Roma!

You are probably expecting a more detailed blog entry of my first week of work, as opposed to what is below. However, I think my trip to Italy deserves attention for this one entry.

On Wednesday, the idea of heading to Rome began germinating in my mind. Ever since my 10th grade Humanities class, I have been fascinated with Italian art and architecture. I love the perfection of the collonades, their resistance to the years, and their symbolic representation of the idealism of Roman conquering and might. My favorite artist is Bernini. He created the Baldacchino (the great gold-pillared structure seen in pictures below), which is placed over the tomb of Saint Peter. Therefore, besides being eager to try out the Italian way of living, I certainly had a drive to see specific things.

When I learned that I could in fact do this trip, I immediately began reserving a place to stay and a ticket. You are probably wondering - why did Ashley do this so impromptu? Well, to answer your potential question, I find in life that if you do not embrace a chance, it may not come again, or in a pleasing form. It was perfect timing, as my internship work has not really started to speed up yet. So, carpe diem!

My journey began with me running off of about 2 hours of sleep, as I had been working hard in preparation for my departure the night before. However, the adrenaline in me was enough to keep me thoroughly awake. I went to the train station that is adjacent to the Parliament building, and befriended a man who was later able to guide me through the process of leaving the Brussels-Midi station for the Charleroi airport on a bus. People are very helpful in Brussels – it is hard to get lost when you can easily ask for assistance.

Throughout this departure, I was constantly nervous. I knew that every action I did could make or break my success in the venture, and I have limited help with getting to where I need to go on time. However, I was fortunate, and my foresight and intuition got me safely to where I needed to go. When I arrived at the airport, I was grateful I had left earlier than I previously thought necessary - there was a huge queue waiting for me. After much navigation through security, I was able to board the plane safely.

On the plane, I became good friends with a nice Irish couple. I talked with them about nationalism and their home country. Ironically, they were traveling to Italy to make a business deal with someone from Utah, so they asked me a lot about our culture. I really liked talking to them. After I got off the plane, the woman was kind and, like a surrogate mother, insisted that she purchase my bus ticket to the train station that was near my hostel and make sure I was heading in the right direction. Thus, I was able to enjoy my trip with them to the station as well. From there, I started navigating through the streets of Rome for my hostel.

I have never stayed in a hostel. Despite my efforts of staying at one, I must still stay that. When I finally found myself at the address of my hostel, I found “Friendship Palace” to be nonexistent. Well, so much for friendship. And palaces.

Meanwhile, I promised my parents I would contact them when I arrived safely at my new residence. I found there was a problem with this.

My cell for whatever reason would not let me make phone calls to America.

I headed back to the train station, where I knew I would have a high probability of finding a phone booth. My eyes finally alighted on a phone, but then I found myself in another predicament. It only accepted phone cards.

And I could not find a phone card machine.

I wandered around the station for several minutes, attempting my calls a few more times in case it was simply a bad connection (it was not, my phone just did not like Italy-U.S. calls apprently). I ultimately reached the point that I was going to look for the Information office. However, I wanted to take a second glance at the phone booth. I walk up to it, and still can see that I cannot use it.

Then, out of nowhere, this old man walks up to me, and starts putting a phone card in the machine, asking for me to provide him with the number. I am able to call my parents, and I am relieved I can at least take their worries away, which was more pressing on my mind than finding a place to stay. I paid the man for the card, and started looking for a branch that would take me to the Spagna – the station located right at the Spanish Steps, which is where I ended up staying.

It is nice to say I have a lot of moments like those – where someone miraculously comes out of nowhere and helps me. I am not sure if Americans are as helpful to Europeans, but… I definitely like European people.

Once I found my hotel, I was able to fully embrace Rome.

Below are over 100 pictures of where I went. SPOILER WARNING: if you want to experience these things on your own, I would advise you skip over them.

I loved this view.

Hundreds of shoe stores.

I loved this golden glow at sunset.

Okay. This is probably the best dessert I have eaten in my life. 5/5 stars for the gelato.

Mmm. So good. :) It was topped with potatoes and rosemary.

I wonder how many people get turned away for this.

The ceiling was so detailed.

The Holy Door.

You probably cannot read this, but it basically says that I must climb 320 steps after taking the lift to reach the copula. It was hot and congested when I was doing it, and its not even the time of year for major tourism...

Stairs, stairs...

Hi Baldacchino!

I loved how the light would stream in through the windows.

So green.

The "Pieta," one of my favorite works of Michaelangelo, second only to "David."

I was so thrilled I was seeing all of this, you have no idea.

My favorite angel, the Archangel Michael.

This thing is...HUGE.

I loved the flow of the marble...after doing rock sculpture myself, I can fully appreciate the skill and luck required to make such a masterpiece. This is "Truth," by Bernini.

The guys in the gladiator costumes cracked me up.

Let's take a swim, shall we? Not.

I went on a field trip! ...I just did not have the yellow hat. Hello Pantheon.

The tiramisu was good . . . but I wished I had another gelato instead.

Trevi Fountain. I made a wish. :)

A load of people were trying to sell things on the street.

I wanted to take it home. And all the others I ran across.

All right. So there are these people that dress up as statues, and randomly move. One genuinely made me jump.

Beautiful ruins.

They were everywhere.

Colosseum.

Looking out on the last night from the Spanish Steps.

Rome. The pure memory of the sun falling on this golden city makes me feel happy. The city is very enticing. My eyes could not help eagerly soaking in the clear blue skies, complimented by the green grass and carefully tended, towering shrubs. And the music! It flowed as if history was immortal. It was so natural and old. I loved the stark white buildings, pure and strong. The food was of course fantastic as well.

However, Rome, from my two-day perspective, is not all light. It is also a city whose future is based off of the revenue of the past. A strong undercurrent of constant solicitations and suffering prevails this geographical heaven. For the tourists, who are generally financially secure, the state of Italy does not affect them. However, for the locals, it is a constant battle for a street corner and your euro. The pillars and walls are tagged. Their eyes have suppressed emotion for so long they only look at your shadow as it passes before them – you are just another soul that they can beg from. They see no human in you, just a symbol of a means for getting along. I wanted to smile at a lot of people, but that would simply be translated as a false customer to them as I would have to turn down their instant offer.

So - it is not quite heaven. But elements of it are.

It is a chiaroscuro city – it has its light and dark shades, elegantly and sometimes abruptly brushed into its revered portrait. And it is a classic representation of human struggle alongside highest human perfection.

This trip was amazing and enlightening. I am very glad I took the opportunity.

Work tomorrow! =)