Voligia Di Girovagare

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S e m p r e

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A m o r e

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I ’ I t a l i a

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2015

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ASU STUDY ABROAD

01 “Everything I was I carry with me.

Everything I will be lies on the road ahead.

-Majian

FIRST NIGHT IN ROME When we finally arrived in Rome, after unpacking we decided to go find somewhere to enjoy our first Italian dinner in Italy. After wandering around for about 5 minutes, we saw the edge of the Colosseum! Completely and utterly amazed at not only how stunningly beautiful the architecture was in real life, but also at how close it was to our apartment! We decided to go see it up close. I can’t even describe the feeling you get when you finally get to see such an amazing historical site as this in person. I

have always wanted to travel the world and see the great historical sites such as this, along with the many sites I will continue to see along this trip, but seeing it in person, just realizing how anormously beautiful it is in person, is absolutely breath taking. It was really love at first sight. Just standing there in awe of its greatness and thinking of all of the amazing, and some horrific things that used to go on in this city is almost too much for me to fathom or even wrap my mind around. After finally breaking away from

the Colosseum, we turned around and went on a slight night time tour through some more ruins before finally getting back towards our apartment for some dinner. We decided to stop at an outside restaurant where I ordered my first Italian pizza. I have to say, after getting food poisoning the last 2 times I had pizza in America, with it being over 2 years ago since I had had my last piece of pizza, I was pretty nervous to eat pizza again. However, as soon as I had that first bite, I was in love. Italian pizza is nothing like the American version of pizza. Not only is the taste 100,000,000 times better, but the fact that it’s made with all natural ingredients makes it even better! After we finished our dinner we went back to our apartment where we finally got to shower and go to bed. Personally, I am still a little jet lagged from the flights over to Italy. But it is all worth just to be able to see such absolutely astounding sites as the sites I have seen in the past two days. I think it’s safe to say I’m in love. With this city. With this country. With Italian food. With the Italian language itself. And of course with the architecture and the history in this amazing city.

02 “Not all those who wander are lost.�

-J.R.R. Tolkien

LOST One of my biggest fears since I was a small child is getting lost. The thought of not knowing where you are and having no clue on how to get anywhere from that point on is absolutely terrifying.

Now. Let’s amplify the feeling of being lost by throwing you in a new city you’ve never been in before, in a country where

been more comfortable being lost! You might have no clue where you are, but the amazing things you stumble upon while being hopelessly lost give you a sense of adventure. Sometimes you may even randomly walk up on something that you’ve been dying to visit while you were in this city! Honestly, I have been

they don’t speak your language, without knowing anyone else other than the people that came overseas with you, and all you have to navigate is a map and the few street signs that actually exist in Rome. Normally, that would be absolutely horrific. However, I’ve never

lost for at least 20-30 minutes every day we have been here so far. And the crazy thing is that I don’t mind it at all!

I actually really like just walking around and having no clue where we are. I think I have finally found the true definition of wanderlust.

03

“Study the science of art.

Study the art of science.

Develop your senses, learn how to see.

Realize that everything connects to everything else.�

-Leonardo DaVinci

CLASS IN ROME During our first week in Rome, we hit all of the main sites to see. First, we saw through the Capital Museum. Walking through we saw amazing artifacts. We saw the only bronze statue that is left in Rome that’s dated back to before the Roman Christian period. The Christians melted down all of the bronze statues because they thought of them to be Pagen. the Christians mistook this to be a statue of the first Roman Christian Emperor, Constantine, when it is really

we decided to start at the top and work our way down. Once we got to the top, I do have to say that it didn’t really look as I imagined it would. I imagined the inside of the arena to be flat and grassy. However, it is open to what is left of the hallways, trap doors, and elevators that they used as special effect and to get the animals around during the times of entertainment. Even though it didnt look as i had imagined it was still amazing. Just to stand there in awe and imagining everything that happened there. Trying to imagine setting up in the stands as the Gladiators fought to the death with each other and battles animals. I was completely and utterly astounded. Not to mention the size of the Colosseum! You think its large just by looking at pictures of it, but until you see it in person, you never realize how big it really is.

