ROME.  This is where I have been for the past week and a half and so far it has been unbelievable.  I am in Rome for the Fall I program and am staying at the Walsh university campus in Castel Gandolfo, Rome.  Basically I am staying in Rome, various parts of Italy and other countries throughout Europe for 8 weeks.  Did I mention it’s not just me embarking on this journey, but I am accompanied by eleven fellow Walsh students (whom all happen to be women, but that’s besides the point haha).  As well as our esteemed professor from Walsh Dr. Kai Brunkalla, who is a native of Germany with a flavorful sense of humor, and also our travel guide, Italian teacher, event organizer, and all around Renaissance man Dr. Danilo Mori who fits the Italian cliché of knowing someone, who is related to someone, who in turn knows someone else! 

I could literally write about the various sites I’ve seen and the experiences I have had for days and I have only been here for a fraction of the time.  However, in order to not steer you away I’ll refrain from supersizing this blog and will merely give you a taste of what the group in Rome has done so far and of the grandeur path that lies ahead.  For me, day one immediately began as a jaw-dropper.  Picture this, a macho man that I claim to be steps out of the very famous Roma Termini train station only to be confronted by the magnificent COLISEUM!  Words cannot describe how stunned I was; put it this way— a pick pocketing gypsy with no arms could have made away with all my belongings right then and there.

             The group inside the Coliseum

Throughout the rest of the first week we walked through various awe inspiring sites such as the Roman Forum, which acted as the city square of Rome and of whose remnants reflect Rome’s illustrious history.  On the second day we took a tour through the Coliseum, which I believe should be on everyone’s bucket list of places to not only see, but stand in and feel the power that forever echoes through the grand arches.  Next we made our way to the Pantheon which till this day is still a marvel of architectural achievement and is another can’t miss site in Rome.  Whew!  I am only at 3 of about 100 unforgettable sites that we have already seen and I believe I am starting to sound like a History buff who you’re thinking about hitting the snooze button on.  So in order to keep the crowd coming back for more I’ll leave you with a preview of what’s to come.

The next time I sign back in I’ll give you the unique and flavorful details of my weekend in Cinque Terre, where I was accompanied by a few of my fellow students.  Also, you will receive a taste of nightlife, which so far in Cinque Terre and Rome has been second to none.   Week two has been just as adventurous and our weekend ahead will be in Venice where gondolas tow lovers from port to port and the Vino never runs dry.  Until next time…Arrivederci and Good Luck with the upcoming school year.

       Some of the Group and myself in Cinque Terre