I’ve been looking back through old trip photos recently as we gear up for another trip later this month and after a recent chat with a friend of mine who just got back from traveling around Europe, the topic of Italy came up and the reasons for why I’m not so crazy about it. It got me thinking. Nick and I visited Rome and Italy in general for the first time a couple years ago and to be honest, the trek getting to Rome was horrendous, canceled flights, delays and terrible customer service on the airline’s part, so that might have put us off to start with. We arrived in Rome and didn’t fall in love with it like other destinations we had before.
But after talking with my friend, I got to thinking about why we didn’t LOVE Rome, like we had LOVED Paris and London before it. And as I look through our photos from that trip, they are some of my favorite photos to this day; the colors, the architecture, the beauty. So I got to thinking, why didn’t I fall so hard in love with Rome as I would have liked to?
And that answer I’m afraid is complicated and more of a feeling I got there than anything. I was overwhelmed; the noise, the motorcycles flying by, the chaos of Italy’s ancient city. But here’s the thing, it’s taken me 2+ years to fully encase my memories of Rome. It’s taken me 2+ years after our trip there to really appreciate the city that is Rome and while perhaps, for some, it happens immediately, for me I needed to let Rome settle with me. I needed to look back at our beautiful photos from that trip, to appreciate the memories there, to acknowledge just how much the city still impacts me today.
Here’s the thing, sometimes a city doesn’t pull you in right away, sometimes it needs to linger in your thoughts, in your photo albums. Sometimes a city needs time to settle in with your thoughts and your memories. Rome is such a city for me.
Rome is many things: historical, beautiful, chaotic, charming, and frenetic all at once. It’s also a place filled to the brim with places that take your breath away. And while I wasn’t crazy about Rome at first, I will say this: I could sit by the fountain in front of the Pantheon for hours taking in the scene of yellow and orange buildings around me, the ancient and gorgeous Pantheon in front of me. I still remember the “awe” feeling of standing in the Colosseum, the way you are transported through place and time as you stand there, imagining all those that were there before you. I remember fondly our long Italian dinners, waiters exactly how you picture Italians. I recall the sound of fluent Italian floating over everything.
So I guess for me, Rome still is many things and looking back, it’s called the Eternal City for a reason. For me, it’s a place that has touched me deeply and one that I remember fondly as I look back through our photos and recall the amazing moments we had while there. It’s a city that I think will only grow on me as time passes and until I stand among it’s cobblestones again.
Kayla C says
How strange, I’ve been going through our old Rome trip photos too- my post will be up tomorrow! I loved reading your perspective of the city – I felt that way about Paris oddly enough at first. I think because we came from Rome, which was small and very walk-able to see nearly all of the major sites. Paris seemed overwhelming I think, but as we toured we fell in love with Paris too.
Casey Martin says
So funny that you’d be doing the same thing! 🙂 And so interesting to hear your perspective on the city as I felt the total opposite as you between Rome and Paris. To each their own 🙂
Jenna says
It’s funny how different cities can leave such vastly different impressions on people… and how sometimes time changes one’s own opinions. For me that was India – when I finished that trip I was so overwhelmed and emotionally drained that I couldn’t come to any concrete opinion about the country, but looking back I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit.
Casey Martin says
Yes it really does. Sometimes you really need some time to comp template a trip and take it for what it is.
Quyen Nguyen says
Beautiful post! I loved my time in Rome as well. What made it special was not the city actually (even though it was amazing), but it was our daily train ride. We did not stay in the city of Rome, but outside the city center, in a small suburb. Every day, we took a 40 minute train ride to get into the city and I adore that time we had together to plan out the day, and maybe nap every once in a while. 🙂
http://liveitinerantly.com/
Casey Martin says
Thanks! That’s a really interesting perspective too about your train rides, thanks for sharing!
jennainabudhabi says
I love how you expressed your feelings about Rome, “Here’s the thing, sometimes a city doesn’t pull you in right away, sometimes it needs to linger in your thoughts, in your photo albums. Sometimes a city needs time to settle in with your thoughts and your memories.” I have felt this way about places – Nepal, Scotland – but was never able to articulate it until I read this. Well said!
Casey Martin says
Thank you 🙂
Jeneric Generation says
I think you have actually captured what I have not been able to put into words. I was so excited to go to Rome when I visited in 2009, but when we arrived, it was so chaotic. I fell in love with Paris and London, and other cities, in an instant. But Rome, while beautiful and historical and all the things I love on paper…just didn’t do it for me as much. I would love to go back and give it a second chance. Maybe Rome deserves a full week at least. I am happy to give it the benefit of the doubt. 🙂
Casey Martin says
That’s exactly how I feel … I’d like to try the city again someday and do it differently.