350 Blog 2

Rome, so far, has been an incredible experience.I think I speak for just about everyone in the group when I say this. So far we have been to the Spanish Steps, San Giovanni, the Coliseum, Aventine Hill, the Roman Baths, and much more. In class we discussed what things about Rome we have found to be exhilarating and what things we may have found to be oppressive.  there have been some things about the trip that have not been so good or some things that have been unexpected, while other things have been amazing and just as i thought it would be. As with any trip or vacation there are always things we love about them and things we hate. The same holds true for this trip to Rome.
One thing that I have found to be oppressive is the amount of time we spend on public transportation. The train ride everyday to the city is okay with me because I have never been on any trains and the sights are cool to see. However, the subway is what I do not like. There are always too many people crowding the bus back to Termini. Along with this there always people looking to pickpocket you or ask for money after playing their instruments. Another thing that has been oppressive has been the cars. We have, as a group, been in vans for our first trip here to Castel Gondolfo and then from Castel to the airport to got to Venice and back. The people here drive with no order. One lane roads become two lane roads, and two lane roads become three lane roads. I vividly remember our ride to the airport to go to Venice after watching our driver seemingly almost kill its multiple times. I was able to tell (after a few of these instances) that we were okay. Not because just a few people drive like this, but it is everyone. They are all so used to it that driving like crazy is just natural.
Another thing that has been oppressive has been the infinite number of Selfie-Stick salesmen. Or the same people that also sell roses. These are not normal salesmen. They do not take no for an answer. I have seen a countless number of Selfie-Stick salesmen. Weldon and I went on a short walk during our last day in Venice, and just by San Marco we counted 9 of them. However, the people selling roses are just as bad if not worse. I have seen many of them as well. They do not simply show you the rose, they stick them in your face as if you have never smelled a rose before. It simply gets to be annoying. They never seem to go away until you end up lying to all of them saying that you do not have any Euros to give them.
One thing that I have found to be exhilarating is the food. Every sandwich I have had here or every piece of pizza or plate of pasta has been much better than any of the same things I had in the United states. A simple road side stand here that sells pizza blows Pizza Hut or Papa John's out of the water. The same goes for the pasta or the sandwiches. Also the gelato here is better than any ice cream back home. What i found intriguing about the book was when Barzini said, "But food and wines, it must be admitted, are not quite as good as in France." (Barzini, pg. 52). I found this interesting because after I read this, I overheard Chris asking Danilo if he agreed with this and Danilo was adamant in saying that Italy had better food today. However, I don't know if this is true or Danilo being biased.
Another exhilarating thing has been the people here in Castel Gondolfo, Albano, Rome and Venice. The shopkeepers and owners are always happy to see us and have been very friendly with us. Like Barzini said in the book, "They are all works of art, the 'great art of being happy' and of making other people happy, an art which embraces and inspires all others in Italy..." (Barzini, pg. 56). Finally, my home away from home has been very exhilarating. The professors and guides we have are excellent people and fun and engaging teachers that make "class" in Castel Gondolfo or Rome very fun. Not only the professors but the other students as well. We all seem  to get along pretty well and no matter who we are with if we get split up we can make the most out of it and have a good time. This makes the trip that much more enjoyable because I know that I can have an engaging conversation with any of them.