It’s been two and a half weeks since I arrived at home, and I’ve enjoyed every minute. The four essential Fs (Friends, Family, Fun, and Food) have been pleasingly prevalent, and it’s been great to enjoy them and all of the other things I missed about the States during my semester abroad. It’s been like a vacation from a vacation, if that’s a possibility.
But all vacations must come to an end. For me, this means going back to Wofford for a new semester. While I’m eager to get back into the groove, I still can’t help but look behind me as I see my three and a half months in Rome fade into the distance, and feel a little empty. Here I am, enjoying all of the comforts of home that I couldn’t while I was away, and nevertheless, I find myself to be quite bored with it all. Since everything is so comfortable, there’s not the constant sense of adventure that empowered me while I was abroad. For me, the culture, history, and people that I experienced in Rome is so much richer than what’s around me right now, but I guess that’s just me being used to my home. I think it’s going to be hard to go back to the “normal life” of school and work after having such an amazing excursion, but I’m ready to take on the challenge.
Yeah, I miss Rome already. The good part about leaving it, though, is that I know I’ll be back. I don’t know whether this will happen five months or five years or five decades from now, but the connection that I established with the Eternal City will draw me back one day. I left a piece of myself in Rome, I think. But with this post, it’s time to say my final “ciao” as I sign off once last time. It was an important word for me during the semester, as basic as it is, and I find myself still using it a little too much.
The great thing about the Italian word “ciao” is that it not only means “goodbye,” but it also means “hello.”
Ciao, Roma, and I look forward to the day that I can say that to you once again. Be a good little city while I’m gone.
