Each day is longer than the last, but it’s so worth it. However, if there’s one thing I took away from today, it’s that I have zero desire to work in social media.
For one, I applied to do a “Takeover Tuesday” for Point Park University’s Snapchat account today, and it was the most high maintenance thing I’ve ever done. While it was still enjoyable and got me out of my comfort zone, it took an act of God to balance posting to the Snapchat, taking personal photos and genuinely enjoying the experience while trying to not get hit by a car, get lost or get pickpocketed.
We began with a lecture featuring representatives from Vatican News, specifically the broadcast side and social media team. It was interesting to hear who handles the Pope’s social media accounts and how as well as the 40 different languages the Secretariat must post in, but I wish they had further discussed the content they post and the creation of that content– especially for such a high figure such as Pope Francis.
Had some ravioli for lunch. Don’t tell my Nonna that it’s tied with the stuff she makes homemade.
We met up once again with our tour guide from the Colosseum where she would then lead us through the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. She’s fantastic at her job, but today, I barely heard a word she said.
Between the dozens and hundreds or marble statues and busts, the impossibly large tapestries ornately sewn and likely boast a square footage larger than some houses in America, and the indescribable beauty and magnificence of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and Basilica of St. Peter, I could not listen– only gaze.
I have never witnessed such overpowering and moving art such as that we saw today, and don’t know when I will encounter it again. I could go on and on about what we saw, but it’s just one of those things you have to witness for yourself to fully understand man’s capabilities in creation.
As someone who was raised Catholic and has gone through all of the sacraments, today made me think long and hard about the religion itself and its values and beliefs. I won’t speak much further on that; that’s an entirely separate blog for another day that’ll probably never come so that I stay off of my soapbox.
The rest of the day it rained. And rained and rained and rained. Pittsburgh weather follows us apparently.
That evening, we had our dinner with Seth Doane from CBS News, Jordan Foresi from SkyItalia, and Sylvia Poggioli from NPR– all well-known and respected foreign correspondents based in Rome.
I mostly spoke with Jordan Belosi due to how the table was set up. He knew about the Spigno Club my parents belonged to back in Pittsburgh. Also, one of his favorite movies is Animal House. But even better, his stories telling of his encounters covering Hurricane Katrina, the Great Recession in 2008, and even traveling to Cuba before Americans were allowed within borders again reminded me that journalism is about experiencing and telling stories and having these unique opportunities to see the world how no one else sees it. He’ll be in Pittsburgh in September, so hopefully we can see him again and he can share his story with the rest back home at Point Park.
Not forgetting the food. Was feeling adventurous. Seafood risotto (kicking myself for not taking a picture of the plate) 12/10. Pear and hazelnut cake with white chocolate drizzle 14/10. Need the recipe for that one because who would’ve thought something with flavors like that would work.
It’s 2 a.m. Thank God I’m not formally obligated to post to social media tomorrow.