"What do you want to do today?...Oh let's just Rome." Part 2

Alright, as usual it’s been much longer than I anticipated to get you this entry. =] I should altogether stop telling you when I think I’ll get them done. And hey, then it’s always a pleasant surprise when you find a new one. Anyway, I give you: Rome Part 2 (Final Rome conclusions)…
It’s been over a week since I returned home from Rome. My memories already have that history haze beginning to glaze over them. You know, that haze that makes it feel like yesterday and a month ago all at once. Sevral random things still stand out from the fog:
*Seeing the Coliseum from the public transportation bus and plastering myself against the window
*My first gelato by the Trevi Fountain
*The sights and smells of the little bakery/pastry shop down the road from our “house”
*Walking to the Pantheon with Ali and Amanda – Ali: “Doh-vay see troh-vuh Pantheon?” Guy: “Speak English.”
*Homemade dinner nights
*Walking through the Trastevere by night
*Laying on the cobblestone ground at the Vatican and looking at the stars, enjoying the peace and quiet
*Standing in Piazza Repubblica and replaying old memories in my head

I still can’t believe that I went to Rome for a week. It was my first “adult” trip. I’m not a child anymore, and I don’t need a chaperone. When did that happen?
I’ve learned to:
*find my own way around a large, crowded city (use a map)
*take public transportation and NOT get angry at the world when it goes slower than expected
*budget money in a way that’s frugal, but still enjoyable
*be the spokesperson for a group
*exchange valuable information through few words
*bite my tongue when my opinion is of no value
*intuitively plan activities according to the preferences of an entire group
*figure out another person’s preference without talking about it
*confront an issue before the breaking point
And more…

Okay I know lists can be obnoxious, but I’m a list person... imi pare rau (I’m sorry). I just can’t find a way to express how valuable this trip was to me on so many different levels. I not only saw Rome and all its glory (and shortcomings), but I learned things about myself that no other situation in life thus far has revealed. Before leaving, I imagined the trip to be extremely relaxing and just plain fun. I had no idea God would “put me to work” and help me develop as a person (in Him) in the process. It's funny how he does that when you least want it/expect it/feel like you can handle it, isn't it? And it's also funny how it's always perfect timing.
Yet again life here has proven to be challenging, unique, and invaluable.

More pictures from the adventure:

One of the many churches we saw. They were all very extravagant.
Although I don't know the theology and all the reasoning behind this act, I do know it's beauty.
By night, Rome is a different place.
Funky pyramid thing that supposedly houses the bones of someone important. (Haha...)
Fun at the fresh water fountains that appear out of nowhere on any given street.

Meet Ott the troll. He was kidnapped by the group from Hans and enjoyed a week in Rome with the rest of us. Here he's taking in the Spanish Steps. =]