The First Impressions of Beautiful Roma, Italia

It’s day four in Roma and the rumors about Italy are true. This country is so incredibly beautiful and romantic, you can’t help but get swept up in that attitude. Especially in Roma, a city prided on their beautiful attractions, beautiful inhabitants, and beautiful food, one would think you’d feel a sense of self-consciousness at the prettifying of all of it. Not so, because it’s almost as if the stunning nature of this city rubs off on you and that just by virtue of being near it, you become it.

It’s quite startling, because even though most men in this city are undressing me with their eyes (and I don’t say this to be conceited; they do this with most women), I don’t feel objectified, but instead feel like another piece of art in their gorgeous city. The cat calls and general machismo seems to have dwindled, as I was expecting there to be harassment of women on the streets, but that just isn’t so. It’s a silent and subtle appreciation of the human form and Italians are bent on treating that form to all the pleasures this world offers.

I’m still taking it all in and have waded in the waters just a bit. I have three months here to start and I plan on taking it slow in order to savor each fantastic aspect of this country. Still, I’m observing, not quite sure where I’m going to fully immerse myself and I’m patient that the right direction will suddenly present itself, as if it had been there all along. Making mistakes are commonplace, but the people here are so gracious of my effort that it almost brings tears to my eyes when a woman leans over to me, hands me a bus ticket, and shows me how to work the machine.

Or, by virtue of confidence alone, I am asked, in Italian, where Termini is and although this may be nothing to some people, this feels like a small feat to me. To have found a way to acclimate in a country where everything is foreign except the universal human emotions, is an accomplishment for me. And, I am finding that Italy was quite the perfect leap into world traveling, as it is far enough from what is familiar, but close enough that I don’t feel too much like an outsider.

And, although the first day I got here, I was hit with such a formidable wave of loneliness, self-doubt, and anxiety, I am finding that this is a completely natural reaction to an unfamiliar environment. While I’m sure I’ll go through ups and downs, I know that this continues to feel like a right decision in my life. I came equipped with luggage, an open mind, and the desire to learn about what it means to love and live. There’s no practical reason to believe that the answer is here in Italy (well, the love part, maybe!), but the undeniable attraction to this country is what makes me believe it’s true.

There is much to be learned here and, really, can you think of a better classroom?

(All pictures by Jamie Varon)