I’d never imagined the splendor and glory of Rome. Rome the city – it’s hard not to idealize Rome as an empire after three years of Latin, but Roma, Italia, the country’s capital, is a wonderland of basilicas, churches, ruins, and tourist traps. Friday, my class traipsed to five different basilicas (Roman governmental buildings, shaped like a long rectangle, that when Christianity became the official religion, were made into churches by adding the other half of the cross.) We paid particular attention to pieces of art by Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Bernini. At each basilica, a different student would give a presentation on a saint or religion/theory tied to the place. In the Pantheon, we learned about mythology; at St. Peter’s, I taught about the idea of St. Peter as the first pope. We enjoyed a tourist-free lunch at a small restaurant in Campo di Fiori, surrounded by the market. What was most interesting, though, was the strike. Leaving Italy, we just missed the transportation strike (air, bus, and train from 9-5). When we arrived in Rome, we found that students and workers from all over were demonstrating! They had decorated trucks and were acting out political scenes, holding banners, and marching with flags. One group of students even had a torch! Italy has never known fire-at-will employing. As big-business gets bigger, much protective legislation has been decreasing. To get to my hostel on Friday night, I had to wait an hour for the bus to come by (for only a few buses were running after the strike). On the bus, I met an Italian professor and a Venezuelan student. The professor had lived in Venezuela, and was close with Maria’s family. Professor moved home to Italy, and later, Maria wanted to study graphic design in Rome, so she moved in with him. They are good friends with the guys that work at the Hotel Lodi, so they escorted me to the hostel. On the way, they generously offered me dinner! I thoroughly enjoyed spending a couple hours at their apartment speaking about Venezuela, making new friends, and learning to salsa! After dinner (speaking only in Italian), I wanted to express my thanks. "Io devo lavorare i piede," I said. Both Professor and Maria looked askance at each other and then began to laugh heartily. "What!" I asked. "You MUST go wash your feet?!" they exclaimed. Whoops! Piede and Piatti sound so much alike! haha! We exchanged numbers and I am excited to see Maria again! Around 11, my friend Danielle finally found her way to the hostel, and we met up, excited about our next day in Rome.
Danielle and I ate breakfast in a bar with dirty dishes. yuck. Then, we hopped a bus to Piazza San Giovanni to go to the catacombs, but San Giovanni called us in! The church was absolutely gorgeous. Old money – not new. Elegant not gaudy. We were amazed. The stations of the cross were made out of carved marble inlaid into the wall. It was lovely! After diligently recording our visit with photos, we hopped the bus to the catacombs. The Saint Callixtus catacombs weren’t what I’d expected from studies and films, but were very interesting and amazing. The tombs on the top were the oldest – from the first century after Christ. There were about four graves dug for the size of the body on top of one another for entire hallways, entire mazes! Then you’d reach another downward floor with the same. There are family chapels and mosaics, tombs of priests, citizens, saints, and popes…and most unfortunately many children.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the ruins and the Coliseum (even though we couldn’t go in because it was closed.) We enjoyed dinner together and then made our way back for a relaxing time of reading and meeting new people. The next morning was somewhat stressful, for the hostel only took cash (who knew!), and when we made it to the Vatican for church, the Sistine Chapel was closed! But we did get to hear and see the Pope speak from his window! Tired from three weeks of travel, we ate lunch and then made our way back to Firenze.
Danielle and I ate breakfast in a bar with dirty dishes. yuck. Then, we hopped a bus to Piazza San Giovanni to go to the catacombs, but San Giovanni called us in! The church was absolutely gorgeous. Old money – not new. Elegant not gaudy. We were amazed. The stations of the cross were made out of carved marble inlaid into the wall. It was lovely! After diligently recording our visit with photos, we hopped the bus to the catacombs. The Saint Callixtus catacombs weren’t what I’d expected from studies and films, but were very interesting and amazing. The tombs on the top were the oldest – from the first century after Christ. There were about four graves dug for the size of the body on top of one another for entire hallways, entire mazes! Then you’d reach another downward floor with the same. There are family chapels and mosaics, tombs of priests, citizens, saints, and popes…and most unfortunately many children.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the ruins and the Coliseum (even though we couldn’t go in because it was closed.) We enjoyed dinner together and then made our way back for a relaxing time of reading and meeting new people. The next morning was somewhat stressful, for the hostel only took cash (who knew!), and when we made it to the Vatican for church, the Sistine Chapel was closed! But we did get to hear and see the Pope speak from his window! Tired from three weeks of travel, we ate lunch and then made our way back to Firenze.
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