roma on my owna

Eight in the morning couldn’t have come quicker, but I was glad to get out of the hostel. I started with my destination being the colliseum. Two hours later I made it there(really only 20 minutes from the hostel if you don’t get lost). Getting lost was the theme of the day today. I tried my hardest to get as lost as I could, and find the pumping heart of rome. I wanted to find the veins, the hands, the people and places that were hidden away from all the tourists. I found a lot and also managed to stumble across a ton of huge monuments as well. Late afternoon I attempted to find a vegan restaurant called arianca blu. It looked wonderful online and I was excited to see my option here in rome. I noticed the people on the streets started to disappear as I walked on, and the graffiti was getting bigger and meaner, the smell of trash was increasing and the bass in the air was pounding harder. Trash was everywhere but I was determined to find this place. As I was walking down the street of the address I had written down, I started to realize that this place was probably not open. I was 4 doors away, 3 doors, 2 doors and there it was. The metal door was rolled up but the lights were off. I pulled on the door, almost as if I was seeking refuge from the scary street, the door opened. The chairs were stackd on the tables and it was dark. I peeked around and saw a man sitting, staring at me. I’m not even sure why, but I asked anyway, “are you open?” Hmmmmm, I wonder what he said. NO. It took me a bit to get out of that neighborhood, but I made it. Im still alive but still really hungry. I gave in a just had some marinara pizza and went for a seat on the street. Nine hours of walking and 2 failed attempts at vegetarian restaurants, my calves were screaming at me to stop. I had a slow meal for dinner, the way the romans do and by myself. Lots of wine, yummy wine. Here I am online again…..meeting up with class tomorrow. Familiar faces, unfamiliar places.

-lyndsey