It's 2:00 on the morning of December 15th. In 5 hours, I will take a bus to Fiumicino Airport and take a 10 hour flight back to the U.S. The trip has ended, thus my blogs will be far less interesting in the future. No more European jet-setting or stories of awkward encounters with locals. It's back to St. Ow, then back to the Bend for three more semesters at Notre Dame.
I haven't posted as recently in the past few weeks (despite finally getting my computer fixed), but that's because when I saw the end of the trip approaching, I felt an urge to fit everything I could into my remaining time in Italy. I went to Bologna, toured some more Roman museums, ate at more restaurants, went to more clubs, went to a soccer game, saw the Pope, did some more shopping, etc. After all of this, I felt that my time here was complete. Tourist-wise, I have done just about everything there is to do in Rome. Yet I could stay here for years and not discover all Rome has to offer. At the beginning of this week, beaten down from exams (so tough because they were the only work I had to the entire semester), I felt ready to go home. But now that the time to leave Rome is finally here, I'm not as anxious. I'm thrilled to see my family in a day and I will be glad to be at home where I can relax. What is so heartbreaking about leaving Rome is that I don't know when I will be back, and when I do, it won't be the same experience. I was not in Rome as a tourist, but as a student, and let's face it--my chances of living here once I start a career are not that great.
This week has been one of lasts. Last time at JCU. Last dinner with the roommates (whom I will miss living with dearly). Last look at the Vatican. Last awkward conversation with our maid, Ada. Last cappuccino, pizza, gelato, pasta. We also had our first party with the entire Rome group. All 29 of us had a party and a Secret Santa gift exchange in good ol' Medag 127. It was a fabulous night of some last minute extra group bonding. Tonight, a group of us went out for our last dinner out. Instead of one person giving a toast, each person said what he/she liked best about Rome. Some of things said were "The people", "Being able to wander around without a plan and find something cool", "The beauty of the city with its views and streets", "The history everywhere", "The attitude of Rome--things are never done in a timely fashion, but that's ok". The list goes on, but my favorite was said by Kate, a friend of Erin's who was staying with us this week. She commented that from spending time with the Rome kids, her favorite thing is seeing the family we have formed. It's very true--we are one big, quirky, Roman family. Even though I will see everyone next semester back at ND, it won't be like it is here. We won't see each other every day. We won't be in half of each other's classes (because as opposed to JCU, ND offers more than 15 classes). We won't be traveling to foreign countries with each other. This really was a unique bonding experience and I've come away with some great friends.
Going home will be strange, and a bit of a struggle, as I don't think I will be able to carry my bags. I'm expecting it to still be August at home, but it will be 20 degrees and Christmasy. The whole experience is very surreal, especially since I feel like this is probably the end of a very high peak of my life. Not that the future doesn't hold exciting things and all, but this is probably the only time I will be carefree and young in Europe.
Enough of the sentiments. What this all boils down to is that Rome was an amazing and meaningful experience. I'm sad that it's over, but I suppose it's time to get back to the real world. See you in the states.
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About Me
- Elise
- I was born to a wealthy family in Eastern Bratislava, but was excommunicated at the age of 9 when the tabloids reported a slanderous remark I had made against the nation's symbolic bird--the pigeon. At 14, I wrote a book detailing my escape from a high-security prison (the details of my incarceration shall be left a mystery). This book was later turned into the TV drama "Prison Break", however I received no credit due to my anonymity in authorship. At the age of 19, I graduated from Haverford University with a dual degree in animal science and peace studies, hoping to pursue a career in furthering efforts to end animal warfare in third world countries. At 27, I married and divorced in Las Vegas. At 32, I became president of Malta. At 33, I was again excommunicated, again for insulting the national bird, this time, the Maltese falcon. I have now escaped to Rome where I will seek guidance from the Pope. I am living undercover as a student in a study abroad program. This blog entails my journeys to make my false identity seem more credible.
4 comments:
welcome back to america, where no one speaks the italian language, there is no other country for hours away, and you can't really walk anywhere. hello!
If you want to go grab lunch or something while you're home for break, that could be fun. I'm aware we were never great friends, but I'd love to hear more about Europe and whatnot, and I've always thought you were a pretty cool person. :D
Rence, I would love to have get together with you over break! I've always thought you were pretty cool, too. Shoot me an email or a phone call or a carrier pigeon sometime!
No offense but:
You will still have plenty of awkward encounters with locals upon your return to the United States.
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