La Prima Settimana a Roma!

     My first week in Rome has been a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences. On one hand it feels like I've been here forever while on the other it feels like the trip is moving way too fast. So far, I've really enjoyed being able to explore the city at such a slow pace and really absorb the sites. I've been very fortunate to travel in the past and this is my second visit to Rome, but I've never been able to experience truly living in a city abroad. Contrary to what I would have thought before my arrival, seeing iconic sites such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vittoriano, among many others in such a casual way such as riding by on a bike or driving by in a taxi gives me a whole other level of appreciation for them and what they contribute to the city. 

  These first photos were taken from my first night in Rome and from an overnight trip I took to Passignano Sul Trasimeno to see one of my favorite bands play at a lakeside medieval fortress. These two experiences were really special to me because I have never experienced exploring a city abroad completely on my own before, and I was blown away at how easy it is to meet fellow solo travelers and make friends. 

    Upon returning from Passignano Sul Trasimeno, I was able to move into my apartment in Trastevere provided by Global Seminars. I was very excited to be staying in Trastevere because it is the medieval quarter and it has such a cool vibe, especially at night where they feature a market along the Tiber river. I was very excited to find that all of my apartment mates and other people on the trip are all down to explore the city and have a good time. On our first night, we already felt very close together, I think largely because sharing such an incredible experience together can make people feel as though they have known each other forever. 

    So far this week we have visited the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, the Jewish Quarter, Centro Storico, Palazzo Massimo, and the Terme di Diocleziano. It's crazy that we're only one week into our trip and we've already seen so much. I've never been on a trip abroad and felt like I was gaining such a deep understanding of the history and culture of the city around me. I can't wait to see what comes next!!