A City Frozen in Time: Roma, Italia

Jillian Salerno is a student at Salsbury University and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Rome, Italy.

Henry Miller once said “One’s destination is never a place but a new way of seeing things.” I kept this quote in the back of my mind when boarding the plane to enter my semester in a new world in Rome, Italy. With butterflies in my stomach, I was ready to tackle all the experiences that were in my near future. My butterflies soon turned into goosebumps when seeing the Eternal City for the very first time.

The Colosseum' This picture was taken during our bus tour of Rome that ISA had provided for us as part of orientation when we first arrived
The Colosseum’ This picture was taken during our bus tour of Rome that ISA had provided for us as part of orientation when we first arrived

My first few days in Rome were spent touring around and seeing all the breathtaking monuments. The thing about this city is that there is history on every corner whether it is worldwide known monument ruins, the hundreds of churches, or even just everyday buildings you never would of known about just from looking them up on the internet.

These are the ruins of the Roman Forum and are some of the most important archaeological sites in the world, not to mention over three thousand years old!
These are the ruins of the Roman Forum and are some of the most important archaeological sites in the world, not to mention over three thousand years old!
This building, otherwise known to some of the students as "the white cake" for its many layers, is located in Piazza Venezia which is the heart of the whole city
This building, otherwise known to some of the students as “the white cake” for its many layers, is located in Piazza Venezia which is the heart of the whole city

A couple of the friends I made here and I went to go get gelato and a famous gelateria (ice cream shop!) we heard about in a neighborhood near Piazza Venezia. After wandering for awhile with no direction in mind, we miraculously stumbled upon Vatican City, considered to be the smallest country in the world.

This is the view my friends and I saw once entering the city
This is the view my friends and I saw once entering the city
St. Peter's Basilicia' Otherwise known as the "greatest church in Christendom" is one of the most famous and beautiful sights to see in the Vatican
St. Peter’s Basilicia’ Otherwise known as the “greatest church in Christendom” is one of the most famous and beautiful sights to see in the Vatican
These are the stairs that lead you toward the exit of the Vatican Museum. Even the stairs are just as gorgeous as the art in the museum!
These are the stairs that lead you toward the exit of the Vatican Museum. Even the stairs are just as gorgeous as the art in the museum!

Like any other tourist, I was amazed by the difference in cultures from what I am use to in America. I was full of excitement that was close to impossible to contain. From all the hustle and bustle of such a big city, I was pleased to know how comforting Rome felt to me. In an ironic way, the city gave me the impression that a small town full of charm and culture would immerse onto any visitor. The best way to describe this feeling to me is “stepping back in time”.

Here are a couple street artists I passed while wandering on my way to the Trevi Fountain.
Here are a couple street artists I passed while wandering on my way to the Trevi Fountain.
This is one of the most famous fountains in Rome. Thousands of people everyday throw a coin into the fountain hoping for their wishes to come true.
This is one of the most famous fountains in Rome. Thousands of people everyday throw a coin into the fountain hoping for their wishes to come true.

My first few days were full of wandering eyes and tired feet, but the days of touring like a tourist were over. It was time for me to start roaming like a true Roman.

As you can tell, I am a little too excited to be here.
As you can tell, I am a little too excited to be here.

Of course those butterflies come back every now and then, which is perfectly normal, and I expect them to never go away fully. In the first short couple of days here though I was more than ready to accept what life was going to offer me while in Roma. So far, I would say this city and I are going to get along just fine.

This breathtaking view is from the top terrace of my university.
This breathtaking view is from the top terrace of my university.

The world awaits…discover it.

 

 

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