I knew planning this trip was going to be a fun experience, but I had no idea how amazing and spectacular it was going to be seeing everything in person that I had admired in books I read at Barnes and Noble. Arriving in Rome first, I was exhausted, had not slept the night before, and needed some food in my stomach. I met Carla and Josh there and they took me from the airport to the closest restaurant near our house. I ordered my first meal in Italian...Pizza! It was probably the best thing I had ever eaten, and it was so simple. My first cup of cappuccino warmed my throat as it sank and tasted like perfection in a cup. I fell in love with Rome before seeing a thing. The next morning, we went to the Vatican, and I had goosebumps as I entered the colonnade. Luckily, because Josh lives in Tuscania, he had friends that were staying in Rome (where we stayed), and their class that day was to tour the Vatican! How terrible for them! We tagged along and toured the Vatican, saw this magnificent structure, saw the PIETA!! It was magical and holy. We then went to the Vatican Museum, which was one of the most amazing museums I had ever visited, and saw some of the most beautiful art and architecture. I did not like the signs everywhere you walked that told you where the "Sistine Chapel" is. Of COURSE I wanted to see it, but give me a surprise for goodness sake! People were rushing by us, missing so much around them just to see it. It was magnificent though...no words. It felt insane to be there knowing who drew it and why, and what took place there. Having the audio guide definitely helped me understand the history that I had never known. Always get them! As Carla and I walked out of the Vatican City, we were completely silent in awe. At the same time, she asked me something. She asked me about my faith, about God, about the Church. Why would God and the Church want so much glamour and riches when there are so many homeless and poor people living right outside of the Vatican City. At first, I defended my faith and what I had known for so many years, bu then stood back and listened...and agreed. As beautiful as everything was, is it worth it? Is that what Christianity had become now?
We went to all the areas that we could possibly go to in Rome. I cannot possibly sit here and explain my entire trip because it would be a book long. We saw the Spanish steps, the Colleseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman ruins, the Pantheon, and so much more. We also saw modern architecture, like the Renzo Piano Theatre, which was GORGEOUS, and ended up buying a boy's ticket to a concert spontaneously, because he hates orchestras, even though his grandfather bought him amazing seats. Then we left for Milan. We knew going there, that there was a huge differentiation between Rome and Milan, due to the idea of "Relaxed Romans" versus "Workaholic Milanese." It was a completely different place, that I ended up hating. The only places that I loved were the Duomo Basilica, of course! Its BEAUTIFUL! The opera house (La Scala), and of course Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper. After seeing these, we hoped to shop a little and relax after our busy touring in Rome, but of course everything was super expensive and we felt very out of place. Most of the people were wearing their Prada, and Gucci, and Dior. It was sickening to see everyone have something and we couldnt dream of paying that much. Surprisingly though, our hostel was amazing. We met Egyptians that owned it and I spoke to them in Arabic, and we became good friends fast. Another surprise was seeing John Legend was coming that same night to Milan for a concert, so we had to go! We walked the streets and a guy sold us tickets for 25 euros (thanks to Carla's negotiation skills), when the tickets cost 35 for everyone else! He was right in front of us and it was a dream! We couldnt have been happier....until.....THERE HE WAS! BECKHAM!!! We were screaming louder and louder, Beckham was only 20 meters away from us in the VIP section! Milan ended up being a pretty good journey after all. For our final destination, which I will try to cut short, was Paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower from the plane, and our hearts dropped. We knew this was going to be amazing, and it was. Eventhough it was a very busy schedule, we had a blast. We saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Arc de Triomf, Quai Branly, Villa Savoye, and so much more! I dont think that I can ever be tired of Paris. That is the one place you will never be bored in. It is AMAZING and I will never be able to see everything, including the never-ending Louvre. I love that city! But one downside...too much crime, and wayyyy too expensive.
I can talk forever about my trip, but I don't think anyone will like that. I love to travel and meet new people. I love to explore new places and get lost just to find my way again. I love to talk to people, like the Egyptians or the two guys that we met in Rome, and talk about life, religion, everything. I love people. I love places. Life means so much more to me after this experience and after studying abroad. I see things deeper, I feel things deeper, and I learn deeper.
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