A few days later, we went to the Pantheon. Though I had the Greek Parthenon and the Roman Pantheon backwards, and I was expecting it to be a temple built for Athena, it was still amazing. The tombs of the first two kings of Italy are buried there. Also, the tomb of the famous artist Raphael is a statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. We also saw also located inside the Pantheon. amazing art works such as original paintings by Anthony Van Dyck. I was shocked to be seeing an original Van Dyck Though we never went into it, because we live by the painting in person. I was so excited I was literally jumping Altare Della Patria, we have gotten to see this beautiful and pointing in pure excitement. building from the outside just about every day. We also live by the Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was stabbed.

We also went and toured the Roman Forum, though we Though now, it is a sanctuary for cats, every year on the Ides only had an hour and a half to walk around, we didn’t get to of March, they put on a reenactment of the stabbing of Julius. see the whole forum. What we did see was still really cool though! It’s an amazing feeling to walk around in the ruins of what used to be the heart of Rome. To walk around and imagine what all happened there back when Rome was in its prime.

Then, we went to tour the inside of the Colosseum after leaving the Roman Forum. After waiting in line, and going through security, we finally were inside. We walked around the outer columns of the Colosseum until we found the stairs,

04 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”

-Henry Miller

SORELLE ASSUMONO ROMA I woke up this morning at 5:30 am so I could leave my apartment and be at termini to catch the 6 am train to the Fiumicino Aeroporto. I had to be there by the time my sister, Amber’s, flight landed at 7:35 am. After walking around in the airport a little lost, a kind worker from the airport approached me and asked if i needed help finding some thing or someone.

After our previous runins with the gypsies I was a little worried. Until the airport security guy came over to help as well. Thankfully, they told me exactly how to get to the arrival meeting point. I went down and waited for my sister. I haven’t seen my sister for a couple of months, so the anxiety was building. As I saw her walk around the corner, I started to tear up. Whether it was from being home sick, and seeing a familiar face was so refreshing, or if it was just simply because I missed her so much, I have no clue. After talking for a few minutes,we headed towards the trains to get back to my apartment. We dropped her bags off and changed into more modest clothing so we could go and visit St. Peter’s Bascillica and the Sistine Chapel. We got her a bus/metro pass and headed to the Vatican.

After arrival, we realized that maybe this wasn’t the best decision, considering the line was backed up almost all the way around the entire Piazza. After being completely amazed with the beauty that lies within Saint Peter’s Basilica, we headed back to my apartment. Once we got back to my apartment, since we now had access to wifi, we pulled up her apartment. Thankfully it isn’t far from where we stay! We took her bags and checked out her place for the night. Afterwards,

we decided to go tour the colosseum and the roman forum. This being my second time inside the colosseum, it wasn’t nearly as packed as the first time thankfully! We wondered around and I watched as her eyes lit up with amazement as mine did the first time I saw the colosseum. Once we decided we could see just about everything there is to see in the colosseum, we headed over to the Roman Forum. As this was also my second time in the forum, we decided to explore the top half if the forum. It was absolutely beautiful up there! I am so glad we decided to go there today. I missed so much of the forum the first go around and I am more than happy I finally got to see all of it. From then

beautiful gardens, to the ruins of Augustus’ Palace and private theatre, it was astonishing! Also, the view from the back/top of the forum was breath taking! You can see all of Rome from there! It was absolutely beautiful. Once our hunger got to us, we went and had dinner not far from the colosseum. It was a little on the pricey side, but it was worth it. By far the best Italian food I have had since I have been here! I know I have been rather home sick lately, but having my sister come has brought me out of it. I am so glad she decided to come and spend time with me in Italy! It’s a perfect sister adventure!

