Katherine Rodriguez

It was my last day in Italy and I was all toured out so I just did what I do best – walk everywhere, unguided.

Rome is a great city to get lost in. Everywhere you turn, you’re greeted by a historic monument…or an Emilio Pucci.

Eduardo gave me the full lowdown of the Altare della Patria the night before. The city looks so different in the day and everything is so BIG.

One of the world’s most ancient “shopping centers” is Trajan’s Markets, which look like they are about to fall apart, but are remarkably well-preserved.

Then, I came across this famous structure!

At this point, my legs feel like jello and my lower back is killing me from all the walking throughout the trip. I see the Metro is right there, but I remember that Federica warned me that the Colosseum train line isn’t as nice as the one by my hotel. I look at the map and see I just need to be on the B line for 2 stops before I transfer onto my A line. I think to myself, “Eh. I’m from New York. Angela called me scrappy. I think I can manage being on a sketchy subway for 2 stops.” So, I guard my purse like my life depends on it and submerge into the metro. Waiting on the platform wasn’t so bad as it’s covered with tourists, and I stand there trying not to look like one of them. And then the train arrived and within a second, I see exactly what Federica was talking about. It looked like the 1 train pulled up from 1979 with the cast of The Warriors in it (come out and playyyyayyy). Obviously, I hop on.

I safely made it back to my hotel with no problems. Rome is much easier for me to get around compared to Florence. Go figure – put me in a city with a subway system and I’m golden.