1 - Churches
I think it goes without saying that Rome is obviously a very important place when it comes to religion and Catholicism. Fun fact: Vatican City isn't actually part of Rome; it's technically its own city here. After being pulled from church to church all over Rome for my Liturgy class, I feel "churched out". I feel like everything is the same, while on the other hand I severely know that the churches AREN'T the same. They all have different meanings, different architecture, different paintings.
There's an even bigger difference between the churches here in Italy and the ones back home in New Jersey (or churches in the US in general). Churches back home aren't a big deal; actually the whole "church-going process" is essentially similar every week:
While church 30 minutes away from your house starts at 12 noon, you've been fighting for the last 15 minutes with your stubborn teenage daughter about the skull & crossbone tank top and her short shorts, telling her that she obviously can't wear that to mass. But during this typical experience, you realize that it's also 11.45am and you're going to be late for mass. In the end, the result is the same. Your emo tank top wearing daughter tells you she hates you, stomps around the house. You cave and end up not caring what she wears to church, as long as you get there on time. But in the end, you're both 10 minutes late for church. Everyone is staring at you and your daughter, and the whole situation is super awkward.
That's not how is goes here. There are lines in the back of the church DURING MASS for confessions. They have no shame, it's part of their hobby section on FB! They're regular church goers and proud to admit it. They go to confession often and they don't care. The teenagers here have to be covered anyway for fear of getting kicked out of the church, which means EVERYONE'S shoulders and knees have to be covered to even get into the place! It's a different life here. Everyone sings during mass. Everyone prays the words. They have bulletins and mass prayer sheets in piles in the back so when you come in, you can just take one and sit where you please. It's very homey. It's non-judgmental. It's ITALIAN.
2 - Clothes
Not every woman here is a Vicky S model (that's Victoria's Secret model for those of you who have no clue what I just said). But from October to February, all a woman needs here are 2 awesome pairs of boots, some thick tights, warm scarves, a fashionable purse/bag, a jacket that goes with everything, and a pair of sunglasses that won't break no matter how many times you drop them! That's it. The rest will follow - jewelry and your actual outfit underneath all this random stuff. Don't worry about that. Here's my experience:
I totally had my priorities in order today! Instead of going to the Vatican Museums for free, as I had originally planned, I literally got off the metro 6 blocks from the Vatican to find a shoe shop with sales - the most dangerous distraction for a 20 year old who desperately needs Italian-looking boots. Sooo I caved...and bought 2 pairs of awesome boots for less than 50E. It was AMAZING! And the asians running the store were super nice.
But I ended up with this ginormous bag of shoe boxes and realized, There is nooo way I'm getting into the museum with this. So I took the metro to Lepanto and walked the 6 blocks back home in the cold. But this is another thing I checked off my "have to buy" checklist! I already bought tights the other day, and now I have 2 new pairs of Italian boots! ON SALE!
BOOM! My priorities are in order, obviously (sarcasm).
So I changed from my jeans and sneakers into my freshly cleaned (and recently bought) black tights, high top boots, and threw a black skirt over them. I tossed on another shirt, a scarf I brought from home, and my caramel sweater/jacket thingy. Then I walked to church near St. John's. And OMG I got so many looks...like Damnnnn she looks hot! looks. Especially from the older men...we'll see how that works out this week.
3 - Identity & Love
I want to say that Rome is a melting pot, but it isn't supposed to be. What I mean by that is that there are so many different kinds of people here. There are Indians, African Americans, Americans, Australians, Italians from northern and southern Italy, Asians, and English people here. And that's only the beginning of my list. There are so many different people here.
That being said, you can be anyone you want here. You can be a completely different person in Italy than you are in the US. There are actually stores who say that for their sales pitch/slogan - "Be whatever you want". They encourage you to change yourself, in a way, here.
It's also easy to forget who you are compared to who you were in the US. It happened to me. Coming from the US for 4 months was an absolute blessing. And while yeah, there were other things on my "bucket list", living in Italy and being able to speak Italian was at the top. (So if the world DOES end in December, I've lived my life and I have no regrets!) But back to what I said before - you can forget who you are.
When I came to Italy, it was after being frustrated about a ton of different things - friends, work, future schooling, money, love life...but when I came here, none of that seemed to matter. What mattered was looking at the positives: I saved enough money for myself while I'm here, I bought everything I needed, I can enjoy my semester in Italy, it's an absolute dream. In America, I was frustrated with tons of things - who I should be vs. who I AM, what I should do vs. what my only options are. I was hurt by different people in the last year, for different reasons, and was hoping that Italy would give me time to reflect instead of sitting around, constantly asking myself Is it me?
So here's what I've learned about myself since I've lived in Italy for 2 months:
- My dreams of getting married young are probably not even in God's plan, so I'm not worrying about it anymore. If I'm meant to be somewhere, or meant to be with someONE, I'll be there.
- I love languages. I think the most intelligent person is someone who knows languages and uses them because it's a lot of information. I find languages extremely attractive, though I don't know why. I just enjoy learning them. So I'm going to teach myself Spanish and French when I get back to school in January, one of my many New Year's resolutions. (If anyone knows enough Spanish or French to help me, I would appreciate it very much!)
- I seriously need to dress up more. I've been hit on/whistled at/etc. sooo many times and it's just from looking fabulous daily. A really nice outfit, a little makeup, and a pair of earrings could really change your day! The better you feel, the nicer you look.
- You don't need to be strictly religious to have faith. I don't think that needs an explanation.
- I refuse to live my life in my room. Yes, at first I was nervous to walk around in an area of a city in a country I've never been to. And I'm obviously not a native so I have an extra blinking light over my head. But there's no way you'll catch me for these 10 days cowering in my apartment from being "too nervous" to get out and explore. Since I've been here, "exploring" has practically been my middle name.
- That being said, don't be afraid to be silly and let loose sometimes. I never drank back at school (which many think is strange for an American college student), but it's true. And since it's legal here, I've been testing how far my lightweight abilities will let me go. I've had some really awesome nights, with alcohol AND without it - I'm NOT an alcoholic, but it's Italy. Seriously. I've also ended up dancing on tables with friends. Again, all in good fun. Don't be afraid to get a little sexy - it's normal. There are pictures of me on FB that friends back home never thought I was capable of - LOL. (Don't worry, it's just me making tons of hilarious faces and jumping into random photos.) But I'm normally not like that...and breaking out of being shy is new. So when in Rome, right?
- Love. Let's talk about that...I mean, I AM in Rome. Doesn't everyone have some "love" episode or something whenever they go to Italy? Don't the women magically find their "Mister Right" in Italy because Rome is just too perfect? Um...no. The men here are....aggressive. That's really the only word I can think of to describe them (plus my English sucks, so I apologize). But they come on WAY too strong. So let's start with this:
1. My track record isn't the best, but isn't the worst.
2. I'm a realistic thinker. If you're from Italy, how often will you see me in the US? There's obviously no future there and you aren't worth my time.
3. The guys here just want you drunk and in bed. Much like American guys, I know...but Italians just flat out tell/ask you!
4. I'm super awesome, which makes me super difficult to get with. And I'm not a slut who hops into bed with guys - that's not my style. If you want me, you'll work your ass off for me & you'll love every second of your time with me.
5. I have STANDARDS. Remember that word, gentlemen.
So....no. I won't find love in Italy. I'm not that gullable.
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