I absolutely cannot believe that I leave Rome in less than two weeks! But I can't say I wasn't warned... I mean, everyone I've ever know who went abroad told me (more than once), that it was going to a) be the best time of my life, and, b) it was going to feel like only the blink of an eye. Personally, I think that was a bit of an understatement. Either way, knowing that it's all slipping away from me, day by day, I'm certainly beginning to appreciate all the wonderful things I've seen and done thus far.
Anyway, on March 20 the heads of our program organized a little day trip for us to get out and see the Roman countryside -- a bit of an escape from work and classes and the noisy din of our wonderful city to visit the Ninfa Gardens and have lunch at a nearby vineyard. I hadn't even planned to go until a few days before, when, realizing that I was not going to be able to travel that weekend, I asked Francesco to add me to the list. I actually got one of the last slots, and lucky me that I did.
So on Saturday morning I woke up bright and early with about 35 of my fellow TCRC members, with no idea of what the day would bring. But in the end it brought gorgeous weather and a slight sunburn to show for it, good company, oceans of flowers in bloom, ordered chaos, a bit too much wine, and, well, let's just say any and all expectations I ever could've had were far surpassed. In short, it left me (believe it or not) utterly speechless. And since I couldn't possibly explain to you how beautiful and inspiring my day was, I'll stick to the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" and let them speak for themselves.
Honestly, it may look like something straight out of Jane Austen ... or perhaps Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream ... but it was so much more than that. So, as I heave a monumental sigh to think that already so much time has passed between now and then, between now and the beginning of this semester, between now and when I first decided to come to Rome, I remember...
"GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying : And this same flower that smiles to-day To-morrow will be dying." - Robert Herrick