325 Blog 2

This journal entry will discuss the idea that the city of Rome, while exhilarating, may also feel oppressive.
Rome is an amazing city. It is beautiful, historical, and full of culture. Above all, the city is unbelievably old. Everywhere you look there are ruins of an ancient empire. Even while riding the train into Rome, it is easy to spot old walls and remnants of structures spread throughout the country side. Any one of these structures is older than anything I have ever seen before coming to Italy.
The fact that the city is so incredibly old gives Rome a special charm. But the ancient aspect of the city can also give us grief. This is why Barzini explained that Rome’s charm is “fatal.” The city draws you in, but then it frustrates you. The old buildings are jammed together, making the roads tight and narrow. The roads are often not lined or marked, causing drivers to drive by their own rules. This forces anyone who is walking onto the tiny sidewalks which are always crowded. And there is no option but to walk a decent distance when you want to get somewhere. There are only two underground metro lines in the entire city. They have been building a third for many years, but they are constantly delayed because they run into more ruins while digging.
The old buildings and structures evoke emotions other than joy and wonder. The ancient city is beautiful, but it is full of ruins. Although the Colosseum is still spectacular, it is not nearly what it once was. Many of the walls have fallen, and it is no longer covered by marble as it was in the distant past. So despite the beauty and thrill of seeing something so old, it subconsciously leaves one wanting more.
Despite the frustrations of the city, I find that I have fallen victim to its “fatal charm.” I feel that the city is an addiction. Each day I am more excited to go into the city than the last. Yet once I am there for a while, I begin to look forward to coming back to campus to relax. It is as if I need to get into the city for my fix, and once I get it, I do not need anymore. But the next day I will be just as excited to enter the city.
In this way, Rome is exhilarating while at the same time oppressive. The city has an inexplicable pull, and it will not let you down. Every image seen in Rome is amplified to possess a special meaning. A woman cleaning her windows; a man waiting for the bus after a day’s work; or a simple sunset. Each moment will feel as if it was created perfectly for this day. However, the city may leave you with a feeling of emptiness. There is no reason for this feeling, or at least no apparent reason. But it is this feeling that makes Rome what it is.