On an Evening in Roma

So riddle me this. How does one possibly summarize the Castelli Romani, beautiful shopping in Albano, first encounters with sangria, new friends who speak no English, the Roman night life scene, lazy days in Ariccia, first trips to an Italian farmer’s market, private tours of Rome, daylight dance parties, and history lessons that are far beyond just an educational experience? If you guessed “impossible”, you are so correct. As much as I wish it were possible, there is no way I could ever explain to you how magnificent, glorious, exciting, and wonderful my first two weeks have been. 

A little birdie once told me that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will show you how fabulous this life is instead of telling you...

First gelato experience in Albano. Mixed berries, coconut, and dark chocolate. Mama mia, so delish. And how pretty is she?!

Solo shots on Via Appia. The ancient Roman road that leads from Rome all the way to Southern Italy. Ancient, rustic, and vintage. I can dig it.

a light apertivo dinner with friends (Ann Burgwin and Kelsey) in Albano. You pay for a drink and one plate, as full as you would like; check out that dish. We can put away a few groceries. Living like a true college student; gorging. 

                                   On our way into Rome! 

One of the greatest architectural feats of all time; the Pantheon. I’m in awe of this picture. Certainly will be framing this on a large scale when I get home

Who doesn’t love a good “selfie” at the ole Trevi Fountain. 

Piazza Navona. Glorious

fresh flower market in Campo di Fiori

I wonder how many people have sat right there at the Fontana de Trevi and smiled like that 

“When you walk here, you walk on history”

Everything is so fresh and bright, it’s an organic lover’s dream come true

Ariccia Monday Market

The most glorious chapel. Wanna know where I found this little gem; across the street from our palace. 

All of these works and arts are a tribute to our King. Hallelujah and amen!

Upon visiting the Non-Catholic Cemetery, we walked by this bush. I bent down and smelt it and instantly was in love (many of you know where this is going). It’s a type of lavender bush that had hints of lemon and rosemary! I will be planting this at home and wish I could just toss this bushel in my suitcase. 

Lavender does something wonderful to my psyche.

Oscar Wilde’s John Hancock at the Keates and Shelley house at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome.

All that stood between me and literary history was a thin piece of glass...and a snippy British museum guard 

the blondie is me and the beauty is a little place called Rome

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” 

-John Lennon