Rome: The City That Dragged Me Up a Hill Physically… and My Soul, Also

When people talk about Rome, they describe the beauty, the cuisine, the insane history.Nobody ever mentions the way it humbles you within the first ten minutes of arriving.

My very first moment in Rome wasn’t glamorous

it was sweaty.

I had already made friends on the train from the airport. We were chatting like we were at summer camp instead of strangers trying to figure out public transportation in a foreign country. It made me feel instantly more comfortable. I just adore my female friends.

Then I got off the train in Rome and realized my hostel was at least an hour walk away. For some reason (being the eldest daughter and a child of divorce), I'm the most stubborn woman alive. I had just been crunched into a plane seat for a million hours, and the idea of getting into another vehicle was spiritually offensive.

So I decided to HIKE it.

Not a walk a triathlon.

It’s called the City of Seven Hills for a reason.

So let’s picture this: historic Rome, ancient cobblestones, tourists everywhere… and me, walking through it all with my backpack strapped to the front of my body like a baby carrier (to protect the laptop, my baby), dragging my giant suitcase behind me, sweating through my airport clothes, and jet-lagged into another dimension.

Rome is incredibly hilly, by the way something nobody mentions, so I’LL SAY IT TWICE.

Every time I reached the top of a hill, another one rose up like a personal challenge from God Himself.

It honestly felt like a humiliation ritual. But a fun one. Like, “suffer… cinematically.”

And somewhere in that hour-long march dodging Vespas (real) and taking wrong turns it hit me that I was actually here.

In Rome.

Completely alone.

The Moments That Made Rome Feel Like… Well, Rome

My favorite part about traveling is always the people I meet, and Rome didn’t disappoint. I made actual friends a Ukrainian girl, a Russian girl, and a German girl, which sounds like the start of a joke, but ended up being some of the best moments of my trip.

My last night in Rome still feels a little magical. I stayed up late with my Ukrainian friend. We went to a wine bar, wandered through the streets, smoked, talked about life, and ended the night at Enzo’s, a tiny spot right by the hostel that had the best tiramisu. It was one of those nights where you know you'll remember it forever.

Seeing the Colosseum in person was so surreal I still think it may have been a dream. Because what do you mean I got to see THE Colosseum? I pinched myself like three times just to check.

Standing inside the Vatican Museums was unbelievable. The artwork was so stunning I’d be committing a sin by even trying to describe it.

Smoking a cigarette in the Vatican gardens? Honestly, I felt quite cool. I was even showing a bit of knee. AND THEY HAVE A CAFE?!

 Let Me Be Clear: I Made Several Questionable Decisions in Rome

Because life is for living, and boring people never have good stories.

So… I’ll hold your hand while I say this:I got on a Vespa with a man I did not know.

Listen

In every rom-com, the scooter ride looks adorable. In real life, it was me clinging to this random Italian man while he drove me up a secluded hill and then immediately tried to kiss me.

Horrifying.

Zero stars.

I have notes: girls, do NOT get on a Vespa with a stranger unless you’re okay with the possibility of being kissed or worse at high altitude.

Fortunately, I’m alive, well, and only slightly (very) traumatized. (not vespa pictured)

 The Food That Ruined Me for America Forever

The food in Rome is utterly disrespectful to every meal I’ve ever eaten in Austin.

And the wine? Oh my GOD.

I drank it like water. I drank it in parks. I drank it on balconies. I drank it maybe a bit on the too-much side but I was in Rome, so obviously it doesn’t count.

I will swear on the Pope’s hat itself that the worst food in Rome is better than the best food in Texas. I was spiritually and physically transformed by the pasta. I ate like someone who had been starved.

I gained like 15 pounds, but YOLO.

I lived by the three P’s: pasta, prosecco, and pizza.

Now I need three more: Pilates, pickles, and prunes, probably.

Rome Made Me Fall in Love (With Myself)

There’s something about solo travel it just has my heart. I hate being lonely, but I LOVE being alone.Nobody is talking to me about things I don’t want to talk about.

I can do whatever I want.

And I can be the little freak I am at heart.

Being solo in a place as overwhelming and beautiful as Rome changes you a little. It made me feel independent in a way that nothing else does. I felt proud. Accomplished. Grateful.

It reminded me how much life there is to live and how lucky I am to be alive to live it.

Rome showed me that you can go anywhere and meet people who feel familiar. You can show up in a new city and be a new you. You can and should choose adventure again and again, especially when it scares you!!!!! I beg you!

It made me feel alive and content and, honestly, a bit bored (which I believe, as a society, we should get better at being!). It also made me walk miles every day (like 5–7), which I wish I could do more of in car-dependent Texas. BOOOO.

But overall, it was lovely. And I love how my family misses me when I’m gone because for a moment, they forget how annoying I can be, haha.

Why You Should Go to Rome (in 30 seconds bc do you actually need convincing??)

Because it’s the most beautiful city you’ll ever see, and there’s nowhere else on earth where you can literally walk through history the way you can in Rome and if you let it, the city will remind you that the world is so much bigger, kinder, and more awesome sauce than you remembered.

Also, tiramisu, duh. - Elizabeth Mignon