September 4, 2023

Day One: Arrival, Exploration, Recovery

September 1, 2023
Panna Cotta – Madeline I, Ernest, Margaryta

Madeline I

After a seven-hour flight from Newark to Rome, and an overwhelmingly crowded border control experience, I made it to the exit of the airport, a bit flustered but very very excited to finally be in Rome. I was relieved to see the sight of my own name written out in bold red ink as I met my driver, who would be taking me from the airport to the dorms. Despite my not speaking much Italian, and him not speaking much English, my driver, Domenico, and I spoke for most of the thirty-minute drive to the Saint John’s University dorms. We discussed various topics, some of which being Nirvana, the various companies to come out of Washington, and the many places he had traveled in order to visit his flight attendant daughter. He made it clear that these trips were the idea of his wifes, using the phrase, “Happy wife, happy life” which I thought was funny.

One super interesting thing that I learned while on the car ride, and the first real cultural difference I had experienced so far, was when we were discussing how people in the United States vs how people in Italy viewed measures of distance. He mentioned something that was seven miles away, and when I responded saying that that was fairly close, he told me how because Italy is so much smaller of a country than the US, they view distances that I would view as pretty short to be a lot longer. It was super interesting to hear a different perspective, one that I never would’ve thought of on my own.

In between speaking with the driver, I imagined how terrifying it would be to drive in Rome, with all the vehicles and pedestrians coming from every direction, cars stopping behind each other a little too close to comfort. I looked out the window for a majority of the drive, and was happy to see the pretty Italian buildings come into view with their pastel colors and plant covered balconies.

At last I made it to the dorms after crossing the street cautiously due to my uncertainty of how the traffic laws in Rome really worked. Once I entered the dorm, my biggest challenge was trying to get my door open. Turns out you have to actually press the button on the key fob, not just aim it at the doorknob.

After unpacking and having my first ever communal bathroom shower experience, I spent a majority of the day meeting and getting to know everyone. We walked around a bit, trying to get to know our neighborhood, and ended the day with a group of eleven of us pushing together three tables together so we could all eat together. After dinner and a quick gelato stop, we walked back to our dorm. We did end going in a bit of a circle, but finally I made it back to my room, where I fell asleep pretty much immediately. All in all, it was a perfect first day and I can’t wait to spend the next two weeks in Rome!!

Ernest

Arrival

The month of September began rather unconventionally for me: Suspended 33,000 feet in the air with nothing but a disappointingly incomplete meal on my tray table and a thin blanket to fight my discomfort. The stale bread and “salad” which sat before me did little to distract me from the fact that I still had to endure several hours of plane travel before I could land in Rome. Nevertheless, I did not have many other options, so I reluctantly endured.

Following a brief 30 minute power nap, I finally found myself on the ground at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. To my shock, I had no trouble locating my checked luggage at the baggage claim. I purchased a train ticket, meandered over towards the platform, and began my journey into the city. After departing at Roma Ostiense station, I bought a bus ticket for €1.50, and boarded the Line 30 northbound train. After quickly realizing that I, in fact, boarded the southbound train, I hopped off, crossed the street, and boarded the northbound train. Before I knew it, I had been dropped off at the steps of St. John’s University, and I was being greeted by University staff with hospitality and kindness. Relief washed over me as I realized that I had survived my first (and arguably toughest) test of tenure as a study abroad student. I found my way to my destination with all of my belongings, and most of my dignity.

Exploration

After settling into my dorm, hanging up my clothes, and meeting my roommates, we made the decision to do the most Italian thing we could think of to commemorate the occasion. We walked to a coffee shop, and enjoyed a steaming cup of espresso.

Following the caffeine run, we made our way over towards a restaurant and ordered a margherita pizza to share. Our hunger adequately conquered, we headed back to the dorm to rest for a brief moment. However, we only had so much time before our SJU orientation and our subsequent meal. A group of about 12 of us all ate at a fantastic restaurant, ordering a great variety of Italian classics: Pizzas, carbonaras, etc. To top off the meal, Emilio (seen on the left side of the above photo) and I split off and grabbed a nice scoop of gelato. Out of curiosity, we decided to explore a bit of the neighborhood, heading south towards the river to see the waterfront. With zero knowledge of the geography of the area, we happened to run into the Castel Sant’Angelo, a gorgeous structure that imposes itself over the waterfront with its massive concrete walls and spires.

On our way back towards St. John’s, we passed by the Parcheggio Piazza Cavour, and the central statue that inhabits the plaza.

Recovery

Feeling accomplished, and exhausted, we finally came back to the dorm. Jet-lag and general fatigue from our escapade teamed up to promptly knock me out. For the first time in a long time, I felt like going to sleep at a reasonable time of night, and I did just that. Tomorrow’s the first full day, and as such, I need my rest. My quest to overcome the jet-lag, and then conquer the city of Rome, is only just beginning. Stay tuned.

Margaryta

My arrival, thankfully, went very well with little stress. I met up with three classmates in the airport and traveled to our dorms together.
After settling in my roommate informs me that she is at the Rome Center when I asked where she was (since I saw that we would be late to our lunch if she won’t be here soon). Finding out that she was a half hour walk from the dorms I canceled our reservation and went out to meet her halfway on the bridge.
Upon my arrival I could not find her at the bridge but I did take a picture of the St. Peter’s Basilica from the bridge, tried the Italian Espresso and the famed gelato while waiting for her. Since I had no wifi I couldn’t text or call her so I decided to return to the dorms where there is wifi.
Along my way I stumbled upon a water fountain. It was the best water I tasted. And after asking the security guard at the dorms I went out once again to buy myself a notebook and colorful pencils. After returning from the store I saw that my roommate was in our dorms and we finally managed to meet. To make up for missing lunch, we went get gelato before dorm orientation and went out for dinner after.
It was a very fun first day with an amazing impression of Rome.