When we flew in from Athens we were all tired and ready to rest… But Rome had other plans. Everything has flown by so fast here I can hardly remember all that we’ve seen and done. I’ve seen some of the most breathtaking sights in the world and I tried limoncello for the first time. We visited an Irish pub late at night.
There is so much to take in and see in Rome. The Romans commitment to beauty is one of the things that stood out to me the most. Our trip to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica was the highlight of the trip. There were works of art from Ancient Egypt all the way to Michelangelo’s pieces. I took an “art and religion” class last semester where we spoke about the difference between “the experience of life” (our day to day routine) and “an experience”. An experience has a beginning, middle, and end; it leaves you feeling changed in some way. Walking into St. Peter’s Basilica was most definitely an experience. It was one of the most beautiful and moving things I’ve ever seen.
So many of our governmental functions are drawn from the Romans. Ideas of citizenship, administration, representatives, etc. all came from ancient Rome. Our bill of rights and the basic idea of freedom all come from this city. I think it’s funny that Americans love to celebrate freedom and democracy as if we’ve invented it… but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s important to understand where these ideas come from so that we can also understand where they failed in the past so that we may not make the same mistakes.
As much as I loved the site-seeing in Rome I must admit, I prefer my quiet small town lifestyle, especially when it comes time to fall asleep. This city is always awake. We take a lot of things for granted in the US, like our big bathrooms, cars, wide streets, air conditioning, and that good ol’ southern hospitality. Not only have I come out of this experience with a greater appreciation for other cultures but I appreciate where I come from much more as well. I’m ready to stand on some American soil.
