Family Time in Rome, Christmas in Reggio Emilia, and Visit from Ivliani and Irantzu: Week 14

After classes on Thursday, I went to Rome with my family for a couple of nights before they went back to America.

The Colosseum is breathtaking no matter how many times you see it.

They hadn't explored the Roman Forum or Palatine Hill yet, so I went with them and got a greater understanding of various archeological wonders present. Plus, the views on Palatine Hill can't be beat.

This is the Temple of Romulus, which was built in 4 AD, and has the same doors that it had when it was first constructed.

This is the senate building, otherwise known as the Curia Julia, which is where Roman senators met. It was completed in 29 BC.

These are the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian, completed in 92 AD. Though it's called a stadium, it was actually a private garden and exercise area for the Emperor at the time.

This is within the Temple of Caesar, which is where Julius Caesar was cremated in 44 BC.

Speaking of Caesar, this is where he was stabbed to death in 44 BC. More specifically, he was stabbed in the Curia of Pompey, with its ruins in the Largo di Torre Argentina.

According to research my dad and I did, he should have been killed right around this area.

We also visited the Jewish Ghetto in Rome, which was established from 1555 - 1870. Pope Paul IV forced the Jews to live in a neighborhood close to the Tiber River, as this area was prone to flooding. Additionally, the Jews were given a curfew of when they were supposed to be back inside their neighborhood. For me, it is always so sad to learn about the dark history of the Jewish population, as well as the dark histories regarding discrimination and marginalization of any group of people.

This is a wall of symbols that represent Judaism and the history of the former ghetto.

This is the Great Synagogue of Rome and serves as a symbol of Jewish emancipation.

This is a Holocaust memorial plaque, recognizing the 1,023 Jewish individuals in the ghetto that were sent to the Auschwitz extermination camp. I still can't believe something as horrid as the Holocaust actually happened, but I think it is very important to learn about it to ensure that something like this never happens again.

We also had lots of dessert together, and, instead of gelato or strudel, I got flan. It was delicious.

I took them through the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

I missed this last time I went, but this is the resting place of Pope Francis, who served as pope from 2013 - 2025. May he rest in peace.

This is a wall I found pretty.

On our last night in Rome, we had a nice dinner, and I got my favorite...carbonara.

Though it was a long wait, it was worth it because the pasta was handmade! I'm glad I was able to spend this time with my family.

--

I came back to Reggio Emilia on Saturday, and the city turned decided that it was time to "start" Christmas!

They had a ceremony to light up the Christmas tree. Look how pretty it is.

At the lighting ceremony, there was also a group of singers, and they opened with MAMMA MIA, aka one of my most favorite songs ever. I had so much fun.

The winter markets in Reggio Emilia opened, too!

There is a stand selling apple strudel AND poppyseed. My bank account is in danger because this is only a 30 second walk from my apartment and I LOVE strudel and poppyseed.

First apple strudel in Reggio! It was DELICIOUS.

--

On Sunday, Ivliani and Irantzu, friends studying in Florence, visited me and it was so nice seeing them.

I showed them around Reggio Emilia and we were able to enjoy the weather in the park for a while.

At my apartment, we had bread, salami, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. It was SO good and SO filling.

We also walked around to look at the Christmas lights and go to the winter markets together.

There was another group of singers, which was nice.

I couldn't help myself from getting poppyseed. It was AMAZING and I am so glad I got to see Ivliani and Irantzu.