I’m leaving Rome tomorrow. How can this be? I just got here! I will admit, I am definitely ready to go home. I’m ready to see my family, friends, boyfriend, and my dog. I’m ready for fattening foods with gross, artificial coloring and flavors. But, I’m also already planning out my next international adventure simultaneously. This past week was significantly more laid back. I spent a lot of time simply walking around Rome and working on travel writing pieces. So, I’d like to talk about a few interesting experiences I had this past week. On Tuesday, I ventured out into the streets of Rome with a mission- find the Italian McDonald’s. My roommate and I, sick of pizza and pasta, decided to find some American comfort food. What’s more American than McDonald’s? As we stepped into the air conditioned establishment, we were a tad taken aback. It didn’t have the typical McDonald’s smell. It didn’t have the typical cafeteria aesthetic, or a sassy, acne covered teenager working the register. It was very similar to any other to-go pizza place in Italy, but, instead of pizza you order burgers. I opted for a McFlurry, which was by far the best McFlurry I’ve ever had in my life, only confirming my theory that when in Rome, everything is better.

This week we ventured out to Tivoli to visit the Tivoli gardens. I had thought that Florence was my favorite part of the trip…until I saw Tivoli that is. Tivoli is an old town surrounded by farms and mountains about an hour train ride outside Rome. The people are extremely friendly and the food was to die for. I absolutely loved walking around the Tivoli gardens. It was so relaxing! The gardens were filled with beautiful fountains and flowers. It was like walking through a maze. If I could plan my own engagement, I would become engaged in Tivoli.

Yesterday morning, I woke up at 6:30 (I’m not a morning person so I’m not sure why I chose to torture myself) to make the tedious walk to the Vatican to visit Saint Peter’s Basilica. Despite the long walk and waking up early, I am so glad I made the trip. The only way I could possibly describe Saint Peter’s Basilica would be to say it is like Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on steroids. It was gorgeous! It was so massive that there were multiple masses going on at once and not a single one could be heard by the other. It was absolutely gorgeous inside as well.

It was raining as we departed from the basilica. I must note that when marble and/or cobblestone is wet, it is EXTREMELY slippery. Imagine ice skating without ice skates. I learned this the hard way as I promptly slipped and fell hard. I still can’t decide what is more embarrassing; the fact that I fell and wanted to just lay on the marble for the rest of my life, or the fact that I fell in front of two very handsome Italian men.
Overall, I absolutely loved studying abroad. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I cannot wait for my next adventure abroad.