Back in America..Culture shock.

Arriving in America was overwhelming. Everything felt different, even as if America had become foreign to me. Driving through the Philadelphia suburb where I reside I could not help but watch the way our culture differs just when walking around the streets. First of all, with my windows down, I smelled the scent of fresh cut grass, something I had not smelled in a good seven weeks. I noticed several runners with out their shirts on, also something I never saw in Italy. There were not cobble stone roads, much easier on my legs, but confusing to my familiarity with them. The street signs read, "Speed Limit, 25." It was in English, also something I had not seen for awhile. People dressed in summer attire, shorts and tank tops with sandles on their feet. Looking around there were no beautiful sculptures on the street corner and definitley no piazza's with a Trevi Fountain. I did notice an eroded statue which was beginning to turn green by the local University, and let me tell you, it did not even come close to comparing to the ones I looked at in Rome. Being back in America, I still find myself examining these same themes which I did in Rome and it has forever changed me.

Arrivederci Roma...

Looking back on the topics I chose during my time here in Rome makes me realize how much my appreciate and view on them has changed. The Trevi Fountain, one of my themes, was the most important out of all to me because it is the one place I looked forward to seeing to the most while in Rome due to its exposure in movies. I never would have imagined the area to have been so hectic and energized because I had only imagined it as an empty space I had seen in the movies. The culture of course, was the one that changed my appreciation the most. Watching the way the Italian culture lives and acts made me both open my eyes to the world, as well as appreciate America. My third theme, statues and sculptures, is one that I found to become an interest I never had before. I did not pay much attention to art work until I got to Rome and now it is something that truly affects me and makes me want to learn more about. Even some of the statues I have seen in both Rome and France I have copies of in my home and now I can put a name and story to the sculptures. I believe these three themes were the best I could have chosen for making my experience in Rome so much more meaningful and life changing, and with out the CAS program allowing me to do so I would not have experienced as much as I did.

Last night at the Trevi

Last night was my last visit to the Trevi Fountain, as hard as it was to believe. Walking up to the fountain for the last time on this trip I could not take my eyes off of it. What if this was the last time that I would see it in my life? There are no guarentees, so I did not want to miss a second of it that could have been spent admiring its beauty. As usual, the surrounding steps were packed like sardines with dozens of people. This time however, I noticed that the majority of visitors were now more so tourists than locals. Since it is now late in June, I assumed this would be the case. What was even more suprising was when we got to talking to three different groups of what appeared to be college students. We asked what they were doing in Rome and they responded that they go to school in Florida and just arrived today for a six week program. This struck me being as it was my last night. It was probably their first time viewing the famous Trevi Fountain, and I could take myself back to that feeling of not knowing what to expect and all of a sudden see a beautiful blue fountain with large Neptune at the top of it. It is a feeling that I will never forget and knowing that these students were going through what I had already been made me appreciate what I have gone through and can have enjoyment in knowing others will get to experience just the same.

Dinner at the Trevi

I decided to go to the Trevi Fountain and eat dinner somewhere around it. I found a spaghetteria with outside tables and decided the ambiance was beautiful with the red and white checkered table clothes, candles, and plants surrounding the tables. A few of the girls and I sat down to eat and looked at the other customers meals in complete awe, as we patiently sat waiting to feed our hungry stomachs. We decided we would make this meal a several course one since our time here is dwindling. I began with a Bruschetta al Salmon, and the crispiness of the bread along with the perfectly heated mozerella and smoothly layed salmon mixed perfectly together in a decident taste. For the next course I had a dish called Chanel, which was spaghetti tossed in a lobster and burgundy sauce. This was one of the best dishes I have had since I have been here because it tasted home made. It was like it had just been made in the kitchen of a local Italian’s home, and enjoyed every bit of it. Not only was this meal one of the best I have had in Rome, it was also cheap. A good deal!

Hot day at the Trevi

A scolding hot day at the fountain had me miserable and not appreciative or willing to be enticed in the area surrounding me. I stood at the top of the steps with my sunglasses on, sundress, and could feel the sun beating on every inch of my body making me too hot for comfort. If there is something I did notice at the Trevi Fountain today it was that the area was less crowded than normal. Usually around lunch time it has always been extremely packed, however I am guessing the heat kept people in other areas today. People who had been to Rome before always told me how hot it gets and I did not believe them given my experience so far, but after today’s heat at the Trevi I felt sick just trying to stand in it so my visit was cut short.

