Quando a Roma... Part 3!

We then ventured over to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum and Gardens. If you have seen these in person you know how stunning they are, and that the pictures below cannot do it justice. However, the student discount tickets (8 euro) and beauty of the artwork were not worth the frustration of getting through the exhibits and the chapel. There were so many people and so many things to look at, that it was almost un-enjoyable. Afterwards we all decided that it was our least favorite part of the weekend. I have been in crowded places before and been frustrated, but having to look at (and attempt to enjoy) some of the most famed and historic artwork in the world while being surrounded by hundreds of rude, international people was very disheartening. If you ever venture to Rome, we recommend doing the Vatican itself one day (getting there early!) and the Sistine Chapel the next (again, as early as possible.)

We then grabbed lunch, did a little shopping, and headed home. We were even brave enough to use the Rome Metro system. And let me tell you all – I would rather sleep in the DC metro than ride on the Roman one any day. It was dirty, and not the safest place. There is a reason Italy is known for its bus systems!



After a much-needed two hour nap at the hotel, it was time for la Notte Bianca! The city stays open for 24-hours and tourists from all over the world and Italians alike venture into stores, restaurants and museums during all hours of the night. We had a photo shoot at the Trevi Fountain, grabbed pizza, enjoyed gelato on the Spanish Steps, watched an international “circe de soile” in Piazza del Popolo, and walked through Galoppatoio, Rome’s version of Central Park.
La Notte Bianca was very fun, but it was also very scary. When we were sitting on the Spanish Steps a guy was pushed, fell backwards onto his head, and was put into shock. To spare you the gory details and make a long story short, it cleared the Steps, he was rushed away, and the gang that he was with dispersed into the city. After that, the mood of the night had changed, and we were ready to leave. Rome was a beautiful city and la Notte Bianca was fun while it lasted, but it was very overwhelming to realize that we were 4 American girls in a HUGE international city where we do not know the language or the full culture of the city. The four of us joked that this would have been a perfect time for guy friends or boyfriends :-)

After heading back to the hotel and calculating that we must have walked at least 15 miles up, down, in and out of Rome, we ventured to the train station, waited for two and a half hours, and caught the first train back to Perugia. The ride was long, smelly, hot and full of fellow 20-somethings, and we could not have been more relieved three hours later when we arrived in Perugia. Venturing to other towns (especially cities as extensive as Rome) make Perugia feel like home. I am so happy to be in the town that I am in, where I feel safe and welcome every time I get off the bus. Our apartment felt like home when we walked in, and all we wanted to do was SLEEP!

However…

We bought tickets to the Perugia soccer game for that afternoon! About 80 Umbra students caught buses (comments about the Italian bus system to come at a later time) down to the stadium, tailgated, and watched Perugia take on Crotone. It was interesting to learn that they charged the women 10 euro and the men 20 euro for tickets. We figured it must have been a ploy to get women to come to the games!
To game in Perugia – even though it was a Series 3 game – was unlike anything I have ever see. Growing up and playing soccer (and multiple other sports) in the US is nothing compared to this. It is cliché, but no one does “futbol” like the Europeans. I joked to other Eloners and said that you could combine Elon football attendance for the year and still not get as much excitement as was shown for this one game. Guess I have a different perspective for Phanatics now J The game was fun and Perugia won, but the real showcase was the dedicated and energetic fans. Futbol is certainly a passion of Italian life that is not matched by either football or baseball in the US, and I am so lucky I got to experience it in my first week of being here.

That’s all for now, and hope you enjoyed the story of the weekend!
Ciao a tutti!