When I stepped out into the courtyard of our hostel this morning I truly felt like I had arrived in Rome. I know I know, I arrived yesterday, but I was in such a haze I couldn’t comprehend it.
I am traveling with my good friends Emily Yurchison, Carrie Reale, and Emily Bennett on this adventure (I will be referring to Emily Yurchison as Em from now on to avoid confusion) and this morning we decided to visit a supermercato and get some provisions for a picnic lunch. We ended up eating a delicious spread of cacciatore, prosciutto, brie, provolone, crackers, and the most vibrant cherries I’ve ever seen. We walked up many, many stairs to eat with a glorious view of the city. We also saw about 100 extremely adorable stray cats on the way.
Bonus: We also stopped at an amazing fleur garden on our way to eat.
In the afternoon our group departed for the American University of Rome (AUR) to hear a lecture on Italian Mass Media from Dr. Andrea Bini. He provided us with a comprehensive history of how Italian politics have impacted media from its start. He discussed Mussolini’s socialist newspaper, Avanti and how many media operations in Italian are a “family business.”
It is something that happens in our country too but to a much lesser extent. It seems as though an aspiring journalist in Italy would have a very hard time breaking into the industry unless they had powerful connections.
After our lecture, we wandered around AUR and annoyed some students studying for finals before boarding the most crowded bus I’ve ever experienced to tour the Colosseum.
Bonus: Emily and I also shared a very large hot dog that we rushed to get in the 5-minute gap before our tour, it was well worth it.
Even though it was cold and rainy by the time we arrived, I still couldn’t believe I was seeing something I had only seen in textbooks live and in person. Think of all the lives taken there, it’s astounding and upsetting. We then got to see the Roman Forum which is exactly what I picture in my mind when I think of Ancient Rome. Temples, arches, and stone roads that are still easier to navigate than Pennsylvania’s pothole-riddled streets.
After the forum, the four of us headed to dinner at L’Insalata Ricca. We split an appetizer of mozarella di bufala which was outstanding. And then I got cacio e pepe, a glass of prosecco, and creme brulee for dessert. We had fun trying to split the bill evenly (what do you have against separate checks Italy?) and saw a man that looked EXACTLY like Simon Cowell, I’m not convinced it wasn’t him.
Today was incredible, tiring, and incredibly tiring. 17,414 steps, 7.3 miles, 30 flights of stairs climbed. I think we deserve some holy gelato tomorrow at the Vatican.
Til then. Life is va bene.