The Rome Experience

It’s strange to look back and read my initial blog. It feels like I wrote it such a long time ago.The first was that I wanted to learn a lot of Italian. I must admit that for the longest time I felt like I was not reaching this goal, like I was not working hard enough. It’s only been in the past two or three weeks that I’ve really realized how much I’ve learn. My spelling is still horrible, I can’t remember the rules, I feel like as far as class goes I’m still confused, but when it comes to talking to people I understand a lot of what they say. It’s amazing how much I’ve habituated myself to hearing it. I can understand announcements in the train station, many of the questions people ask in shops or while they’re out, and mostly I am finding that I am finally understanding random little bits and pieces of people’s conversations. I have definitely progressed in Italian in a manner very different than I learned French or even the little bit of Spanish I know. I have appreciated having the ability to see just how much comes to you simply by listening and learning a few verbs. If I could do this trip over however, I would have studied some before I came.
The second was to learn about my Catholic heritage. I really have done this too. I know a lot more about the day to day practice of Catholicism than ever. However, I also have realized a lot about my own personal beliefs and how they relate. I share a lot of beliefs with Catholics. I already knew this to some extent but this trip has proven it even further. I’ve also been noticing how, as much as religion is a touchy subject for most people, it really isn’t for me. I really feel like I’ve heard it all before, as much as I think I might be too young to say that. People can be really insulting and I don’t even get upset. I guess I’m just to the point where I think people who say insulting things like that atheists have nothing to prevent them from committing murder are, well ,as wrong as someone who thinks that the Earth is flat. I’m beginning to find harsh, uneducated religious arguments amusing. Perhaps, I should be more alarmed, I’m not sure. I’ll certainly defend people who need defended. However, otherwise I think I’ll just let their boat sail off the edge of the Earth.
Apart from all that, I would say that I’m definitely more aware and comfortable with the person that I am. Travelling brings out a different side of people, and I’ve noticed things about myself that I’ve never noticed before. I guess most of these things are private but the basic just is I think I’m going to be even more mature after this. Ok, now that I’ve shared probably too much with everyone, all I can really say is grazie e arrivederci a Rome. This has definitely been the experience of a lifetime.