A Roman Welcome

"This is the most exciting thing ever!"  Well, that was my first thought on the plane coming to Rome.  During the very next step of getting on the bus which would take me to my new home at Via Nazareth, I thought "Well this isn't very exciting.  It looks just like the fields back in Ohio!"

So my first reaction was mixed, but my half a week here at Rome was also so mixed and strange it's hard to describe it all.  Allow me to start with the best of the best for my week.  It was Friday night, and as I walk with the group I try to take all the Rome night life in, but again, it just looks like any other city back in America.  The crowded buses even felt just like the buses in Pittsburgh!  In just a few minutes I realized that I could never be more wrong.  The director had lead us straight into the middle of St. Peter's square.  I felt like I had no choice but to stand in the middle of the square, frozen in my tracks, trying to take it all in.  I was actually standing IN THE VATICAN!  Dream come true!  Furthermore, both the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene stood standing in all their glory, waiting to be taken down on February 2nd, Candlemas day.  The scene felt as if God had come down in that little manger just to greet me in the center of his holy Church.  He was welcoming to the city of Rome.  My mind was relieved that I was finally now in Rome.  No more America look a likes.  This was Rome that I was in.  To add to my amazement, the director told stories of St. Peter, and how he was martyred in that very square, and of Pope Francis, who broke so many papal traditions of pomp and circumstance.  I literally had so much excitement during his tales that I wanted to jump up and down squealing with pure joy!  This was the Vatican!  This wasn't just another parish, this was a truly holy place and still is.  I cannot wait until the next opportunity to go back. 

I suppose I should also mention that just five minutes after that joy I had one of the most mouthwatering, savory, and absolutely perfect pizzas in my entire life, but pizza or Vatican?  I'll take the Vatican please.

The week continued on, with so much of the city of Rome, including metro trips, 2,094 year old wine cellars, and a beautiful church called St. Cecilia.  All great things, but the week was not all wonderful places and a heart full of joy.

Sunday afternoon I found myself walking, walking, and more walking, as one of the Assistant Resident directors took us on a tour throughout the city.  Between the Roman Forum, the Piazza Navona, the Parthenon, more pizza, and overwhelming information, I felt like the ultimate Roman Tourist.  Our Assistant Resident Director gave us all the transportation information for the entire semester, so of course, to test us, he decided to abandon us in the middle of the city.  A small group was with me, and together confidence grew that we would find our way back to campus which was twenty minutes outside the city.  Needless to say, things didn't go as planned.  Confidence stepped a side to pure panic, then anxiety, and trying to keep a fake sense of calm.  Not because we were lost, no that was the secondary problem.  The first was getting our dear friend to a hospital, because of an allergic reaction.  At Duquesne University, easy.  Just cross the street and we would be at Mercy Hospital.  However, this was a strange city, with no real sense of direction, no real direction to a hospital, and worst of all, no one speaks English. 

I won't describe it all here, but through a series of God-given blessings, including a phone, taxi drivers, and the common sense of a group of six young college women, we checked into the hospital and there was a full recovery.  For me, the afternoon was a learning experience.  First to be willing to be terrified, Second to trust instincts, and most of all, just accept the fact that I am in a strange city and I don't speak the language, so things are going to get complicated.  Yes, my heart was racing with anxiety, even when still standing in the waiting room, and there were a few panic moments.  Nevertheless, looking back on it, it was a good experience because it was a learning experience.  it checked me back into reality and where I was. 

Don't take my entire week's experience from one unfortunate afternoon.  Actually, I don't think it was a bad experience.  Rather, it opened my eyes to all that I would be facing this semester in Rome.  Remember also:  this is just the best and the worst of my week.  There is so much that happened in between.

 Finally, one last thing:  An intro to JEN'S AMAZING POSTCARD SCAVENGER HUNT!  I have acquired twelve different scenes of Rome (see picture)  that I need to find.  I'll be posting which ones I find each week.  The first one is the Trevi Fountain and I can mark it found! Under construction, but found!