home sweet ROME: quick trip
The second I left Rome in May, I was already plotting my return as soon as possible. I knew that no matter what, I needed something to look forward too. I had decided pretty quickly that I would go back sometime in the fall and booked my flight the second I could.
I was living with one of my best friends Carly last summer and I had proposed the idea of her coming with. We then immediately got to work and started saving up to book our tickets. Going for a week was perfect as we were able to hit all my hidden favorite spots along with show Carly every part of Rome. One of my longest friends in college is my former big in my sorority, Hanna. Since the first day we met in 2022 we have truly always been connected. She means so much to me and she had moved to Madrid, Spain to teach English. I had mentioned when we were going and that she should join us for the weekend. Absolutely ecstatic that she said yes, and I knew we were going to have a lovely time.
Our travel day was not so lovely though. Our original travel day was Raleigh to JFK to Rome. Our flight to JFK ended up being delayed so our Rome flight took off without us. We were able to be rerouted to Amsterdam and then to Rome. Frustrating of course but when it was all settled we arrived to Rome just a few hours later than the original schedule.
We had secured an apartment for the week in Trastevere, where I used to live. I knew the area well as it was right next to my school and easy to navigate for us. We quickly got changed and walked to the Piazza Trilussa where we had to go to my all time favorite spot when I studied abroad….Mammo. We ordered an iced coffee and the largest caesar salad, as so many more servings of pasta and pizza would be coming our way shortly. After our lunch we crossed the Tiber River where I showed Carly the typical but breathtaking sights. The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps were magical as always. After what felt like 10,000 steps we headed to my favorite dinner spot, Oste Nostro. Their carbonara is my all time favorite but the amatriciana is a close second. After being stuffed full we headed back to the apartment and slept for as long as possible.
One of my favorite things to do in Rome was honestly get tattoos. We had found an amazing tattoo shop called Jay Lester tattoos that did beautiful fine line tattoos for my friends and I when we lived there. I think I got around 5 tattoos done in Rome that I still love. Carly and I decided it was a tattoo day and I had really wanted to continue to work on growing my back. I had decided on getting the birth of Venus on my back but adding a pearl in the clam shell to represent my birth stone. After spending time having wonderful conversations with the Italians we decided to grab lunch and spritz’s in the Piazza di Santa Maria. We could not forget about gelato as well either. Faith and I spent so much time in that piazza and is actually where we spent our last day before we came back home. For dinner we were so excited to meet up with my local friends Flavio and Gina. Last year my roommates and I met these spectacular Romans on the street and immediately befriended them. They were such a massive part of my Italian experience and I hold them close to my heart. After dinner, Hanna was coming in and so we went back to the apartment as it was our first time going out on this trip.
One of Rome’s appeals for me has always been the lively nightlife. There is so much to do and I have always loved the club atmosphere with music that you can dance too. When I studied abroad we stumbled upon Nur Bar and since then we have never let it go. I knew I wanted to take my friends there and of course when we got there we ended up being out till 4 am. A McDonalds run was necessary and that is where we ended up at 5 am. We were supposed to see the Vatican at around 9 but you can probably assume that did not happen.
The next day we explored the Piazza Trilussa some more and there was this stunning art show happening right in the middle of the square. When seeing things like this happen right in the middle of the square it always reminds me of the community in Rome. Always lively and always beautiful to be around. One of my favorite landmarks in Rome has and always will be the Altar of the Fatherland which overlooks the Roman Forum. Sitting on the steps and eating a sandwich or just listening to the city bustle was always a favorite memory of mine. We all sat together and just took it all in. My one wish and request was to visit the Ferrari store and it definitely lived up to its expectations. There are two religions in Italy which would be the Catholic Church and Ferrari. We know it well and it was very important to take some of that back with me for the next Formula One season.
On Hannas last day and night we had toured the Colosseum in the morning. The Colosseum has always been something that was so surreal to just be around in your everyday. We would just be walking and there it was. One of the wonders of the world just right in the middle of the road. We were able to spend time there for a little while before making our way to the Piazza Navona. The Piazza Navona is a spectacular sight to see especially at night. We lingered there for a while before grabbing some pizza and preparing for our night.
One of the bigger clubs in Rome is called Opus and I never had the opportunity to go previously so I knew that I wanted to make it a priority to go on this trip. Carly, Hanna, and I were able to grab tickets to Opus’s outdoor event and it was truly one of the most exciting nights out I have had in Rome so far. All of us danced and sang with the locals all night. I got to practice my Italian and it was the perfect way to end the weekend.
For our last few days we spent our time soaking it all in, trying out all new restaurants, and having as many Hugo’s as we could. Rome holds the most special place in my heart and I look forward to the next time I can experience it again. I am so blessed to be able to show my friends and family somewhere that I do truly call home.
