FINALLY IN ROME by ALEX KETT (2008)
I GAZE OUT FROM WHERE I SIT. Perched high on a hotel rooftop, my gaze roams across a vast, turbulent sea of tiles that stretches out to the horizon. The terracotta swells, each crest flecked with a spray of television aerials, swirl and flow around the towering marble outcrops of great buildings. Islands of calm, amidst chaos. The deep rumble and whine of countless traffic and conversations drift upwards, carried on the gentle breeze that cools the sun-soaked terrace. The city below is alive, pulsing with humanity.
So we are finally in Rome. John Hall 2008 in the eternal city. The place where it all began, and now must end.
Our lecturers 'buzzword' for Rome was "theatre". A more apt expression of the city you could not find. The beautiful city is exciting whether you are in its midst or simply an observer passing by. Here you can see life carried out as an art form in its own right. The course captures this well with a perfect combination of visits, long (massively enjoyable) meals, and free time. With boundless nightlife and culture on tap in such an incredible environment, this week was a practical lesson in 'carpe diem'. One of the most memorable weeks of the course, the Rome week is a must do.
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