A changed meaning

Going to visit the Trevi Fountain on several occasions now, I can definitley say that how I feel about the space as well as how I have used it over the past several weeks has changed. Looking back at pictures from my first visit, as well as notes I have written in my journal I believe that in this space I have grown from a "tourist" to a "local," at least as I see it. When first entering the Piazza Fontana area I myself would always stand in front of the water throwing coins behind my shoulder, as well and sit and observe others doing the same, and that was all it really meant to me. It was a place I had seen in books and movies my entire life and even after several visits I could not get that idea out of my mind. Slowly but surely I came to find myself using the space as if I were a local. Often I find myself sitting on the Trevi Fountain's steps to relax on a break from class and talk on the phone or reflect on my day and write in my journal. Other days I will sit and socialize with friends as we eat gillato. Some days we even pass by on our way to another location without glancing twice at the fountain because at this point we have grown so accustomed to it. What I used to think was strange to me to see locals doing in the area, i find myself acting in the same manner. Observing the Trevi has came to help me understand how people use these type of spaces as a part of their everyday life.

Gilatto by the Trevi

Gillato has become a way of life for Romans no matter what time of the year it is. Whether it is morning, afternoon, or night people of all ages sit to enjoy this delicacy. Even mother's feed their babies small tastes of the creamy sweet treat. Especially in the Piazza Fontana Trevi is Gillato rapidly seen. At first I did not know why it was such a "fad" to eat Gillato in front of the famous fountain, until later I found out the best place to get it is actually within that Piazza. Gelato di San Crispino is a small intimate shop with several different flavors that is known to Rome. Obviously since I had heard the praise about it i had to check it out for myself. Walking in to the gillato shop a swift breeze emulated the marvelous smells of rich chocolate and creamy delicacy directly to my nostrils. I was overwhelmed about what selection to choose while looking carefully at every choice I had staring me in the face. The decision between Nutella or a fruity refresher was no easy task. Going with my usual, Nutella, I decided this would be my best bet to decide whether this shop really had the best from what I have tried thus far. Scooping my first bite I excitedly took a bite as the cool gillato sent a rush down my spine. Every part about it was amazing and refreshing. The blend of flavors was exactly on point and tasted more pure than most places I have been. When finishing my special treat I was completely satisfied and can agree with everyone else that it was the best I have had yet. Hands down.

The Urban Legend

The most entertainment I have seen at the Trevi Fountain is watching people perform the world known urban legend. If you toss a coin over your shoulder and into the water with your back facing the fountain, it is believed you will return to Rome. This custom was begun in the 18th century as a way of collecting money for neighborhood "charities." The Trevi coin belief got its biggest boost from the 1954 movie, "Three Coins in the Fountain." The movie portrayed three coins being tossed in the fountain, two meant an engagement would occur soon, and three meant a divorce. I have seen a plethora of people reading the Rick Steve's tour guide as they literally perform their actions step-by-step as the book tells you to. It makes me laugh when I see tourists with their backs to the fountain, coin in one hand, and book in the other. Half of the coins they tried to toss in did not even make it into the fountain because of their fascination with making sure they did exactly as the millions of other people throughout history had done. The Trevi Fountain is visited by approximately 8,000 people on a daily basis, collecting about 3000 euros every night, which are used to help Rome's needy.

Make a wish

Perhaps what I have always noticed and been most excited about seeing in Rome is the Trevi Fountain. Being a Film Production based Major, this historic fountain has been featured in several films that I have viewed and always wondered what would be like to actually see in person. When I did it was both all I imagined and at the same time not at all. In films we see the area completely empty, and nothing but the breath taking view. Of course, movies manipulate reality, but I always had this picture in my mind. When I first walked into the high traffic area, I was taken back by what really exists. Tourists, natives, vendors, and stores surrounded the Trevi Fountain making it extremely active and energetic. I guess now when I watch these movies again I will really know what goes on behind the scenes!