Temple University Athletics
Phil Bartocci Blog: July 8
7.10.08 | Football
Junior Phil Bartocci (Scranton, Pa.) studied abroad during the first summer session at Temple's campus in Rome. During his time in Italy, the wide receiver shared his adventures (and photos) with Owl fans in a weekly blog. This is his final blog.
July 8, 2008
Ciao friends!
I am back home in America, and now it is back to reality. My trip of a lifetime has just ended, and it is all a little bit sad. I have been receiving e-mails and facebook messages telling me to enjoy my time there, because once I am gone, there will not be a day that goes by that I don't think about my trip. Well, those people were absolutely right. It all feels weird not going next door to Fabio's to get a slice of pizza then hitting up the open air market to buy food for the night. I made a lot of new friends while I was in Rome, and it is different not seeing them everyday. But now I know that we all have that one thing in common, and that no matter where I see any of them, we will always be able to share something that was very special in our lives.
Rome is one of those places that everyone should have a chance to see in their lifetime, especially all Americans! This city, although it is enormous, is so laid back. I feel that everywhere I went in Italy is more laid back than any place in the states. The culture is different and, in general, it is just so much more relaxing than America. Also I am so glad that I lived in such a residential area with almost no tourists. Rome is so big, and filled with tourists that sometimes people get annoyed with so many people asking questions. So having lived in an area where we were the only tourists was great, because everyone was so nice and willing to help us. Also, I have learned that if you are very passionate while talking to Italians, they will go out of their way to do anything and everything to help you.
There are so many things that I am going to miss about Italy. From the laid back culture, the gelato, the pizza, and the food in general to the people and the sights and the architecture. I am going to miss just sitting by the Pantheon outside having a beverage. Italy really has no drinking age, and people are allowed to just have a drink in public, because it is their culture, and they don't drink to get drunk. Italians are raised on wine when they are young, so they have been drinking all their lives and it never really becomes an issue because they have already been exposed to it. Can you imagine if America was like that? I don't ever see that happening and for good reason. Kids these days aren't responsible enough to be able to handle alcohol while they are still in high school. That would just be insane! But at the same time you only have to be 18 to fight a war in our country but you have to be 21 to have a drink. I hope if someone is able to fight a war that they would be able to handle a drink!
I am going to miss walking from class and seeing monuments that have been there since the first century AD. It is funny, because when you think of Philadelphia, you think of the birthplace of America and how historic it is. I mean how cool is that, Philly used to be the capital of America back when our country first got started. And then you go to Rome, and you realize that you are in the capital of the ancient world. Now that is just impressive! I have realized that this world is a humongous place with so much to do and see in it, and that maybe before this trip I was ignorant to the world outside of America. I recommend that everyone travel to Europe and see the world during your lifetime. You don't even have to travel to Europe, but just go somewhere. America is the land of the free, and the country of opportunity, but we were all originally from somewhere else. So it is good to know where you come from and why were all arrived at our great country.
I know that as soon as I graduate, I am going to try my hardest to make a trip back over to Europe and explore more. I had the time of my life over there, and I will never forget it. This trip will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I still think about it every day. Seriously though, how cool is it to say that I lived in Rome for six weeks? No one can take that from me, and I know that was a once and a lifetime opportunity.
Ok, so maybe I didn't make it in "Angels and Demons" or "When in Rome" but I still got to see Tom Hanks and Ron Howard, and I got a picture with Will Arnett and Dax Shepard and that is better than most. Although my movie career will have to wait a few years (haha), I leave Rome with a new goal: to do whatever I can to make my way back over there! I mean I threw my coins in the Trevi Fountain and according to the legend, one coin means that I will return back to Rome. I sure hope that it is true!
So my time is done, and the trip of a lifetime has ended, and now it is back to the real world. Again I want to thank Coach Golden and the whole staff, because they were so supportive of the entire trip. To be honest, I wouldn't have been there if it weren't for them. So thanks again! And for everyone who read the blog, I hope I somewhat kept you all entertained. This was a great and different experience for me, and I thank everyone for their questions and comments. BUT most of all I have to thank the best media relations director in the world--Cathy-- for keeping in touch with me basically on a daily basis while I was in Rome and working with me to make the blog and pictures as good as they can be! So thanks, Cathy, you're the best!
It has been great and who knows, maybe I will be writing to all of you again someday.
Thanks for reading.
Ciao!
Phil
