We are entering our fourth week abroad and third out-of-London excursion. Destination- ROME. I am unbearably excited to experience the Italian culture and gain a deeper understanding about my Italian heritage. My Nonna and Popop came to America in the '50s from a small town in Southern Italy, San Donato. They brought with them a dream for a prosperous life in America but also a dream to preserve their Italian traditions, values, and recipes. I strongly identify with my Italian lineage because the culture has always been so present in my life. I listened to Italian nursery rhymes as a child, ate seven types of fish on Christmas Eve, and played bocce more times than any other sport combined. I have grown so fond of listening to the Italian language and am anxious to listen to the varying dialects through our travels. We will begin in Rome with our group then I will venture to Florence and Venice with three friends as part of our long weekend vacation. CIAO!!
After dodging a team of pickpocketing teens, we made our way to the hotel, starkly aware that weather in Rome is quite different than weather in London. Just walking four blocks, I was dripping sweat and wishing I had the ability to conjure a glass of water at any given moment. We wasted no time diving right into Roman culture and history, starting with food. It seemed like every restaurant with outdoor seating "had the most authentic Italian cuisine" for the "best prices in the area," so the employees said. However, I came to realize quickly that it's much harder to find a meal you don't like in Rome than one you do.
Love at first sight
With plenty of carbs in our bellies, we were off to learn more about the Roman empire. On our way to the ruins, we visited the Bascilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the five great ancient basilicas in Rome. Legend has it that Pope Liberius in the 13th century had a vision of the Virgin Mary telling him to build a church on this hill and in the morning, a miraculous snowfall outlined the floor plan of the church to-be. I bet contractors today would love if someone else would do all that planning work for them. The church was renovated in the 18th century, thankfully, because I don't know how comfortable I would feel about standing below a roof built 1,994 years ago.
Posing with the Santa Maria Maggiore
Venturing down the steep roads to the Roman Forum, I couldn't help but imagine the Roman Empire in its glory days. The ruins outlined what used to be the heart of ancient Rome, a place of social gathering and government relations dating back from about 500 BC to the fall of the Roman Empire 1,000 years later.
To the left of the Forum is the infamous Colosseum, one of the new seven wonders of the world (now I'm 1/7th of my way through them!). It was enchanting and overwhelming all at once. We only perused the outside but we plan to take a tour of it before leaving.
Rather than a plaque or nice medal to commemorate triumphs in battle, the ancient Roman Empire preferred to award victories by dedicating an arch to the leader in power. There were several remains of very old arches scattered through the Forum but Constantine's Arch was by far the most well-preserved and attracted the most tourists. The arch is engraved with scenes from battles and even depicts Constantine fighting to victory. Constantine felt as though a Christian God helped him win the civil war defeating Maxentius, so once he assumed power, he declared Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Curious what I ate for dinner..?
lasagna bolognese YUM
I think I fit in well here in the homeland
