La Dolce Vita

Wow, what a week in Roma! My Easter week has been packed full with class, crowds of tourists and… my family! It has been so great to have my Mom, Dad, and sister here with me in Rome for Easter. We have had such a jam-packed week that I am exhausted, but very happy.

On Monday, I had some on-site class visits to some churches to learn more about the history of the papacy. We also went on a tour of the Colosseum, which was pretty amazing! Monday night, my family arrived late so we met up and went out to dinner around 10pm… it was a late night, but a good night. Tuesday was filled with another tour of the Colosseum (this time with my family) and a visit to the Roman Forum.

Wednesday, as Mom and Dad explored the top of the city, Elyse and I toured the underbelly of the city… we saw the crypts and catacombs of Rome. We saw skeletons of Franciscan friars, the catacombs outside the old city walls, a necropolis dated back to 2 B.C., and got to explore Rome’s “lasagna” (i.e. because modern day Rome was built on ancient Rome, our tour guide referred to the underground layers of structures as Rome’s lasagna).

Thursday was filled with more city exploration. After a class visit to a museum, me and my family enjoyed a visit to The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, some local churches, and The Spanish Steps. On Good Friday, we visited the Basilica of St. John Lateran. And because I learn a lot about these historical sites in class, I have been somewhat of a tour guide for my family. So, of course, Olivia’s Fun Facts of Rome has been a prominent part of our week.

This weekend has also been jam-packed! On Saturday, we took a guided tour of Pompeii. It was crazy to be able to walk the streets of this ancient city, learn more about life was like 2000 years ago, and see Mt. Vesuvius. Learning about a city like Pompeii in a middle school classroom is much different than touring it. After our tour, we had a two hour stop in Positano, on the Amalfi coast. We had a fresh seafood dinner down by the beach, Elyse and I took a quick dip in the (freezing cold) Tyrrhenian Sea, and walked around some quaint shops before heading back on the winding mountain roads to Rome. It was a great way to get out of the city for a day and see more of Italy!

And to celebrate Easter Sunday, we attended mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. It was truly an amazing experience (one that has been on my bucket list for a long time now) and is one of the coolest things I’ve gotten to do on this trip. And it was pretty great to share it with my family.

One of the several tour guides we have encountered this week taught us a common Italian phrase - La Dolce Vita, which means “the sweet life”. And this week has been just that! It has been great being able to share this beautiful city with my family (and all you readers). This week taught me that when you take a moment to look around and enjoy every moment, life can be pretty amazing.

Happy Easter,

Olivia (and family!)

Pictures: gelato, our visit to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, Elyse and I around town, The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and our time in Positano, Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, and (of course the famous appearance of) Pope Francis.