This, my friends, is the magic phrase if ever you go to Italy. Not only will it bring you happiness, joy, and all things wonderful, it also holds the secret cure for cancer. Okay, maybe not. But it can get you a cup of gelato wherever you go and that’s almost as good right?

A couple of Fridays ago Melissa, Megan and I set out for Rome, taking all of Spring break to train our way through most of the high points of Italy. Think of every Giddy (touristy) thing you can do in Italy: we did it. Visit the Coliseum and Roman ruins? Check. See world famous pieces of art like the Sistine Chapel and statue of David? Check. Throw a coin into the Trevi fountain? Done. Picture holding up the Tower of Pisa? Heck yes. Not to mention I SAW THE POPE. The most powerful man in the Catholic Church, funky hat and all, was standing and waving not ten feet away from me. Boy does he look old, ten bucks says he’ll kick the bucket in the next five years. Out of curiosity I went to a Holy Week mass in the Vatican to experience Catholicism at its most powerful and fundamental. It was incredible the sheer amount of people that were there and the passion that they showed. When Benedict himself came down the main aisle to the altar the entire church was up on its feet instantly, climbing on chairs and pulling out cameras like crazy to just get a shot of him while he amicably waved and smiled at everyone. It’s funny though. St. Paul’s Basilica, while the most prestigious church in the world and certainly the richest, was certainly the most beautiful church I’ve seen but had little sentiment for me spiritually. There I was, with over a thousand people singing a hymn, and all I could think of was how far away God felt in the place. The whole mass was missing that personal relationship with God that I so cherish and that is central to my faith. There were so many barriers put between the people and heaven-- liturgy, Latin, papacy, hierarchy—that it felt to me like the Church was getting in the way of God. Maybe it’s just because I’m protestant and don’t understand it as well, I was surprised by the impressions the whole experience gave me.

After Rome we did a whirlwind day that included running to the Leaning Tower to take a picture then book it out of the city to catch another train, visiting Florence for a few more hours, then ending up in Venice. Florence was a bit of a fail, we went in only knowing that David was somewhere in the city but had no map to find him. After discovering the museum, we waited in line for two hours only to find out that pictures were prohibited. As I was a little annoyed that I had waited so long and would have nothing to show for it I took it, as a pirate would say, with the view that rules are “more like guidelines” and took illegal pictures of David in all of his naked glory with my camera hidden in my purse. Totally worked too, except that all of my photos are at an awkward angle. Better than none at all though in my opinion.

Taking the train from city to city was basically my favorite part of the trip, just seeing the gorgeous countryside of rolling hills and the Mediterranean. From Florence to Venice I was sitting with an Italian couple and their daughter while Megan and Meli sat with their grandma and aunt. About halfway through the trip I could tell the girl, about ten years old, was getting super antsy and wanting to run around so I started playing tic-tac-toe with her to give her something to do. Have I mentioned I don’t speak Italian? Somehow we found a way to communicate through games and had fun the whole way to Venice laughing, drawing, and learning each other’s languages. About half way through the mom stepped in and we had a trilingual conversation with me speaking Spanish, the girl speaking Italian, and mom English. They kept on telling me to try spaghetti in cuttlefish ink once I got to Venice. Yes, about that. I think my life is fine without it, thanks though. Smile and nod does wonders when used appropriately. (It probably would have tasted better than the eel I had yesterday without realizing it though) Good people can be found everywhere; it only takes a bit of creativity and openness to connect sometimes. After the train ride Megan and Meli kept telling me that I should be a teacher after seeing how I interacted with Maryistella (the girl)….we shall see. It’s a growing possibility no matter how much I don’t want to admit it.

Venice was the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen because it’s right on the OCEAN. Didn’t ride a gondola but I did buy a pretty sweet mask and lost myself in the labyrinth of the island. Worst deja vu I've ever experienced in my life walking around there. Verona was next on our list for the sole purpose of seeing Juliet’s house. As a devout literature nerd, there’s no way I could pass up the opportunity to pay homage to one of Shakespeare’s greatest works and happily found my way to “fair Verona, where we lay our scene.” The house itself was the most touristy place I’ve ever seen though I did manage to get a picture of myself on her balcony. Juliet’s balcony!!! Where Romeo saw her in the morning light and in awe exclaimed “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” Sigh. Oh Shakespeare, how I love thee. The best part of the place was a tunnel where lovers of all walks of life that visit the monument write their names on the wall for good luck. It is the house of the most famous pair of lovers in all literature after all. I’m no romantic but it was sweet seeing all of the notes in so many languages and the sheer amount of paper that was stuck to that wall. Unable to miss the opportunity, I bummed a pen off a pair of French tourists and wrote my name on the wall too. If you ever go to Verona, look for my name! It’s on the same note that says “Maria+Richard 4ever” and is toward the far wall.


Overall, Italy was fantastic. I ate gelato EVERYDAY which was delicious and wonderful. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say I don’t want ice cream….for awhile. I'm still craving pizza though. There's nothing quite like having a slice with ham, olive, artichoke, corn(don't ask, just accept that it was good), olive oil, and cheese for lunch, top that for uberly Mediterranean. The whole country is gorgeous and has so much history you could go crazy just walking around and getting lost in how much art and culture are in its cities.

I hope you all enjoyed your spring breaks as well!

Ciao bellas.