Reflection

Hello all,

It’s good to be home once again, though I am suffering PRD (Post-Rome Depression). However, my bed feels amazing, Coop’s and Skyline tasted delicious, and cuddling with my dogs was priceless. Oh, and not to mention my best friend from whom I’m inseparable is home (Kelly, duh)! I was nervous to come home at first because I knew nothing would be as extraordinary as the trip, but now, I’m feeling as if the trip gave me a lot to think about and enough time to refresh after the school year and get excited for summer. I can now move forward.

I don’t want to go abroad for the semester next year, I’ve decided. Yes, UC sometimes overwhelms me, it is true, but that’s because the every day life of any person is overwhelming. If I lived in another country for 6 months, that country would become the “every day” I’m trying to run away from. There would be good days and bad days, and I wouldn’t embrace every moment because the moment would be longer. In Rome, the trip was so short that I had to breathe in every second of it. I want to do more trips like Rome through honors that are short and sweet; I see the culture, and it’s amazing, but I come back. There’s no use sitting here and thinking of where I could be; I need to embrace where I am. 

Rome made me realize a lot about myself, and it helped me fall in love with life all over again. I went on the trip stressed from exams and moving back home and leaving behind my beautiful campus that housed all my beautiful friends, but I came back feeling fresh and new. I’m one of those people that likes to be alone A LOT, and I was worried Rome would be overwhelming because of being with people 24/7, but in fact, I found that I like it, and I have a great ability to care about people, and I want to explore that more and stop isolating myself so much. Netflix has been a good friend to me, but I’m ready to move on 😉

Rome also made me realize that I may not be the next Lizzie McGuire, but I am the first Elysse Winget, and that’s pretty cool too. I don’t know where I’ll end up going next on a trip, but I know that the longest trip I will take will be the one here in Cincinnati and I look forward to a summer full of new experiences and the people I’ve grown so close to!

Thanks for keeping up with my blog throughout the trip! And now… arrivederci! 

-Elysse

 

The Last Day

The last day was remarkable, and the best way to end the trip. Ellen, Bri, Liz, and I slept in a bit and then went to the University of Roma and walked around pretending to be college students! After that, we met up with the group and had pizza at the number one rated pizza joint in Rome, and had gelato at he number one rated gelato shop around the corner. We played music and danced because of how happy we were with our meal!

After that, we walked to the Spanish Steps and had a beer and walked around one of the parks near Villa Borghese. We even rented the bikes and rode around, enjoying the atmosphere!

We then got souvenirs and went back to the hotel, then headed out later to dinner and the bars. We tried not to stay out too late because of the flight, but we had a good time regardless! On the way home, Ellen and Flanagan and I found a sketchy photobooth and took a picture that was HILARIOUS and then headed back to the hotel and cuddled all three of us and fell asleep to the office. In the midst of all of this, Flanagan said “ten days ago, I didn’t even know you.” It’s crazy to think that we all got so close in such a small amount of time… I feel like these people are my family!

We woke up this morning and headed out– right now I’m in the Atlanta airport. I plan on writing a reflection post soon, so keep posted. Ciao for now!

 

AF

Day 7

Ciao!

Yesterday was a great, packed day! We went to the Catacombs and the Baths in the morning, then took a half day trip to the Tivoli Gardens and made it back to the hotel around 5 o’clock. The Catacombs were interesting, though I wish I had seen more than we were able, and the Baths were incredible; I remember learning about the Baths and all that in high school latin classes, so it all came back to me when walking through and hearing the names of each room and whatnot. 

Tivoli was my absolute favorite though; Paolo and Lizzie go there in the Lizzie McGuire movie… so I mean… that might have been part of it… but it was beyond beautiful. There’s fountains and greenery galore and we all seemed to really enjoy the scenery. It’s always nice to just relax and walk around something peaceful. We had lunch in Tivoli as well; sausage and potato pizza (as weird as that sounds) and naturally gelato for dessert. 

After Tivoli, I relaxed a bit in the hotel and then made plans with some of the group to go towards one of the piazzas we had seen earlier in the week and try for dinner– we found a quaint restaurant there and ate delicious pasta, and then went to another restaurant for drinks. I didn’t get home until around 1 in the morning, but it was amazing! I think my favorite part of this trip is that there is something historical EVERYWHERE. Every night when we walk home, we pass the Colosseum as if it’s no big deal, and that astounds me. Something so amazing, and it’s just there every day as if it’s casual. 

