September 18, 2024
Day 13: Free Day
September 11, 2024
Tiramisu: Parker, Rachel, Matthew
Rachel: Today was the second free day of the trip. I decided the theme of “history and calm” perfectly captured my experience as I went beyond the bustling city streets of Rome to the scenic and ancient road of the Appia Antica.
While others from our group split off to explore different places across Rome, such as the beautiful lake at Castel Gandolfo, Tivoli, or the Vatican, I was drawn to nature. I caught a bus at 8:30 AM and got dropped off at the gorgeous Parco della Caffarella.
I walked about 10 minutes through a forested area and reached a small bike rental shop. Excited, I rented a mountain bike, secured my red-and-white helmet, and began my journey on the cobblestone road of the Appia Antica- a road that has been used by travelers for over two thousand years.
As my feet pushed the pedals rhythmically, a constant wind stream flew across my face and through the two braids in my hair. The bright blue sky was painted with fluffy white clouds. Mid-sized trees dotted the edge of the path, providing much-needed shade. I navigated the cobblestones alongside light traffic, but soon I found myself on a more peaceful, quiet stretch of trail. With ancient ruins on either side of the path, I could imagine what this area looked like in its original splendor. I was passed by fellow bike riders and walkers, all admiring the ancient ruins just like me.
Eventually, the smooth cobblestones were replaced by large, protruding boulders across the whole trail for several yards. I put my bike in low gear and bumped my way across the rocks, gripping the handlebars tightly to prevent myself from falling. Thankfully, there were some dirt trails to the right and left of the trail, so I excitingly hopped on the smoother trail instead.
I pedaled along the Appia Antica for 7.5 miles. When I neared the end of the trail, vast fields of open grass stretched out endlessly before me. There was a stillness that hung in the air and I could imagine the people travelling this same road many years ago. This road, once trod by thousands now had my footprints, or in my case, bike tracks.
As I prepared to leave, I realized how much I would miss the quiet, where only the wind rustling through the trees and birds chirping broke the silence. This bike ride reminded me that everything in Rome is full of history, even in the quietest of places.
Matthew: For the second free day, Julian and I went to tour Vatican City. We started off with the Vatican Museums, whose sheer scale I still find difficult to believe. We passed through entire exhibits stocked to the brim with ancient relics, from Egypt, Etruria, and Rome alike. After pausing to do a bit of research, I steered us into a grand hall of statues in hopes of finding my favorite statue of Emperor Augustus. Upon seeing for the first time a statue I had marveled at countless times digitally, I had to pause for many minutes to examine its incredible detail. I fondly remember Julian’s surprise when I explained to him the significance of the scene of Augustus’ campaign to Parthia depicted on his chestplate, which would otherwise have simply seemed to be a design. Rome is like that, with history hiding in every corner and crevice, only waiting for someone to pause and be enlightened of its significance.
We then paused at the Vatican Museum’s restaurant for lunch before continuing on our trek towards the Sistine Chapel. We passed through vast swathes of incredible art, both historical and contemporary, and eventually entered into the grandest map room I have ever witnessed. The incredibly ornate hall went on nearly as far as the eye could see, with massive maps of omnipresent detail depicting each of the Italian Republic’s many regions. It truly was a sight to behold, and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to witness it.
The Sistine Chapel was crowded beyond belief, yet eye contact was difficult to come by as everyone’s attention was firmly fixed upon the dazzling art coating the entire ceiling. At that, our tour was complete, and we used the remaining daylight hours to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. That structure has to be one of the greatest mankind has ever built, and anyone who visits will come to find how wholly insufficient cameras can be at capturing such beauty. Its vast interior feels neverending, with every element dwarfing man with its godlike scale. When in Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica is an absolute must-see.
Parker: On our day off, we got to sleep in so I took advantage of this opportunity and woke up at noon! A few of my friends decided to go to Panfuwa, a soufflé pancake restaurant, and enjoyed a lovely breakfast (or lunch) at one of the only places that sold iced drinks. Cole, Skylar, and I had previously bought tickets to see the Vatican, so we walked over and got McDonald’s on the way to experience a taste of home. The museum was vast, extending into a maze of meticulously decorated rooms covered in frescos, paintings, and sculptures leaving not a square inch of empty space. It was a feast for the eyes and we walked through each and every room awestruck at the bygone beauty that surrounded us. I think I speak for all of us when I say that the Sistine Chapel was my favorite, particularly the Creation of Adam. I felt so wonderfully important and insignificant simultaneously, as I was lucky enough to exist within a timeless masterpiece while being acutely aware of how little space I occupied in the room. After walking back to the dorms, we took some pictures for posterity and played a few board games in my room!