Journal Excerpt 1

Today we ventured out into the Rome that you don't see in postcards, the places that give the city history and culture. I may just be in awe, having it be only the third day of the program, but I found beauty today in places I never knew I wanted to visit. Hopefully I will remember to go back with my camera. After the Jewish Ghetto, we walked along Teatro Marcello. Only Rome can perfectly fuse the old and the new the way those apartments sit upon the Colosseum-style architecture. Yet in construction, it's hard to believe that this almost destruction of history (okay, alteration) was welcomed with open arms. The situation seems comparable to the late 20th century addition to Suzzalo Library (who ever thought that was a good idea?), but not quite as ugly. It actually looks very nice now, but has it always?

The issues with Rome giving in to new styles and new architecture (hardly complaints in this city) soon subsided upon visiting Santa Sabina and Parco Savello. Built centuries before many of today's Roman wonders, the complex seems to be in a world of its own - even the viewpoint seems to defy physics as it extends from the peak of one of the southern hills of Rome. As you sit with arguably one of the best views of the city, it's hard not to imagine the chronology of a developing city below. It is amazing to find places that have remained so permanent as their surroundings have changed so much. Surely the viewpoint is a twentieth century tourist addition, especially since it perfectly faces St. Peter's, but the church reminds us of times when tourism was not even a defined word. The cats seem to respect that as they sunbathe between orange trees. With the quietness only giving in to the trickling of public water from a nearby fountain, it's nice to know not everywhere does life move at the speed of a Vespa on Via Garibaldi.