out in Trastevere, helped an old Italian woman and called 119 as she slipped and fell on Eduardo Jenner, been bombarded by the Algerians trying to sell fake Louis Vittuon pursues, wallets, and Ray-Ban sunglasses, and still, I feel like Rome is Home.
Yes there are my everyday struggles, which include trying to scavenge enough Euros for some bread (pane) and wine for dinner, the occasional purchase of a bus ticket on the A.T.A.C (although I totally abuse their public transportation to the max), stressing about final exams, and trying to communicate with all my friends via no cell phone. Being in Rome has made me more reliable, more dependable, and more reliable as an individual. I follow through with everything I say and do, and for that Rome, I thank you.
Staying in Rome for this long has made me appreciate the hidden pathways, steps, views, parks, and statutes that are unnoticed to the typical tourist. Yes I love the Vatican, Piazza Venezia and Via Del Corso with Zara and mouth-watering gelato, but my favorite places are the ones that I have been lost and found along the way. As Arielle and I were relaxing, tanning, and studying for finals in the Borghese gardens this past weekend, we found out through the grapevine that there might be an earthquake that may tear Rome to the ground on May 11, 2011. At first we laughed, and then we were sort of panicking…”What if it actually DOES happen?” As we were subconsciously thinking, a sudden tingle went down my spine: “Well I have loved, laughed, and cried, seen everything that I dreamed about and more, been blessed with fantastic friends and family, what more could I ask for? I have lived my life to the absolute fullest, counted my blessings, and treasured everyday like it was my last.” That was when I realized how much studying abroad has changed me. But rather, how ROME has changed me for the better, and for that, Roma, ti amo.