Rome's features still grand, despite becoming part of daily life
Rome, Italy — Despite an unfortunate travel incident when my purse and passport were stolen, my first month of study abroad has been a gilded experience. I have taken pictures in front of Rome’s Trevi Fountain, eaten gelato on the Spanish Steps and studied in St. Peter’s Square.
But sometimes it is easy to get caught in routines, however new or different they might be. I have come to expect the aged charm of cobblestone streets and there are times when I hardly blink passing the ruins of the Roman Forum.
Now don’t get me wrong, it is not because these experiences are the least bit mundane, it is just that they have become a part of my daily life. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica still stands tall overlooking Rome, and the city’s narrow streets will always be home to countless outdoor cafes and pizzerias.
But just because Rome’s sights are becoming a fixture of my time in Italy does not reduce their grandeur. The key to fully appreciating my time here is to take a few steps back and remind myself where I am, and what I have already done.
I am incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity not only to travel in Europe, but to actually live and study here. I can visit new sights on the weekends and find new cafes between classes. (Just this weekend I found a delicious cream and cherry-filled pastry at I Dolci di Checco er Carrettiere, a cafe in the Trastevere area of Rome).
So regardless of what I am doing, I can enjoy the culture and the lifestyle of the Romans. Living here is not just about being a tourist snapping pictures of every statue and cathedral in sight; it is also about seeing the city through my own experiences and opportunities.
And maybe I will make a habit of stopping to pinch myself whenever I pass the Vatican.
About This Italian Life
Journalism and political science junior and former State News reporter Abby Lubbers is studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome for the spring 2009 semester.
Follow her journey of what it’s like to live and learn overseas.
This is Abby’s Italian life.
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