During the International Relations class, we discussed about power and dominance internationally between countries, as well as made an extremely miniature mock UN and debated each of our country’s stances on global warming, which was quite interesting. Going back to power, one of the things we noted is that power changes between different peoples eventually, sometimes too much expansion and power actually weakens a nation. For example, since we are in Rome, it is an evident factor that contributes to that idea: power does not always stay with one, it shifts. At one point, the Roman Empire was the largest, most powerful country in the world. The Empire ran the world, trade, advancement, culture, etc. But eventually, it collapsed and lost power, and another country acquired the power that the Roman Empire once had.

Today, however, we embarked on one of the most exhausting, leg trembling, sweaty journeys ever. Yet, it was also one of the most breath-taking (literally and figuratively), astounding, utterly amazing thing ever. We climbed 551 steps up to the top of the St. Peter’s Basilica dome. The view was a reward in itself, making the climb worth the while. In that moment, all there is to do is take in this beautiful moment with an open and clear mind and note that there’s many people in this world who will never be able to experience it, it is indescribable. We also went to our first Gelateria in Italy, which as expected.. was AMAZING – both the gelato and the server 🙂 At night, we all shopped a little for really our first time, tested the waters on our haggling skills – which mine are obviously amazing, to say the least – bringing home our first Italian bought items 🙂