For my last weekend in Italy I went to Rome with Shannon, Kayely, and Lily to see the Prima di Maggio Concert, and to say goodbye to Bekah. Saying goodbye to Bekah was hard, because I feel as though we have become very close throughout the semester, but apparently getting back to her fiancé is more important. Once we got to our hostel, Bekah was feeling ill so she stayed inside and insisted that we went out without her. It was really hot that day so before we left I put on shorts and my cheap plastic flip-flops and walked out the door. I briskly walked down the stairs until started to briskly fall down the stairs, hurting my wrist and my butt. Shannon and Lilly found it to be funny, and I was laughing at first until I saw the large lump on the palm of my hand. Note to self: don’t wear plastic flip-flops on sleek marble stairs.
That day, we went to the Spanish Steps and then the Trevi Fountain. When we got off the metro to the Spanish Steps, we immediately got something to drink, and then proceeded to sit on the steps. While we were sitting on the steps we were approached by many Bangladeshi vendors asking to if we would by different trinkets and jewelry. During one of the sale pitches a bird pooped on Shannon’s head. It was funny because nobody knew it happened, but she screamed “oh my god” a couple times and kept patting her head. Once I saw the poop on her on top of her hair, I was hysterical and immediately thought of John Rose and his saying “If a bird poops on your head, you will get pregnant within the next year”. We immediately bought ‘good luck bracelets’ from one Bangladeshi after the bird pooped on her, because Shannon is going to need all the luck she can get being a teenage mother.
From the Spanish Steps, we walked to the Trevi Fountain, stopping at a few shops on the way. A hundred dollars later, we arrived at the Trevi Fountain. I find the best way to take in a sight such as this is to sit and admire it for a long time, so we did just that. It was very relaxing until people younger than me started to have a Trevi Fountain water fight, splashing everyone around them with the water that looks much better than it smells. After that, we left with the fear of smelling like bad feet for the rest of the day. On our walk back to the metro, we started to get hungry so we stopped at the most authentic restaurant we could find. After going down a few alleys, we finally found a restaurant with affordable prices and good food. When we sat down, I saw that Bill Clinton ate at this restaurant and he “loved the carbonara” so I chose that, which was also the least expensive item on the menu. Thank you, Bill Clinton, for saving me money AND recommending an outstanding dish. My favorite part about this restaurant experience was one of the waiters. He was an old man wearing the same mischievous smile that I always do, so of course I liked him right off the bat. I liked him more when I started to hear him sing as he was brining plates to tables, and then my fondness grew when he started making a game of opening wine bottles. After telling him “bravo” for the excellent wine-bottle-opening-game I felt as if I immediately gained a friend, and some free food (he brought free dessert to the table). I was sad to leave him when I finished my meal, but we said our ciao’s and piacere’s and then went on the metro to go back to the hostel.
Our hostel is near the train station, so we had to take the Termini metro stop back, which forces us to go through the station to get to the main street. Walking through the station was an experience in itself because as we were walking we heard two men exchanging hostile tones with each other in the overpriced McDonald’s. When I looked over, I saw them shove each other, then one punched the other, and then, to my astonishment, one of the men karate flipped the other on the floor! If you are not sure what a karate flip is, I suggest watching any Jackie Chan movie, because then you will realize that this is not a easy thing to do. After the intense flipping action, the Italian Jackie Chan then kneed the other man in the chin. It was all very frightening, so I ran away with Lilly while two of the others were being spectators. This incident proves how much of a coward I actually am, because at any sight of danger (or insect) I run as fast as I can to avoid danger (or bug bites).
The next day started off a little blurry, because I remember waking up to Bekah saying bye, but the night before I agreed to walk her to the station. But when I woke up the second time, Bekah was gone, my conscious was heavy, and one of my roommates was heavily snoring. The hostel brought us breakfast to our room (how awesome is that) with coffee and croissants. I drank my (and Bekah’s) portion of coffee, and one-by-one my roommates started to wake up too. We got ready, and started our day moving to our new hostel. After we got situated, I took the elevator down (which I do not normally do, but I decided it was best for my safety) and we sat in the Vittorio Emanuele Park. I made a few science observations there, and then we received a call from our friends saying they were ready to meet up. We told them to meet us at the Trevi Fountain, and then we went to the Primo di Maggio concert.
The concert was different than I would have expected. The first thing that surprised me was all the closed fists that were being thrusted in the air. No, they were not fighting, they were supporting communism by doing one of the symbols. The second thing that surprised me was the amount of drugs and alcohol that were being consumed here. In Sansepolcro, the teenagers and adults hardly ever drink to the point of intoxication, and at this concert some of the people were beyond intoxication. Some people were passed out cold on the ground, and looked as if they were dead. I even saw three or four people get carried out in ambulance stretchers. It was really weird to see the misbehaved part of Italy, because my whole trip here I have never seen actual ITALIANS participate in this type of behavior. Other than the drugs, alcohol, and communists, the point of going to this event (to listen to the music) satisfied me indeed. I still cannot tell if Italian music is beautiful, or completely horrible because it sounds like a spoken version of opera with unorganized chords. When I was trying to get to the front by the stage, I got stopped by a group of boys who were trying to talk to me. They were talking really fast, and I did not really want to talk to them, so I took the easy way out and said “Non capisco, sono un’Americana”. This did not divert attention, but drew it because then they all wanted a picture with the “ragazza Americana”. I thought it was funny because they treated me like a celebrity. The concert of the horrible or genius (I am still undecided) Italian artists went on until midnight, and we returned to Sansepolcro the next day.
My last week here is going to be filled with exams and cleaning, but once I get all of that done I will be able to relax and enjoy the rest of my time in Sansepolcro. As for right now, I find myself reminiscing and thinking of all the things that I will be without once I leave. I do not think I will ever forget my roommates (Shannon, Jess, and Kim) and the nickname for ourselves; the “wolf pack”. Every morning from now on, I will not wake up to Kim’s fascinator (head band, or clip) of the day, Jess calling me a ‘big mess’ with every move I make, and Shannon laughing at all my jokes, even the ones that are not funny. Once I leave this palazzo, I will not be able to look out my window and see medieval buildings, and a scenic view of the mountains or cute Italian boys walking down the corso. As every hour passes in North Carolina, I will miss hearing the chime of bells rung by a very talented man here, instead of by computer. When I go to class each morning, I will no longer be yelled at by Sara for not having any shoes or socks on. I will miss many little things about this palazzo, and many people who have played an important role in my growing up here in Sansepolcro. Thanks to these people, I now know that it is important to make my bed and keep my room clean, if not for my own sanity it should be for that of the other’s that have to live with me. I have learned how to be thrifty, and not spend my money on the first thing I think that I like. I know how to travel safely, economically, and lightly without the aid of a parent or someone else. This study abroad has changed my life forever, and has added unexpected friends and experiences to a lifetime of memories that I will never forget. My departure from this beautiful country is on May 8th, and although I am happy to see my family, I am sad to leave the family that I have established here.
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