Reflection on my blog’s themes

As I wrap up my blog, and these three themes I chose in Italy, it forces me to look back on all my experiences with in them. Graffiti on the walls will remain forever, some more colorful and artistic than other, but still a certain attraction is met. The graffiti throughout the city is consistent. Many people represent their groups/gangs, some express their inter feelings and some just write their name for fun; all a form of art. I have seen graffiti in pictures, on bridges, on walls, cars, and doors; appealing to the eye yet distracting from the city of Rome itself. Italian love (my second theme) is everywhere. You can not escaping the kissing, touching, groping, and tenderness, but then again why would you want to. Love is in the air and many times you too will fall victim to it. It is a bit overwhelming at first, but at the end of seven weeks you too look through the eyes of a Roman and see it as passion, many not romance, but definitely an expression of love. The Pantheon was an amazing place to pick as a theme, never did I think so many stories and new ideas would be able to go through my cleared mind in such a place of chaos. Little boys running around, flashes from snapshots of pictures at every angle and the entwinement of 30 languages being spoken at once; memorable. The building is a church, but really more than that, it is a place of expression, of meeting and of learning about yourself. Sitting in front of the building broadened my horizons more than any other experience in Rome. It is truly a place to remember, as it has been for the past centuries.

Church of the Gesu

I wanted to go to the Gesu church, and so I did. I was a little embarrassed when I realized that it really was not far from the school I have been attending for the past 6 weeks, and it made me feel lazy for having not gone before. It was everything I remembered it to be and more. My favorite feature, that I must have over-looked years before when I stood in the exact same spot, was the ceiling fresco, named The Triumph of the Name of Jesus by Gaulli. The different chapels within the church were astonishing, each with its own unique flare. I decided to seek out the Madonna Della Strada, which had remained in my memory for the past five years, I found it in the chapel, Cappella della Passione, even more exquisite than I remember. I walked around the church for a bit longer, it was not too crowded, rather enjoyable. I am so glad I went to this church just one last time if I never see it again.

Monday morning’s Café tour

Monday morning, myself and six classmates took a café tour/walk around Rome, accompanied by our teachers assistant, Mia and guided by my classmate Carley. We decided to meet at the Giordano Bruno statue which stands in the center of Campo de’ Fiori. During which at this time we got to experience their morning market. We shopped around, gathering souvenirs and such and after about 30 minutes set off to our next destination, La Tazza d’Oro. This café was quaint and one of my classmates suggested we try their famous granita de caffé con pannas, I drank up every drop, although I must say the coffee was a little too gritty for my liking. On our way to the second destination (not counting Campo) we realized we were in the “ritzy” part of town where the name brand stores stood in a line, I felt my pocketbook lighten already. Then we reached our second destination, the Antico Greco Caffé, which to my dismay was closed, of course that would happen the one day we decide to go. It is said to be the oldest café in Rome, so I was a little disappointed I could not get that experience at this particular time. We walked on to our final destination, Piazza del Popolo, In this piazza were two rivalry cafes, one of my classmates explained; one left wing, Café Rosati and one right wing, Café Canova. Politics are important here in Rome, even at cafes. The left wing seemed to be a lot more popular that the right at this point in the day. We went into the less crowded café, dismissing the politics from our decision. I was just about sick of coffee at that point and ordered a coca-cola light instead. We left the café and chatted in the piazza until we dismissed class and decided to go our separate ways. It was a beautiful Monday walk.

Trash vs. Class

Everywhere I turn I see the word “BUS” written in Graffiti. It is all over Rome and in no particular pattern. I have come to the conclusion it is probably a gang name and they mark territory everywhere. I start to wonder how many of these graffiti words, are not works of art, but instead simple acts to display their name and group all over the town. There is quite a distinction between word graffiti and picture graffiti. I have come to find I have an appreciation for the picture graffiti for those who have artistic abilities, although they choose to show it in the wrong way. However word graffiti adds to the city’s trashiness, in Rome as well as America. As I stated earlier, these need to be removed. It would be smart to set aside a piazza or wall where graffiti can be displayed freely, legally; as they have done in Paris. Graffiti art has been around for centuries as you see it evolve throughout time. I see a future for graffiti, it just needs to be presented in the professional way.

Absence of People

As a group we walked by the Pantheon on or morning Monday walk. The place was very quiet, peaceful, and almost vacant. It was about 10am and I was surprised to see this. I have never been to the Pantheon and felt it be so big above me! I stood there in awe, and appreciated the old building more that day and any other of the seven weeks. It was a great last way to see the space in a new light, one without flashing camera, children running, and the chaotic mess of 40 different languages being spoken at one time.

Enough PDA already!

Looking back on all the love moments I have captured for my blog I see the same theme reiterated. I have come to the conclusion I am overwhelmed by all the PDA (public displays of affection) I now see the acts of vulgar grabbing and intense kissing as trashy, more so than romantically. I do however respect that it is their culture and all the Romans seem very accustom to it. I presume to think that I would too, had I been introduced to it at birth, and grown up around it my whole life. I look forward to going back to America where just the simple act of holding hands in enough; not to say people there do not have their moments of Italian love, but they are less frequent and more tamed.