Well, this looks like it’ll be my last blog (at least to cover this trip). Although it seems like I’ve been away from you all for almost a lifetime, I also can’t believe that my semester abroad is coming to a close. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that I was stepping off of the plane hoping that my broken language skills would be enough to get me to where I was staying...
I’ve been keeping busy these two weeks of “vacation” by trekking around the city making sure I see all of the places on the list I’ve been adding to all semester, and at the top of that list was climbing the 551 steps to reach the top of St. Peter's Basilica - and let me tell you, it was worth it. Over these days, I’ve also been to countless churches, seen lots of art, and found all sorts of lesser-known tourist spots. I’ve also passed a good amount of time just watching people, which may sound odd, but in this hot and muggy weather it’s one of the best ways to stay entertained and keep cool! At this time of year, the city has also exploded with dusk-and-later street shopping, meaning that people just set up tents in rows along the river and they are either running restaurants or are just selling stuff. And by stuff, I mean everything from jewelry and shoes to scented soaps to ceramic trolls to chances to win a number of large prizes, such as iPods and MacBook computers. It’s such a cool environment, with music blasting in the muggy air in one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.
I also had my gospel choir concert a few weeks ago, which wasn’t the best that I’ve ever performed in, but was such a blast. I realized after I had been here awhile that I missed singing. Since around fourth grade, I have either been a member of a choir (or more), served as a cantor at church, along with annoying whoever I happen to be living with by singing almost 24/7. I enjoyed singing with this group of really great people, who became a group of friends that I would love to see again one day. I loved singing with them, but I also loved being their dictionary and occasional pronunciation guide – must be one of those things about loving languages. Anytime I can step in and help people by translating (which I do pretty often here), it’s almost like I re-remember why I decided to choose the major I did. I got to do this a bit more when the one and only Katie Seager came to visit me from Dublin, and in between showing her around the city and making her eat some of the best food on the planet I served as her translator as well. I gave her the great Roman tour (which by now, I think I’ve perfected), which was timed perfectly because it also meant that I got to go around and see everything at least one more time before I head back.
On the 28th, I went with Katja, a German classmate, to Tivoli. This town is situated on a hill east of Rome, and was where the popes, emperors, and/or rich families built their vacation houses, or retreat houses out of the city. We went to Villa d’Este, which is a huge property that is now super-famous for its gardens and the fountains that you find there. After strolling through the town and picking up a picnic lunch, we entered the site and started our search for the perfect spot to eat. The biggest problem there was choosing a spot because the whole place is amazing. I am still astounded by how these people were able to make such art out of water. You know, that compound that is all over the place and at least half of the time we take for granted. We may have discussed the possibility of one day having enough money to create our own gardens like those...
And for a final trip, Mom and Dad helped me get to Switzerland this weekend to see Maria, who was there with the Ohio Ambassadors of Music, a group that travels Europe and gives concerts (band and choir) and, coincidentally, I also travelled with four years ago. As much as I do love Rome, it was downright glorious to go up into the mountains and breathe clean air, walk around as a tall blonde and not stick out like a sore thumb, and to be able to look people in the eye and smile at them as you passed them on the street. The only problem? This was the part of Switzerland that speaks French...which I don’t actually know. I soon discovered that this wasn’t a problem, as everyone assumed that it was just going to be the next language I learned, so many worked with my other language skills and a few others gave me French lessons. The part that I found most interesting was that once I figured out what sound each letter makes, I was able to understand most of what people said as long as they spoke clearly because of similarities to Spanish and/or Italian. I spent most of my time wandering around and breathing. Not kidding. And I loved it! I also got to spend a lot of time with Maria 
(and Paul and their friend Bryan) when they had free time in town. Their concert on Saturday night was really great, and I felt like I was transported back in time as the choir sang some of the same songs that we did four years ago, and especially as they performed the finale of “America the Beautiful” together with the band. I have a secret theory that Mom knew that if she sent me to Switzerland to hear that song then I would be more ready to return to the land of cookouts, corn-on-the-cob, and apple pie. She was right.
The last few days I had in Italy I spent with the people I’ve gotten to know over the semester – my friends at my residence, my university, and the different contacts I’ve made across the city. Those few days were bittersweet - full of tears and sadness to go, but I was so grateful to have met these amazing people and to have all of these experiences. When I made it to the airport on Wednesday, I found out that my flight (for some unknown reason) to New York was cancelled. yep, what luck. I spent the night in a little town called Ostia, which is a coast town of Rome relaxing in a free hotel, eating free food, and enjoying a little more time on the Italian beach. The next morning I took a shuttle to the airport (early) and got to New York on time, only to have my flight to Columbus delayed three hours. After all of these semi-minor technical errors, I was greeted with open arms by my family, who are all very glad to have me back.
I can’t put into words how much this experience has meant to me (although when you see me in person, I may be able to supplement with my Italian hand motions) and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. However, I know now that it’s time for it to be over and time for me to move on. I hope that someday I can return, but until then...who knows?
