On
Tuesday May 26, 2015, 21 eager Manhattan College students hopped on a plane at JFK
with our destination being the one and only, Italia. Throughout my time at MC I’ve
heard so many great things about studying abroad; how it’s life changing, inspirational,
and all around a terrific experience for anyone and everyone involved. Through
the whirlwind of the past 14 days I can confirm that this is all incredibly
true, for our time in Florence has so far been an experience like no other.
From museum, to basilica, to the gorgeous view after view (and not to mention
the influx of great food) our time here thus far has been amazing to say the
least, and we’re just getting started.
Nearly
8 hours later we landed promptly in the beautiful city of Rome. Though some of
us sleepless, our excitement was able to keep the group enthusiastic throughout
the first day. We wasted no time once we arrived to the city and despite the
small rain shower (which it has not rained since) ((knock on wood)) we saw some
of Rome’s beauty in the area nearby our hotel. We visited four churches that
day, some of which being the most famous the country has to offer: Basilica
Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica di St Prassede, Basilica di St Maria degli
Angeli, and Basilica di St Maria della Vittoria.
These
churches exemplified not only inexplicable beauty, but were perfect
demonstrations of the Ancient and Medieval Roman art and architecture in terms
of Catholicism. And trust me, Brother Rob was BEAMING.
Afterwards
the skies cleared up and we brought our sleepless bodies back to the hotel,
where we enjoyed a lovely first real Italian meal of, you guessed it, pasta. The
pasta here has been SO good, it even puts Sal’s to shame.
Day 2
we were up and at ‘em by 8:30am, on a tour bus ready to see what else this beautiful
city had in store. Our first stop was one of Rome’s most infamous landmarks,
the Colosseum. The architecture of this ancient structure was breathtaking, and
it’s ancient historic significance was even more unbelievable.
The fact that this country is home
to so many ancient structures that still hold strong today is amazing; another
example of this being the Roman Forum, which was not only the burial ground of
Julius Caesar, but home of several ruins along with the first of MANY
breathtaking views we experienced in Italy.
We also
received a tour of the Temple of Venus and Rome and Basilica San Paolo. Afterwards
we walked up a HUGE appetite for lunch, where we all split up to conquer the
city on our own agenda. I enjoyed some pizza in an outdoor café with the serenading
sounds of street accordion players. My group and I then walked all throughout
the city, getting ourselves comfortably (though not purposefully) lost. We saw
Capiloline Hill, Allar of the Fatherland, and the Trevi Fountain, which was unfortunately
under construction. Fortunately, we did manage to find one of Rome's greatest treasures: gelato.
After this
extremely busy day, everyone made their way back to the hotel completely
exhausted yet full of exciting stories. We ate another great meal and some of
us went up to the rooftop terrace of the hotel and enjoyed the gorgeous view of
the city at night, still in disbelief that we were really there.
Day 3
soon came along and we were up even earlier to board the cities Metro (which,
might I add, is FAR nicer than the 1 train) to head to Vatican City. Once we
arrived, we toured the entirety of the Vatican Museum, seeing the grounds, the
unbelievable art, and the home of the Pope himself. We even all got to
experience the infamous Sistine Chapel, which was breathtaking, to say the
least.
After
hours in the Vatican we sat in Saint Peter’s Basilica square before splitting
up again for the afternoon. My group and I ate lunch before walking from corner
of the city, seeing the Bargo Castle, Ponte Sant Angelo, Piazza Navona, and
finished the day off with the Spanish steps.
*pictures*
I’d bet
we probably walked at least 15 miles that day, but it was all worth it. Once
again, after dinner we sat on the rooftop terrace looking back on how great our
experience in Rome was. After hitting all of the major landmarks of the city, I
felt that my time in Rome was complete. As much as we were sad to leave, we
were all extremely excited for Florence and to see what other beauties the
country had to offer.
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