Today we have the entire day free so I’m not sure where that will lead us– lots of people went back to the Vatican early this morning, but me and a few others opted to sleep in a bit and try to do adventure elsewhere. I’m not looking forward to coming home… this trip has been amazing. All of us agree that the entire group just makes the trip and the relationships we’ve formed are truly unique. I’m almost afraid to go home because personally, I’m so happy here that I don’t want to settle back into my every day routine, granted I’m excited for my job this summer and seeing my friends from home… I just… nothing will be the same after this trip, as cheesy and cliche as that sounds. This was truly an experience. 

Before I get too sappy, I’ll leave you all with this: at some point in your life, travel. I don’t care if it’s 20 minutes south of where you live or half way around the world, but go somewhere new and experience things outside of your comfort zone. A year ago, the thought of me going abroad for any amount of time was crazy and not something I felt capable of… but now, here I am, and I couldn’t be happier. 

Love always,

 

Lizzie McGuire

PS- I did impersonate an Italian pop sensation on the radio so I can sign off as her now. 

Day 6

Ciao America!

Today was our day trip to Assisi and it was GORGEOUS! The ride there was beautiful; the Italian countryside is something I cannot describe in words. I wanted to sleep on the bus ride but I also didn’t want to miss anything! Assisi itself is not too large, but it was heavily populated yesterday because its a holiday weekend. Luckily, we were able to find a quiet place for lunch consisting of a coke and pasta amatriciana! After that, we wandered around the town until it was time to go back to the bus.

The bus ride home was probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever experienced… there were loads of buses trying to make it back into Rome because of the soccer game going on between Florence and Napoli, so buses like ares were pulled up right next to ours only on their buses, there was lots of alcohol and little shame… I saw a total of 10 butts and much more but rather than paint a colorful image for you, I’ll just let your imagination do the wandering. The men also made lots of gestures to me, sexually, which was uncomfortable– one guy even got out of the bus and slapped the window of our bus! That’s dedication my friend… and also creepy.

After that interesting bus ride, we came back to the hotel and took a half hour to indulge in free wifi and then continue our evening. We went to this area across the Tiber called Trastavere, which is basically the OTR of Rome, and had drinks at a bar, then went to dinner, and then headed home. The walk was extensive, especially at night, but we had a large enough group that we were okay.

Tomorrow is the baths and the catacombs! I’m seeing so much 🙂 and it’s incredible… never want to come home!

Ciao for now!

 

Day 5

Ciao!

So last night ended well– I went to a cafe on the street by myself and had a daiquiri and spent a moment alone just to write… It was beautiful! As much as I love the group, I love my alone time too.

today was a big day… We went to Castel St. Angelo which had an AMAZING view of all of Rome as well as Vatican City… We took lots of good pictures there!

We had lunch on the streets and it started to poor raining but I got gelato so it was fine… Then it was off to the Vatican! Oh and did I mention somewhere in there that I got engaged? It was fake to see if people would believe it on the streets but it was so funny. So yes, Flanagan and I are engaged (lol).

After a rainy day at the Vatican, we found more gelato and dinner– pasta and beer (as usual) and now we are relaxing in the hotel! Big day tomorrow at Assissi!

 

 

Day 4

Ciao!

Today was very much a long one! We ventured to the train station around 9 am, wandered a bit, and went to MULTIPLE churches, which featured more Carvaggio, Bernini, and Boromini. For lunch, we ate near Piazza Navona– I had some sort of pasta with spicy tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, and bacon with a virgin shirley temple to drink (it was delicious, no doubt). 

After lunch I walked around the piazza a bit to do some shopping; I got my sister a scarf and the man selling them told me I was pretty (can I just stay here forever please?) It was really interesting being in their marketplace! Lots of dry foods for sale. We then ventured into more churches and then to my favorite place in Rome… THE TREVI FOUNTAIN! It was super crowded today because it’s the Italian version of “labor day” and everyone’s off work, but we still got down to the front. Legend has it that you make your first wish to come back to Rome (a formality of sorts), and then the next wish for love, and then the last wish for whatever you desire. We did the first two, and I’m saving my last wish for the last night 🙂 

After the Trevi we got gelato (naturally), and roamed around churches a bit more in the direction of our hotel. It’s currently 5:50 pm and we are back at the hotel relaxing before embarking on another night out! There’s a concert going on down the street in honor of labor day that we debated going to, but I’m hoping a few of us break off after dinner and go to another rooftop bar or something like that. Tomorrow is the Vatican! Should be a long but enjoyable day 🙂 I’ve never been into St. Peter’s before so I’m VERY much looking forward to that. 

