To say the least this week was much different than last week. I don't mean this in a bad way at all. The first week I was so amazed by everything I saw, and now I realize that there is something amazing no matter where you are in Rome. I feel like I am really starting to adjust to the lifestyle and fitting right in. I still can't say a sentence in Italian, but I'm working on it!
Just like back home in America, we have had some pretty poor weather; windy and rainy. It had adjusted our schedule nearly everyday, but it gave us free time to catch up on homework which turned out to be a good thing because I don't feel nearly as stressed as I was last week. I learned one thing for sure; I'm pretty out of shape. I decided to go on a run with gabby and I really though I could keep up with her and I was sadly mistaken. Everywhere we turned there was a humongous uphill slope; I don't remember any down hill stretches. Needless to say I didn't make it the whole run and my legs still feel like jello.
Luigi Barzini talks about in his book how Italy is a place that everyone wants to travel too, but Italians hate to travel outside their country. I can definitely understand why everyone wants to travel here. Nobody can put a price on this trip for me, I really don't want to be anywhere else right now. Italy just has some sort of "Fatal Charm," which just happens to be the title of chapter 3 in The Italians written by Barzini.
On Monday I explored Rome with Katie Dodds and I couldn't believe some of the things we saw. We went through about three churches and every one of them had similarities and differences. They were all obviously all beautiful; but all in their own unique way. The churches here might be the most amazing part to me so far. I thought my church at home was gorgeous, but everyone I have been in here puts it to shame! They have sculptures upon paintings. It's something that only pictures can describe. We did go on a bike ride today (about 8 miles) and ill probably be feeling a little rough tomo, but that's ok because I'm in Rome!! We are traveling to Venice Friday morning at 4AM. I am pretty sure we will all be zombies. Not to mention there are parts of Venice that are flooded up to my shoulders. Should be a fun weekend! Gonna make the most of it for sure.
Hello Brandon,
ReplyDeleteNice blog. Thanks for throwing in Barzini. Maybe something from Smiles of Rome will spark a comment in the next blog.
Brandon,
ReplyDeleteThe churches have definitely blown my mind away as well. My church at home is small and simple but beautiful in its own way. I feel like every church here was built to out do the last! When we were in Venice I was really glad the water had disappeared for the most part, but I missed Rome Home the entire time we were there!
Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with both you and Barzini that Italy has this fatal charm that many people are attracted to. I'm sure if I was a native Italian, I wouldn't want to travel anywhere else. Why would you want to? Also the churches here are most definitely gorgeous and moving all in their own way. I can't wait for the next 6 weeks.