ROM-ah RO-mah mah

I have officially lived in Italy for one month, can you believe it?!

Last night, I got back from Rome, and I cannot even begin to tell you how spectacular it was. I love Florence, don't get me wrong, but there is something about Rome that is so invigorating. The first day we kicked off the trip with a tour of the Roman Forum. This form dates back to 1st century and was used as a political center, a market place, a social space, and a place of prayer. The archeologists have discovered more and more layers to this forum meaning that underneath it's current main level, there are other ruins and stone figures dating back to ancient times before the 1st century. However, these archeologists were stopped from continuing their digs because it was tearing up the ground. Julius Caesar was just one of the few notorious leaders that walked about in this forum. Being there was an incredibly moving experience for me.

The Roman Forum was my absolute favorite thing to see...but other places that I visited were the Pantheon, Trevi fountain, Colosseum, Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, Villa Borghese, another famous Villa with Rafael's works, the Trastevere area (my favorite place..very hippy-esqe), and the Spanish Steps. The history behind these buildings and areas is fascinating. Florence is where Italian art and architecture is the focus while Rome is where ancient ruins, politics, emperors, religious figures, and activism began and still found today. Of course elaborate art and architecture is found in Rome too, but those elements have a different purpose there and tend to support the political and religious activism of the city.

Favorite piece of art I saw while in Rome: Bellini's statue of Apollo and Daphne. google image it.

This statue marks the high Renaissance period as it begins to move into the Baroque period. Bellini carved the 2 mythological characters, their draperies, the branches, the bark, the leaves...EVERYTHING out of ONE piece of marble. It's remarkable. It pays attention to the human form unlike anyone before him ever had. Bellini's statue gave me the chills.

What else can I tell you about Rome? Hm...Roman bar life is fun! I spoke Italian with one of the bar owners of this place called the Drunken Ship and he gave me 3 free shots... after those three shots I turned into ghetto Hayley and had a "walk it out" competition with this blonde chick from L.A. And I won. I got an applause from the crowd...it was embarrassing but hilarious. When in Rome, right?

Tonight I'm going to the Florence vs. Milan soccer game in downtown Florence. It's going to be nuts.

I still cannot believe I'm here having all of these experiences. I never take it for granted. There is something to be said that it's been one month now and I've been insomnia free! Every step of every experience is enjoyable. Waiting for delayed trains, getting lost in the city, tripping over a cobblestone, standing on a crowded bus, misunderstanding an Italian's directions, setting off beepers in art museums, not knowing what you just ordered, and pissing off grocery store clerks with your American ignorance... all of these things are not a burden. They are fun, they make me laugh, they thrill me, and I'm going to miss every single one. Most people have little patience for these types of occurrences, but to me, they make life exciting, spontaneous and surprising. Shout out to Alan Blum for making these amazing moments possible. Also, shout out to my friends for consistently wanting to hear and read the overly analytical descriptions of my experiences. I appreciate you more while living here.

Until next time..

Keepin' it real