Student Bloggers
The Center of Rome
Date
February 1, 2017
Sunday was our first "free day" since we landed in Italy. Our group made plans to test the metro system and ride up to Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) where we browsed through the high-end stores that line the streets. It almost felt like a day trip to New York City's shopping district, but in a more charming setting of intricate buildings with colorful shutters and cobblestone streets. We wandered around for a while before finding a side-street restaurant with outdoor seating. I kept thinking how easily I could spend an entire day weaving through these streets. I hope I'll make it back up there several times this semester. At lunch, I ordered homemade lasagna with fluffy grated Parmesan and a creamy tomato sauce. Our food was delicious and beautiful, but definitely a tourist spot because the dishes were much more expensive than their equivalents back in Garbatella. Given its proximity to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, we expected this but still enjoyed the flavors and photogenic plates.
Next, we went to Fontana di Trevi. Walking up to the fountain was one of the most intriguing moments of my trip so far. Unlike some of the typical metropolitan and commercialized landmarks of the U.S., the fountain shows off unique Roman art and history which I hope to appreciate more throughout the semester.
We then walked to the Pantheon which really amazed me. I have no idea how the Romans built and carved such detailed decorations and strong infrastructure 2,000 years ago. We walked inside under the dome, which quickly became so much larger than it appeared from the outside. I also enjoyed the Pantheon's surrounding area. There are more back corners and restaurants, but most especially, the best gelato shops around. We visited Giolitti, which is both a tourist stop and the greatest Italian gelato I've found so far. I will openly admit that our Giolitti stop was our second gelato of the day, but we feel no shame. After a busy afternoon, we left central Rome with memories, zero hunger and a developing love for this city.