05

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance. To seek him is the greatest adventure. To find him is the greatest human achievement.�

-Augustine of Hippo

THE VATICAN CITY As we are finishing out the last full week here in Rome, our class is going to the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. After getting a little lost, thinking that we were supposed to meet outside of Saint Peter’s Basilica, we finally found our class mates on a street corner just outside of the Vatican Museum. Once we entered the museum, we went to a counter where they handed us all headsets that were connected to Dr. Balducci, so she was our tour guide for the trip through the museum. However, not long into the museum, we got lost and way ahead of the group. Though we were lost, Madison, Christian

and I still had a blast touring the museum on our own. We finally reached the area right before you enter the Sistine Chapel and we decided to wait for the rest of the class before entering. Once they finally caught up we entered the chapel. This is one of the main things I had been looking forward to this entire trip. Though I have seen more pictures of the Sistine Chapel ceiling than I can count, it still blew me away to see it in person. Michelangelo was truly an astounding artist. I almost cried it was so beautiful. With tears welling in my eyes, I went to take a picture, but was soon yelled at by a tour guide that that was not allowed. I had to get a picture of it though. So, I had Madison and Christian make a wall around me as i kneeled down and shot up towards the ceiling.

After getting my fill on pictures of the ceiling, we decided to leave. The room was packed, we were all squished in there like a can of anchovies.

Having to power through the crowd to get to the exit, we got lost from the group again. We werent too worried about it though, there were signs posted everywhere that led us to the exit.

After exiting the building, Austin texted me.

Apparently there was another way through the museum that led to Saint Peter’s and we werent supposed to leave the building...

Completely separated from the class, we decided to just go wait in the line outside of Saint Peter’s and get in that way. Besides, i had already waited in the line a few days before with Amber, and we got through the line in like 15

minutes. This time was different though. After waiting in the line for an hour and half with the hot sun pelting us on the back of our necks, we finally got through security and got to enter the basilica. As I had already been through the church, i showed the other two around. Though, this time, because the Pope was coming in two days to celebrate Saint Peter’s Day, there were lots of parts blocked off. As I was squeezing into a tight area trying to capture a good picture of the above ground half of Saint Peter’s tomb. I found a stairway that went down! Excited to explore this new discovery, i grabbed Christian and Madison and headed down. Turns out this stairway I found led down to the actual tomb of Saint Peter himself. Yes, I am talking about THE SAINT PETER! The Peter that is in the Bible! One of Jesus’ 12 Apostles!

Completely overwhelmed with the fact that I was in the presence of his remains was almost too much for me to handle. It took everything I had in me not to start bawling right there in the middle of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Just thinking about it now has me tearing up. Spiritually, this was the absolute best day of my entire life other than February 6th, 2009, the day I was saved and the day I was baptized.

After finally being able to walk away from his tomb, we decided it was time to go to the top of the dome. Once again, as this was my second time going up, I do have to say that it was a lot easier the second time. Thankfully, there was almost no one in our way the whole way up. There was no line, no having to stop in a tiny hallway and waiting for the line to move a step or a two at a time. It was so much better this time. Once we got to the top, it was rather crowded, we decided to walk around the whole dome and of course we had to take pictures! When we were finally done trying to fight the crowd to get close to the gate to take pictures, we headed back down. Though we basically toured everything that day by ourselves, I had an awesome time!

Madison and Christian make getting lost fun. I am very thankful that I was lost with these two. It was honestly a lot easier getting around not having to rush, or wait on other people. We got to take our time and go at our own pace. I feel like because we were on our own, we got to see more.

06 “We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.�

-Anita Clara

ROME HOME T H E F I NAL CO U N T D OWN

As today is our last day in Rome, I have been thinking a lot about the past month. Let me just go ahead and get how homesick I am out of the way first.

Yes, I have a countdown to the exact minute our plane lands in Memphis when we get back and yes I’ve had it for a few weeks now. I’m ready for fireworks, lake days with my friends and boyfriend, fishing, squirrel hunting, long nights under the stars, everyone standing around a bon fire, and camping. I’m ready for barbecue, fried chicken, Taco Bell, and sweet tea. Im ready to not have to walk everywhere and be able to drive my truck again. I am ready for my birthday on the 10th and my week in Orange Beach the week after. I’m even ready to move back to Jonesboro the day after i get back from the beach to start training for another year as an RA in North Park Quads. I simply miss my life

about what their lives are like in other countries.

