A Spring Break In Rome

     Spring break is a week-long vacation that, I can assure you, almost all kids look forward to, even if they’re not going anywhere. After all, who would say no to time off from the stresses of school? I know I’ve had my fair share of amazing spring breaks, as I’m sure many others have. Some people like to take cruises, or go to different countries, like Europe. One especially memorable week, I went to Rome.

     Being in Rome isn’t like going to just any foreign city. Certainly, it’s a flourishing, living, urban place. However, the entire grounds are built around Ancient Rome’s ruins, and many of the buildings are even based upon ancient Roman architecture. We would walk past old ruins, fenced off, on the street. Some of them were even occupied by cats! (We deemed those the ‘cat colonies.’) We visited places like the Colosseum, accompanied by apps that explained the many details about Rome. For example, the Colosseum was built on top of one Emperor Nero’s man-made lake. Did you know that? I didn’t. 

     We also went to the Sistine Chapel. The artwork there was stunning, and while we weren’t allowed to take pictures, so there’s not much proof, it was an amazing experience. Being in a room where the walls and ceilings are paintings in themselves was indescribable. It felt like we were surrounded by art, and everywhere we turned, we were met with the depictions of age-old religious tales.

     Everyone loved the food in Rome, too. The pasta was on an entirely different level from the pasta in the USA, and there were plenty of places with fresh-made pasta. I particularly enjoyed the gelato, as that’s something you don’t really get back at home, whereas in Rome, it was on every street corner. 

     Going to Rome was a great use of my spring break, and I hope that someday I can do it again. While it was certainly a fancy trip, going to an exotic place isn’t necessary for a good vacation- you only need to be with the right people for an unforgettable experience.