I have spoken a lot about the places I have visited in Rome, all the churches, the endless visits to St. Peter's, and trips to England, France, Sicily, Venice, Assisi and more. But although the places are fantastic, what really lingers the most in memories are the people. Oh have I met some wonderful people in the city of Rome and learned so much from them.
First and foremost, here's a thanks to the random people that I meet upon the streets that have welcomed me into everyday Roman life. Take the last Sunday I spent in Rome. I decided that day to go on a new adventure and attend an extraordinary Latin Mass, a mass structured in the pre-Vatican II tradition. I stumbled and fumbled throughout the entire mass, trying to adjust to the foreign words and the new format. However, after the mass, a young lady who had sat near me approached me and extended her hand. There was coffee and pastries in the back if I wanted to join her. Honored by this invitation, I did go back and talk to my new American friend Catarina for over fifteen minutes about who we were, what we were doing in Rome and what we thought of the mass. Now, I would most likely never see this person ever again in my life, but at that moment I saw a snapshot of a stranger's life and meet a wonderful child of God. I would have loved to accept her further invitation to have lunch, but I could not because of a preplanned appointment. Sad that I had to walk away from such a great conversation, I thought about how my one new friend demonstrated the welcome feeling that I have found elsewhere in Rome, be it in the people who are at mass with me, or begin talking to me on the bus. I even have an Italian partner from a local high school and she has been more than welcoming to me throughout the semester. The people of Rome have wanted to get to know me, and I am thankful to have the chance to know just some of its residents.
Immediately following that extraordinary mass, I made my way down to visit the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. I knew one of their sisters back in America, so I figured, why not at least stop and say hi in Rome so I can say I met more of these great sisters? Granted I spent twice as long as I planned trying to get there as I couldn't find the right bus stop and had to wait for more than several other buses, but getting lost was so worth it. Walking in, one sister eagerly greeted me and immediately started telling me all about the community, while also looking to see if I wanted any ice cream. As the two of us continue talking and three more sisters come to see who I was. When they found that I knew one of their sisters in America, they could not get enough of me. Each of the four sisters in the room were trying to talk to me at once, plus the other random sisters that popped in wanting to be introduced. It was a half an hour of overwhelming gladness as I tried to sort out who I was talking to. The evening slowed down more as I joined them in Evening prayer and the then a great dinner. During dinner and afterwards I talked to specifically one sister, so I wasn't as overwhelmed, and I truly got to know her and ask all the questions I wanted. She told me how she worked in Bangladesh, but visited Rome for an international conference. After a walk around the garden, I said goodbye at least ten times before I was able to leave the property. I will always remember these sisters, how they cared for me, and how they were so attentive to every move I made, treating me like a sister myself. Ending my last Sunday in Rome could not have been on a more beautiful and loving note.
However, it was not the final end of my journey in Rome. This truly ended with the best showcase of how the people I met in Rome are. The Monday night before the plane ride back to America, I had just finished all of my projects and finals, and needed to pack like no other before I had to check out of my room. But rather than stress myself over packing, I decided to go down and meet two of my friends who were meeting with some of the sisters who were hosting us in their convent. They were supposed to be watching a movie with several of the sisters, but instead I walked into a dance party with the one sister who came. It really had nothing to do with anything and was very spontaneous, but for an hour we danced around the world. The sister taught us a Polish dance, a Greek dance, and even a Jewish dance, while we taught her an American square dance. Dancing the night away with no worries proved the greatest thing I could need at that moment. And it was our way of giving thanks to the people who have provided such generosity. Who knew a dance party could have meant so much? All I know that it was the perfect cap on a semester in which I have received so much hospitality. I can only hope that I can learn and transfer that same hospitality to the people I go back to in America.
Finally, Last Two Scavenger Hunt pictures! #11 is a look a like, as it is not San Vincenzo al Volturno, a monastery located south of Rome. Rather, this is S. Anselmo al Aventino, a church on what is still my favorite place in Rome, the Aventine Hill! It's got a bell tower, a tall archway, circular windows and a pointed rooftop, making it a good lookalike. #12 on the other hand doesn't look like the postcard too much. Well, these postcards finally stumped me. Throughout all 12 weeks I could not figure out where on earth to find these fountains. But they were under an archway so instead I took a picture with the postcard in an archway in Piazza del Popolo.
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