While the past few posts have been about my travels and what adventures I’ve been on, it’s important to show my life inside of Rome as well. While traveling and doing a lot on weekends is certainly fun, the slow life I have on the weekdays (and the weekends where I don’t have flights to catch) are also just as rewarding.

To all of those who are reading this before going abroad, I must warn you that you will have some slow days, and while it may look like your peers always have something planned, it’s okay to take things slow and reflect on where you are in the present moment. Enjoy the simple things of your new life abroad.

My apartment rests on the corner of a botanic garden, which is beautiful in the morning, where the sun shines over the trees and birds chirp as my alarm clock. Even on rainy days, it’s beautiful with the sound of rain hitting the leaves and the fresh smell. On a particularly sunny day in Rome (after a week of rain or so), my friend/roommate Bri and I headed to the botanic garden to see what it housed and explore the lush gardens and trees. A small butterfly pavilion sat in the middle, to which I was ecstatic because butterflies are one of my favorite animals! We enjoyed butterflies flying around us, and the humidity in the pavilion. We also made a pact to come back in late March or April when its acceptable to finally wear skirts and dresses and take photos in the gardens with the butterflies.

On another slow day, Nicole, Abby, Danielle, and I went to the famous keyhole that overlooks the Vatican. With the keyhole plastered all over Pinterest and TikTok, we knew we needed to check it out for ourselves. The keyhole was exactly like the videos we had seen and had the most gorgeous lookout to the Vatican. With arches of trees covering the road, St. Peters Basilica stood in the center with a halo of light. While we tried to take photos of the sight, it was terribly difficult, and nothing could beat what we actually saw. After admiring the view, we started the walk back and came across a lovely little park with orange trees and artists painting and playing music. With the sun out and the warm weather, it was the perfect activity for a day where we had nothing else to do. I bought a beautiful watercolor of the Trevi fountain from a local artist at the park, which is a perfect souvenir with a memory to go along with it.

The slow days bring a certain beauty to life abroad and they help immerses yourself in the life of the city you’re living in. Take a few weekends to enjoy the city around you or explore the country you’re living in. If you’re always traveling to other places, you won’t truly get the experience of your life living abroad. I’ve loved having time to explore Rome and have the city take its imprint on me. Finding side streets and little markets is the perfect way to make the city your-own.

My favorite memories from my time abroad so far have been exploring Rome and its many different qualities and sides. I’ve loved being able to try so many different gelatos and pastries from little local shops, to finding cute streets to walk down, filled with vines, flowers, and bikes propped up on the buildings.

The Italian slow life has slowly seeped into my bones and made me appreciate taking the time to look around and exploring when I have “nothing to do.” While I still get annoyed when people walk slowly, I’ve been understanding how enjoyable life is when you stop, look around, and notice things many people have passed by. Beautiful flowers and plants on the top of buildings, artistic architecture of ancient Rome, and family-owned shops, all bring a certain beauty to Rome, and a beauty to slowing down and looking around. Even getting a cappuccino in the morning and people watching or spending hours at dinner with your friends, have made me appreciate life and my life here in Rome more.

I will continue to let the slow life influence me because I refuse to let this part of my life flash by, as Rome has taught me to enjoy every moment of this time. So, I will continue to look around, spend hours at dinner with friends, find new details in my everyday life, and maybe I’ll learn to walk a little slower, like the Italian do.

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