All roads lead to Rome. . .

Tayla Lugo (Class of 2017) reports from a very busy summer in Italy. While her course is based out of Florence, she has taken advantage of the opportunity to explore more of Italy with friends.

Ciao! My name is Tayla Lugo and I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy. This weekend ten of my friends and I traveled to Rome, Italy to discover the history of ancient Rome.

The first site my friends and I visited was the Trevi Fountain. Unfortunately, it is being restored but I was still able to throw some coins into the fountain and make a wish. Later on we went inside the Colosseum, which felt so surreal. I still cannot believe that I was there, standing in a huge stadium where gladiators once fought. My friends and I also visited the Pantheon, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican, and Sistine Chapel. When I walked into The Sistine Chapel my jaw dropped and I could not believe my eyes. After studying Michelangelo in class and learning about the Renaissance, it was a treasure and a gift to view Michelangelo’s work. I am so happy that it is forbidden to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel because no amount of pictures would ever be able to do his work justice. 

Tayla Lugo takes advantage of a summer study abroad class in
Florence to head further afield and explore Rome.

After our visit at the Vatican Museum, my friends and I watched a previous Mass by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square and took a plethora of pictures. We ate delicious pizza at Campo de Fiori and enjoyed each other’s company in Piazza Navona. I also raced my roommates up the Spanish Steps, which was a little hard considering there were over two thousand people there.

Rome was truly an unforgettable city where I was able to fulfill my goal of being in two countries at once: Italy and Vatican City. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for being able to travel all around Italy to places I always dreamt about when I was a little girl. I will always remember this amazing journey to Rome and all of the memories that were made here. As I write this blog I am realizing that I only have five more days in Italy. I plan on making the most of my time here while continuing to indulge in the Italian culture and cuisine!

Best,

Tayla Lugo