6. I’ve realized that I really need to get my life back on track with God. Going to all of these ancient Roman Catholic Churches are amazing. I saw the tomb of Saint Peter himself. Just standing there using everything i had in me not to bust into tears, in awe of where I was, you could just feel something.

Something you can’t explain, amazing yet mysterious.

7. I’m not scared of getting lost anymore. I’ve come to realize that sometimes when you are lost are when you find the most amazing things.

8. I’ve realized that I could really just up and move anywhere and be fine with it. Anywhere in the world. Yea I’d be homesick and miss some things, but if you were here, I wouldn’t be half as homesick as I am.

back home. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this country and this town with all of the amazing history, architecture and art it has. But at the same time, I am ready to go back home. I miss all of the little things that we take for granted back home, like a dryer for your clothes and your hair. At home you get accustomed to having such privileges, that when we don’t have access to those things anymore, we just about go crazy. I am ready to get back to the comforts of my home and even my quad on campus.

9. I’m not trying to sound uppity or stuck up, but I’ve learned to love myself as well. Like I’ve always been really self conscious about my back, my flat butt and my face that breaks out. But everyone is different. There’s no reason to be self conscious about things. You are you, God made you that way, and he created us all in his image, and that a lone is enough to get me to stop worrying about it. I mean don’t get me wrong, my back is still my biggest insecurity.

Especially on the beach in w bikini where it’s very obvious.

10. I’ve learned to just live life. Stop rushing everything all the time. There’s no need to rush into things. You need to love the life you live. And if you’re rushing from work to school to work again everyday and spending all of your time worrying and rushing from place to place, you’re not giving yourself any time to enjoy life.

11. I’ve learned that my own personal happiness is important. I’ve always been one of those people that have always put everyone before me. I’ve put myself deep into depression trying to keep other out. Although I will always put others before me, I’ve realized that my happiness is just as important.

Although, I am more than excited to share all of the crazy, fun and even the bad experiences I’ve had here in Italy with my friends and family back home.

They aren’t going to believe how the Italians drive. They think I’m a bad driver?

Oh they have no clue. Hahaha I can’t wait to show them all the pictures from the amazing sites I’ve seen. I also can’t wait to tell them about all of the life lessons I have learned, I know it’s only been a month here, but after a month in a country where no one speaks your language, you’re a lone without adult supervision, you have to walk everywhere, you have to learn how to use public transportation, and simply adjust to a new culture all together. It changes you.

I personally feel I’ve changed for the better. In just the short period of a month I’ve learned that: 1. I’m not in a constant rush to do anything anymore. I’m fine with just taking my time and letting things happen whenever they happen.

2. I’m more willing to try new things. From new drinks and new foods, to the clothes that are designed in their crazy idea of fashion.

3. I’m more open to change as well. If something is different then what I’m used to having (like cars and driving everywhere), then I’m perfectly fine with doing whatever I need to do to adapt!

4. I’m not as scared of big groups of people anymore. I’ve actually had to approach them, tell them our photography assignment and talk them into letting us take their pictures.

5. I’m totally fine with meeting new people and making friends from all over the world! I actually really love asking where people are from and finding out

This trip has taught me so much. Though I am in a weird/confusing state where I am sad that its over already, but at the same time, I am also more than ready to be home. Its sad walking past things i have become so used to seeing everyday knowing that this will be the last time that I see them. I really am going to miss the amazing architecture, history and art that this beautiful city holds within. I can not thank Dr. Balducci and Professor Vickrey enough for coming around to my different classes and telling us about this trip. Without them grabbing my attention, I would have never worked as hard as I did to get where I am now. From the fall semester, working 3 part-time jobs, staying in Jonesboro over Thanksgiving and Christmas break to work full-time at Jos. A. Bank, to the spring semester working 2 full-time jobs all while going to school full-time, saving money, I worked very hard to be here and the result was more than worth it. Coming to Italy has always been a dream of mine. I thank God, i have finally been able to fulfill that dream.