Rome via Brooklyn

289 words, 2 minute read time.

I really can’t get enough of these big Roman courtyards. Nature is so beautiful when you’re in the shade and looking at it from afar. Visiting this enormous bath complex had me thinking how Diocletian is dancing in his grave seeing how intimidated I am by these imposing structures in the 21st century.

The highlight of the day for me was definitely the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and Martyrs. I am very easy to please, I just need a pretty church to look at and I’m happy. I honestly could’ve spent a whole extra hour in there if we had more time in the day. I was amazed at the statues, especially the ones of Saint Theresa, but what really caught my eye was a depiction of Mary that looked like it didn’t fully belong there. I found myself staring at this very Orthodox-style icon of Mary, wondering how it ended up in a Catholic church. It just threw me off a bit (along with the terrifying man-baby Jesus), seeing a very Theotokos-like image in a Catholic environment.

Our next stop was a sight I’ve grown very familiar with in this class, a museum full of statues. Maybe it was because of how empty it was, but this particular museum had a bit of an ominous vibe. All of that negative emotion went away immediately though, upon seeing my favorite emperor, Augustus. I’ve grown quite fond of him and his insanity on this trip. I want to keep learning about him the same way you can’t look away from a car crash. What an absolute baby-faced menace.

–Nico Vila