When in Rome... - Week 10

I officially only have a month and a half left here. It's an insane thought that everything has gone by so quickly. I already have to start working on my final project for one of my classes. Part of me wishes this journey I'm on will never end, but I miss home dearly. As some have told me "all good things must come to an end". This trip will soon come to a conclusion and I will return home. I know I will never be the same person I was when I left and I wouldn't have it any other way. I can see growth in myself and I believe it will be more evident when I return. I promise I haven't changed too much, I'm still the same dork. Now with my family visiting me, they get to see these changes.

I met up with my parents in Rome this past Thursday. They got in safe and sound on Tuesday morning which gave them some time to adjust and adventure about without me for two days. Thursday was quite a day. Normally, I'm a Halloween fanatic and love to dress up and go out with friends, but in this case, I did as the Romans do and didn't do anything for Halloween. However, I went to the Vatican City instead and took a tour of their museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. I still can't fathom the fact that I saw the pieces that I did that day. Specifically all of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling by Michelangelo and The School of Athens by Raphael. As an art student, these are pieces that are talked about all the time and are fundamental in an artist's knowledge of art history, so finally seeing them in person had me in awe. The rest of the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica was just gorgeous. It was crazy being in the largest church in the world. Friday morning was spent running around the Colosseum and the other historical ruins right next to it. I still don't understand how so much violence was seen as entertainment to so many but it was a different age. I'm just happy that there are no more bloody and deadly fights going on there. Getting views of the city from the hills in the ruins was insane. Rome is much larger than Florence. We had to use a subway to get around most of the time, while here in Florence, you just walk. But, the views in both are just as spectacular. Saturday we came back to Florence and Jordan flew in! It's really great having my family here. While it's been fun to be out on my own here, I've really missed my loved ones, so being able to see a few of them feels amazing. I can't wait to come home to the rest of them.

Less than six weeks left here in lovely Italy.

-Kit

Week 10