I know that I don’t leave Rome for the UK for another 4 days, but
with Valentine’s Day tomorrow and then the weekend, I may not have time
to write this before I leave and I want to give my honest, real thoughts
as I sit here in the comfort of the Eternal City.
There are so many thoughts that run through my head on a daily basis
when I walk the streets, clean the apartment…they range from the obvious
to the ridiculous but they all bring me back to the same thing – Rome
is where I want to live. As I walked back from Termani today after a
lovely day with a friend, I rattled 3, 50 cent coins I had saved for the
Metro in my coat pocket and a lump formed in my throat. I never thought
that the Euro would be my currency – besides all things, I’m loyal to
my English roots…I’m proud to be English and always will be and I will
miss my pennies and pounds! It’s a strange thought that I am sure only
those who have walked in my shoes will understand. Missing a currency
sounds ridiculous, but its another part of the whole process for me;
it’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
People I have met here that I am proud to call my friends are very
supportive and encouraging of my plans. Talking about it today it became
obvious to me that I like to set myself challenges; I like to
accomplish things I don’t believe I can. For example, I am taking my
Dad’s advice and deciding to drive my little English Mini (cats
included!) to Rome when I make the move. Why? Well, it saves me £1500 on
flights and its
not the easy option – it’s the
challenging option. Me, two cats and as much of my life as I can squeeze
into the Mini on a 17hour, two-day drive across 4 countries? Sure,
easy! But, its something I would never get the opportunity to do…if this
move wasn’t happening, I would never do it, and that makes it
appealing.
So, back to Rome. This city bewitches me. I am head over heels in
love with it. Today, as I walked to the Metro, I walked down Via dei
Fori Imperiali, the main road that leads to the Coliseum, and in the
bright winter sunshine, I couldn’t have been happier. I could drink in
the view of my most favourite monument, surrounded by ancient history
and I felt at home. OK, when I live here, I won’t be in such a central
location…sure, I dream of living in one of the gorgeous, pastel coloured
palazzos in the historic centre, so do most Romans (I’ll be north, in
Nomentana!) but knowing I can get on the Metro, and a few stops later I
can see the wonders of central Rome, makes me feel very happy inside.
Live here? Sure, in my dreams!
The language is a challenge, but I will take it on! I have lessons
booked right up until I leave and I think that living here and living
the language will be the best way to learn! And I simply can’t wait!
So, I think the easiest way to rate my two weeks here and the effect
its had on my plans to make Rome my home is a good, old-fashioned ‘out
of 10′!
- The city – 9/10
- The people – 10/10
- The food – 8/10 (I LOVE Italian food but pasta/pizza/gelato are not
good for my waistline, hence a gym for my arrival has been found!
- Shopping – 7/10 (Yes, Italy is the home of Prada, D+G and Zara, but sometimes a girl needs a one-stop Sainsburys shop!)
As I sit here and look forward to my last 4 days in this wonderful
apartment in this city I will soon call home, I am a mix of emotions.
Will I miss my family and friends back in the UK? Yes, more than I can imagine.
Will it be scary to start a whole new life in another country? Scary, no…exciting, yes!
Will I be devastated that I have to leave Rome again in 4 days?
Yes! These past 2 weeks have meant a lot to me in a lot of different
ways. It will be sad to say goodbye again, but I am comforted by the
thought that the next time I return, it’s possibly forever! There is a
lot to do between now and when I set off for Rome again and I am sure
that the time will go too fast, but I feel an overwhelming excitement
inside me when I think that the next time I write from Rome, I’ll be
calling it home…
Terrified? Yes!
Excited? Even more so!
Ciao for now,
Nina x
