Growing up in Roma

Ciao from Italia! This trip has truly been the experience of a lifetime. Let's start from the beginning.....

Whitney and I flew in to Rome (just the two of us!) and this is where our adventure began. Thank goodness she was with me! Try never being in a foreign country before, not knowing the language, and being two girls alone...... put those together and it makes for some great stories.

We tried to see all of Rome in only 2 days (which is impossible, may I add). This picture is inside the Colosseo, home of the gladiators and ancient Roman entertainment. It was a magnificent site! I think this is where I first began to feel truly small and realize how much is actually out there in the world.

Being thrown into this situation made me feel as if I had grown up 10 years in only 2 days. I felt my leadership skills emerge as I asked for directions and tried to understand Italian accents. What helped me the most, however, was my decision to step out of my comfort zone. I have never been very good at asking for help, as I try to be independent and figure things out as an individual. But here, in Italy, I had to realize that I did not, in fact, know everything (or anything, for that matter!), so asking for help was a big step for me. I found myself starting to ask more and more, and being more comfortable as I did. Rome, for me, was not as much culture shock as it was "get off your high horse and ask for help" shock. I matured infinitely during these 2 days, and I am proud of myself for going outside what was natural for me.