Quando a Roma... ♥

I don't like Italians. For some reason, I feel intimated by them. I get a real sense of abruptness from the way they talk (even though I don't speak their language) and I find their nonchalant approach to life frustrating, particularly on the road. For them, normality is not caring that there are lanes painted. "I'm going to drive down the middle of the road, occasionally swaying onto the wrong side because I can't look at the road and text at the same time. I don't care whose right-of-way it is when I turn left and I am probably doing all this after a good few pints in town. Who's going to stop me?" Answer: nobody. It won't stop me adoring Rome as a city though. I've only been instantly blown away twice by a specific place; when I flew into Sydney over the harbour at dusk, and my first journey from Termini train station into Rome's centre.

I could easily live in Rome purely because of its architectural beauty, and that is not only concentrated on its popular tourist attractions. Of course I never cease to be overwhelmed when I visit St.Peter's, the Colosseum, the Vatican or the Pantheon; after all it is these magnificent buildings that really do boast the city's deep-rooted history. What really gets me though, is how Rome's impressive and unspoilt architecture extends through to even the smallest of streets. I know of no other place where, on your walk home, you can stumble accidentally across a 2000 year old tomb, or lose your way and end up on a Piazza in front of a building that looks grander than anything you'd come across in the UK, yet you have no idea of its name or purpose. I hated history at school, but I appreciate it in Rome because I can visualise the occurrence of historic events. Here's one of my favourite viewpoints at The Forum, where Julius Caesar was assassinated.

Silent City.

 I am really quite passionate about travel; I can safely say I will always be going places and money spent on travel is never money wasted in my opinion, regardless of how I feel about the place. I do enjoy the sun, sea, sand scenario but on a more personal and emotional level though, I am definitely a city girl. I discovered this first of all during my gap year when I spent a couple of months in Australia. I love the irony of a sense of total isolation in the busiest possible place. I was walking around London a few weeks ago with an old Uni friend who grew up there. "If you take the bus don't speak to the driver, people will think you're weird," she advised. This is totally different to where I grew up; a place where everyone knows everyone, and everyone is pretty much related to everyone too. I didn't find it rude in London though, like some could. I liked it. On the tube for example, I was surrounded by people yet still felt hidden (apart from the time I forgot to stand on the right on the escalator, but that's another story!). People never speak to each other and rarely make eye contact with each other. Not even to apologise for accidentally standing on your toe, or to say thank you for picking up the suitcase that rocked off its unsteady wheels and fell against the person standing opposite. It's not impolite, rather a way of life. I quite like the idea of not feeling obligated to make small-talk. I 'people-watch' often on the tube and imagine most commuters to be using the time to do their thinking. Actually, they're probably 'people-watching' also! Cities are crowded, expensive, time-consuming, impossible to park in and there's a distinct lack of fresh air. But the hustle and bustle really is beautiful.

  My favourite city (so far!) by a million miles is Rome. In fact, it deserves its own post...do read on. 

2010 so far...

A trip to Paris, a trip to Rome, an 8000word dissertation, a Linguistics degree, a move out of Brighton, a graduation, a god-daughter, a job trial...and more...

I think it's pretty safe to say that I will have squeezed a fair amount into 2010. I was under no preconceptions that this year was going to go at 100mph, and while people come out with the usual "I can't believe it's September already" line, I am in agreement, but by no means surprised.

My biggest achievement this year, and probably in my life so far, has got to be finishing University. And while my 2:1 looks great on paper, upstairs, still in its un-framed state: what now? It's the question on everyone's lips, the one I can't answer and I don't particularly care that I can't answer it. I made a mistake a few months ago when I threw copies of my CV out in every possible direction, down every possible avenue and into the hands of employers for whom I would rather scratch my own eyes out, than work. I'm not looking for complete job satisfaction at the first hurdle but I want to do something that I am reasonably happy doing. I'm not sure what that is yet and i'm perfectly happy figuring it out at my own pace.