Again, But Better

Why are you closed? I need you now!
When I
turn back, Pilot’s still holding out his hand. I am hungry. I won’t be able to eat if I pass up this offer
and insist on staying—because money.
“And then we’ll come back and check on the restaurant?” I ask, grabbing his hand.
He pulls me up off the curb and releases my palm. My hand is fangirling as I return it to my
side. I begrudgingly follow him down the cobblestone street.
“And then we’ll meet Sahra and Babe at the Colosseum.”
I let this sit for a moment. Maybe he’s right. Am I being stays-in-her-dorm-and-misses-
everything-out-of-fear Shane? But, if they happen to open early, I’d be here the second they open.
I sigh. “But what if I need Chapstick and start to deteriorate due to withdrawal?”
In front of me, Pilot turns back and shoots me a sarcastic look. I can see him trying not to smile
behind it.
“If it gets bad, I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”
The corners of my mouth twitch up. Pilot hooks a left at the next corner, and we stop abruptly
outside a gelato shop. It’s open. What the heck? “How did you know this was here?”
“We passed it last night.”
“It was dark!” I exclaim in disbelief.

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He puts a finger to his temple. “Good with directions.”
Pilot buys me a watermelon gelato, and we make our way down to a tourist-swarmed
Colosseum. We find Sahra and Babe in the line to get in. While we’re waiting, I express my extreme
disappointment in not being able to document the day because my digital camera is in my purse—
and immediately Babe offers to let me borrow hers whenever I feel like snapping a picture. I fight
the urge to wrap her in one of those abrupt, emotional thank-you hugs because I don’t want to come
off as too dramatic. I go a little boneless for a second, looking from her to Pilot. I got real lucky
being assigned to Flat Three.
1/16/11 11:50 p.m.
I thought I would be tired, having spent the last two days flouncing about in Rome and
then traveling all the way back to the Karlston, but I’m invigorated right now. I’m riding
this weird post-travel high. I already edited all the pictures, put them up on Facebook,
and finished dramatizing a first draft of the harrowing tale of almost losing my passport
for my blog (“That Time I Lost My Passport”). I’m happy with it, but I need to put down
a more personal recounting of the weekend so I don’t forget any of the details that made
it super-wonderful.
THE ROME TRIP 1/14–1/16/2011: A HIGHLIGHTS REEL
We Explored the Colosseum
When the time was right, I switched into photographer mode, borrowing Babe’s camera
and snapping solo pictures of Babe, Pilot, and Sahra. Afterward, Babe took the camera
away and shooed me and Pilot out in front of the lens. Immediately, I felt nervous and
self-conscious. Is it okay to be in a picture alone with Pilot? Babe snapped the shot. Pilot
then took the camera from Babe and instructed the girls to go stand at my side, and he
snapped one of the three of us.
We Saw Super-Ruiny Ruins
We headed up the hills surrounding the Colosseum where temples and ruins of all sorts of
ancient architectural grandeur were scattered. We took our time, stopping to gawk in awe
at everything. I basically ended up hijacking Babe’s camera for the entirety of the hike,
directing everyone into
different poses in front of all sorts of beautiful giant structures.
You don’t see things like this in the United States. We’re too new. Everything in Rome
feels old, weathered, and loaded with character.
I Ate More Ravioli
Around noon, we stopped for more Italian food. Sahra offered to cover my meal. I hugged
her. She politely patted my back until I pulled away. I told her I’d pay her back as soon as
I gained access to money. The three of them drank more Italian wine, and I worried more
about my purse. Pilot promised he’d come with me to check out the trattoria again after
we ate, so I quickly devoured the most delicious ravioli I’ve ever had.
We Found My Purse
Thank the heavens! When I raced us back to the trattoria, it was open, and they had my
purse behind the counter. Babe whooped, Sahra smiled, and Pilot loosed an excited HEY
of triumph. My relief was palpable. It was all I could do not to tear up as I described the
items inside, and the owner handed the cross-body to me across the hostess table. I fell to
the floor in a low squat and hugged it to my chest, feeling so blessed that I got to keep
going—the adventure wasn’t over yet.
We Saw the Pantheon
Pilot took the lead, paving our path to the Pantheon with the map he had stashed in his
back pocket. We headed down a narrow street lined with little shops that emptied into an
open square dominated by one single, giant stone structure—the Pantheon.
I did a whole project on the Pantheon in high school, so walking up to it felt more surreal
than any other landmarks we visited. I reverently stepped through its garden of pillars
and into the circular cavern within. Niches line the circumference of the chamber, each

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one filled with some sort of historical statue or tomb, and when you look up at the
ceiling, there’s an enormous uncovered hole in the center called the oculus. You can look
right up at the sky! While I was ogling up at it, Pilot said, “Give me your camera,” and
when I dropped my gaze, he was right in front of me. I handed it to him. He hurried back
a few feet and snapped a picture of me inside the Pantheon. Babe saw him take it, came
over, took the camera from him, and told him to get into the picture with me. My skin
buzzed as he sidled up next to me and settled his arm around my waist. Another picture of
just the two of us. This one, on my camera. This one would be (is) in my Facebook album.
The four of us made our way around the circumference of the room, exploring all the
niches and reading the signs inlaid with small bursts of history. Robert Langdon–related
trivia kept zooming around my brain. I got to a point where I couldn’t help myself, and
yelped about it excitedly.
Me: *flails* Guys, remember when Robert Langdon came here in
The Da Vinci Code?
Pilot, Babe, and Sahra: *crickets*
I proceeded to insist upon their reading of
Angels and Demons
and
The Da Vinci Code.
We Saw the Trevi Fountain
We all threw coins over our shoulders and made wishes. The fountain itself was
fantastical! There was so much detail in every statue, I wouldn’t have been surprised if it
sprang to life (but that would be horrifying; there’s one too many practically naked
intense-looking men in that fountain).
We Climbed the Freakin’ Vatican
Sunday (this morning), we spilled out of a bus into an area cordoned off with an
impressive array of giant pillars. It legit felt like we were walking into Mount Olympus.
The four of us wandered into the most breathtaking square thus far. I’ve never seen
architecture this grandiose, this—epic.
Inside the Vatican, we climbed this endless winding staircase. The steps actually twisted
sideways and up onto the wall as we reached the uppermost domed portion of the church.
I loved it.
We were all out of breath when we finally reached the top. The path led us outside, onto a
narrow balcony that encircled the tip of the dome. The four of us diffused, spreading out
among the rest of the tourists. When I spotted an open area of railing, I flung myself
against it to stare out at the city. I tried to memorize the view, the feeling of wonder and
accomplishment, the joy pumping through my veins.
We Saw the Pope
Back in St. Peter’s Square, there was a massive gathering of people looking up at a
taupe-colored building. We wandered over to see what the fuss was about, squinting our
eyes
against the sun. There, five stories up, looking out over a balcony, arms extended,
was the Pope. What even!
I can’t believe we were only gone for two days. We saw so much. I never dreamed so
much could be done in two days. But it can! I can’t wait to do this in other countries.
There’s so many possibilities. I’m so much more excited about my
Packed! For Travel!
internship!

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