I am so inspired. Today Preeya and I woke up at 9 in the morning and headed off to Vatican City, where we took a tour with a UK woman named Deborah. At first I was a little skeptical about going on the “tourist tours” in and around the Sistine Chapel but I figured “hey I only live once!” So without further thinking, Preeya and I received an AUR student discount and began our 3 hour journey into the world’s richest country. Throughout my lifetime, I have gone on multiple art history tours, guides and informational sessions, all of which bore the hell out of me. However, being in Rome is slowly changing my views on language, culture, and life. As I was listening intensely about the Sistine Chapel, I learned so much about Michelangelo’s life and the hidden gems he painted on the ceiling of the chapel. For example, did you know that there is an enormous flaw in his most famous fresco between God and Man? Adam has a belly button. In reality, it would not possible for “the first man ever created” to have a belly button because umbilical cords are connected to your mother, which would mean Adam was produced by his mother and not created by God himself. Did you also know that Michelangelo trademarked his work by intertwining himself into his frescoes (and looking straight at you) because back then, one could not write their signatures under their masterpieces….amazing!!! I also learned fascinating facts about the Medici family and how the word actually translates into “orange tree.” Since multiple popes were from the Medici family in Florence, Michelangelo had to incorporate the colors green and orange into his pieces (despite his views of the Catholic Church.) For those who have been in the Sistine Chapel, you will notice that each fresco gets bigger and bigger as Michelangelo gained more and more confidence in his work. After he finished the Sistine Chapel in 4 years (which was said to take at least 10-15 years) he continued to work on an enormous “heaven and hell” fresco, free of charge. After we learned all about the Sistine Chapel, Preeya and I gazed upon the brilliant masterpieces for hours on end, just analyzing, thinking, and pondering. An overwhelming surge of emotions were suddenly engulfing my entire body, paralyzing my muscles and brain. It was an inspiring and rewarding experience that hit me like a 100-ton semi truck going 70 mph. I never wanted to go. But after awhile, we were forced into leaving because the guards said time was up. Preeya and I were so exhilarated and content with our adventures, that we stopped to get café and chocolate gelato (which is God’s gift to me).
The next day, I woke up exhausted. I was moving at a glacial pace and finally found my way to the supermarket. Although I adore my friends beyond belief, I still cherish my independency and was thrilled at the fact that I can do things on my own. After grocery shopping, I skyped with my best friend Lindsay for a whopping 3 hours and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for BABEL round 2. As you have probably already known, I have a mild obsession with a nightclub named Babel and desperately want my bachelorette party there. So when I heard the news that my friends Shawne, Maria, Preeya, Taylor, and Yazman all wanted to check it out for the first time, I could NOT resist. It was (once again) a BLAST. We went over one of our friends, Ali, who goes to the University of Maryland and is in two of my classes at AUR. On our way from Ali’s apartment to Babel, we decided it would be least costly if we all took the number 8 metro to Piazza Navona, where Scholars and the Drunken Ship are conveniently located (aka two American bars) and then take a quick taxi ride to Babel. When we got on the metro, we immediately went to the far back of it and sat down. My friend Maria found a bag filled with food that a homeless Italian man left of the tram. Of course with my crew, anything can happen. She opened up the bag and found fried game (bird) and rice balls stuck to the bottom of the bag, and proceed to smell it. When the scent was in the clear, she was dared to taste it. Of course she took the challenge and bit into it. When I saw this, I almost threw up. SHE FOUND A RANDOM HOMELESS ITALIAN MAN’S FOOD BAG FILLED WITH FRIED BIRD AND RICE BALLS AND ATE IT. I was so disgusted yet SO impressed with her. I nearly died laughing and was scared I would pee my pants. In order to stop this from happening, I walked to the front of the tram until it stopped at Piazza Navona. When we finally got to Babel, we immediately got in. I mean we did dress for the occasion (unlike the first time when Arielle and I resembled wet dogs, drenched from head to toe, and wrapped in a mango ultra vibrant raincoat that I got in Iowa) and we were looking FINE! When we got the “OK!” from the bouncers, Taylor and I made our way to the VIP section (of course) and started to rage. I then saw our main man friend Romano (who claims that he is bouncer at Mood but is religiously at Babel 24/7) and danced with him for a hot second. I was amazing. Everyone was loving life and enjoying themselves to the fullest. Before we knew it, it was 3:30 am and we had to leave before the tram stopped working at 4 am. Needless to say, some of our crew stayed out until 7 am (when Babel actually closes), but some of us raged too hard in the beginning. It was, once again, a memorable night to tell my grandchildren.
As I look back on my weekends here in Roma, I can NOT believe I have been in Italy for a month (it will be on Tuesday). There is still SO much I want to experience, yet I have been busy 24/7 and constantly on adventures, while exploring , learning, and embracing the Roman environment. This week, Taylor is taking Arielle’s bed in the apartment because Michael is here for a week and they have a hotel for the two of them. This also works out perfectly because I still do not have a phone or an alarm clock…oops! Oh well, life is simpler this way. This upcoming weekend, Taylor, Kelsey, and I are all going to London to have tea with the Queen. Words can’t describe how excited I am and what kind of adventures/trouble we will get ourselves into. I have never been happier in my entire life.
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