Since being here, I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole going abroad thing; as much as I love it here and never want to come home, there’s something thrilling about the short amount of time I have; it’s special because it’s brief, and it’s a vacation because of that as well. It’s solace from the every day; if I went abroad for a semester, the every day would occur where I was, and it wouldn’t be as special because I wouldn’t be thirsting after seeing everything. I think maybe it’s time to dive into UC deeper and continue getting involved and making a name for myself, seeing where the wind takes me. Trips like these are what I want; where I can come away for a week or more, and see something that is so much superior than myself and over my head, that it reminds me of the good things in life and makes me happy, and then I can go home and resume where I was. It’s important to have roots, I think, and Cincinnati has mine… however, it’s nice to have ten days where I have virtually no worries.

I should be getting to that nap I’ve been craving… I’ll hopefully have the chance to write more tomorrow after the Vatican! Ciao for now! 

Day 3

Buona sera from Rome!

Today we took a day trip to Ostia Antica! Now I’m not going to lie… I’ve been here before and it sucked… but that’s because I had no tour guide and thus no idea what I was looking at or where to begin because the place was so huge– this time, I saw everything for what it was and it was the most beautiful place I have seen! All of us enjoyed it– much more than the Forum even! I took a picture as Hercules, pet multiple pups (because apparently they are everywhere in Ostia, like who knew?), and got lots of good ideas for writing, as well as wrote a bit 🙂 I tell you what– if Rome doesn’t inspire good writing I do not know what does. I’m literally in the center of everything worth writing about. 

After our day trip, we went to lunch where I got noodles in meat sauce and a coke (delicious) and then walked around for a bit, exploring the church that held the chains that bound St. Peter as well as MIchaelangelo’s “Moses” statue. We then ventured to Tiber Island and had gelato and got lost in the city (literally, figuratively, and emotionally). We’re doing so much in such a little amount of time, but it’s all worth it.

In regards to all the churches, it’s really been emotional for me. I’m not Catholic, so it’s still new to me in learning their traditions, but the people here are so dedicated to their faith and visit these churches every day just to kneel before the alter and anoint the heads with holy water; I’ve never known that kind of love, and I greatly respect it. I want to learn to be more dedicated to my faith as well; I see so much of God in this city because it’s extraordinary and there’s no way man built it without help from the guy upstairs, at least in my opinion.

Tonight I’m not sure what the agenda is… hopefully dinner soon! I’m thinking of trying the famous four cheese pizza that everyone is so fond of, but I’m not sure how adventurous I am. Tomorrow we are off to the Trevi Fountain! Everyone cross your fingers I meet Paolo ❤ keep up with my snap story for pics, because hey, they’re great okay?

Arrivederci!

Day 2

Ciao tutti!

I would like to start out by saying I’m never coming home… because like… today was perfect. I woke up and had a donut that was delicious (it had like powdered sugar on it) and then we went out to the Galleria Borghese and saw 6 of Carvaggio’s paintings as well as LOTS of Bernini’s statues. There were no pictures allowed, so unfortunately I can’t share what I saw, but it was amazing (puts every other art gallery to shame that’s for sure!) 

The best part about the gallery though was the location– there was a HUGE, beautiful park right next to it that you can stroll through and it takes you to other churches and leads you to other parts of Rome. We took it to the Spanish Steps and then the Pantheon! This was my first time seeing the Pantheon and it was HUGE! 

After the Pantheon, we went to lunch– I got a penne arribiata (spelling?), which was penne noodles in spicy sauce. After our meal, the waiters brought us all a glass of free wine– we asked what it was called and they said “sexy wine”. We naturally we drank it, and it was DELICIOUS. When we went to pay, the owner called me over and handed me a bag and said “young lady, tonight… you drink this… and you’re going to think you flying”. In the bag… a bottle of sexy wine. We were stoked just because of the hilarity of it all. And because hey, we got to keep the sexy wine.

After our adventure at the restaurant, we ventured around, crossed the Tiber, made it on a random bus, found out it was the wrong bus, transferred to another wrong bus, got somewhat close to the hotel and hopped off (we lost people on the way, this was a war), and then laid down for a bit before dinner.

Dinner was delicious– pizza with salami and lemon soda. After that, we went to the train station to use the ATM, and some weird guy asked us ladies to “sleep with him”, and then said, “no touching” (someone tell me how that makes sense). Guys in Rome don’t flirt– they just tell you straight up what they want. It was extremely creepy and we ran away. Luckily we had Andrew to be our protector haha!

Then was the rooftop bar… we ordered bottles of wine and sat and drank together, just socializing, which was extremely fun! The waiters brought us free fries and peanuts and we just went around the table, sharing fun facts, embarrassing secrets, and telling stories. It really bonded us– I came with a truly amazing group of people.

When we got back to the hotel, it was off to bed! Day 3 ahead! Ciao!

Day 1 (ish)

Ciao from Rome!

I have successfully arrived in the Eternal City! And in case anyone was wondering– yes I cried on the plane but only because I watched the movie About Time (SIDENOTE: DO NOT WATCH SAD FILMS ON 10 HOUR FLIGHTS WHERE YOU ARE BORED AND THUS MORE LIKELY TO BE EMOTIONAL!) The flight was overall a good one, lots of reflection, lots of music, no sleeping. We arrived in Rome early in the morning and had to put our bags down and immediately go tour the city… after 36 hours of no sleep I can tell you how important rest is, though I wouldn’t trade my day for anything!

Today we saw four different churches, all of which had incredible structure and detail (pictures to come) and we saw the Coloseum and the Forum. Though I did fall asleep/pass out a few times, it really was incredible. I took lots of pictures (but mostly selfless because Flannigan and I have a bet on who can take more selfless) but I feel like pictures don’t do any of this justice; you’d have to truly see everything to know how brilliant it is.

We had dinner at a tiny place near the hotel, eating pizza and drinking a beer; it was so good… but the waiter was super creepy and hugged me and asked me if I had “What’s App” and if my phone worked over here… naturally I said my phone DIDN’T work, but he saw me use it later and called me out– needless to say I haven’t quite found my Paolo, but hey, it’s fine this trip is about me not eye candy (though there has been some– gotta love Italy)

Erin and I are off to bed considering our day(s) have been exhausting! But we got gelato twice so there’s that! Ciao for now 🙂

The Night Before

Tomorrow at this time, I will be flying over Europe… YIKES! I suppose it’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it is to me; I’ve looked forward to this trip for the past 8 months, and finally it’s here. 

Currently, Erin and I are both sitting downstairs at my house trying to do some last minute research for our presentations in Rome (yes, even honors students do dishonorable things like procrastinate). For those who don’t know, Erin is one of my close friends who’s going on the trip with me. If I didn’t have her on this trip, I’m not sure how easily I could do it. She’s become one of my best friends over the past couple of months and I’m lucky enough to have her by my side on this journey.

I said goodbye to my brother today for 6 months; he leaves the day I come home from Rome and I won’t get the chance to say goodbye to him. He’s a teacher in Thailand and having him home the past month has been great; however, I wish our departures didn’t overlap and I could’ve had more time with him. Similarly, I’m quite possibly saying goodbye to my dog for the last time tomorrow morning; she’s not doing too well, and it doesn’t seem promising that I’ll come home to her sweet little puppy face. I’m a huge dog person, so this is hitting home for me, but I know that if it comes down to her being uncomfortable and ill, I’d rather her be at rest. While I hope this isn’t the last time she licks my hand or stares at me with her green eyes, I know that it could be. 

I went to church tonight, because typically before travel I become much more religious (mostly because I assume I’m going to die on the plane and need good karma or something). Regardless, it was a really good service and made me feel confident in the trip. So now I sit here, googling pictures of the Trevi Fountain knowing that tomorrow I’ll be seeing it in person and giving a presentation; wow. Though this opportunity may not have come for me at the best time emotionally, and though my anxieties are numerous, I think this trip will do a world of good for me. I need 10 days to myself, to just breathe and catch a glimpse of something beautiful and so much bigger than myself. 

I once heard a quote that said: “You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place, like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again.” Maybe travel scares me because change scares me and growing up scares me, and I know my feelings and emotions are about to take a roller coaster ride and my anxieties will go through the roof but I’ll also have personal ecstasy and it’s crazy… but maybe it’s necessary. I can only hope that this trip brings me a sense of peace and awareness that I didn’t have before leaving, and I hope that I get a bit of time to be stress free– after all, finals are over, nothing can stand in my way anymore, right?

Say a prayer for me on the plane– or pray for Erin who will have to deal with my sobs. Either one would be appreciated. Or both if you’re feeling super religious. 

Yours truly,

 

Elysse

Aka 

 

Lizzie McGuire (everyone be proud I did not reference her once in this post… that is… until now).