Our second day in Rome began with our first (or fifth, depending on how you look at it) day of class. We began by learning about some of the lesser-known details of Christianity which was both unexpected and welcome.

In International Relations we separated into our UN groups to work on resolutions and form committees with our classmates.

After class and lunch at the pleasant cafe at the University our day consisted of going to the Grocery store down the street, touring the Castel di San’Angelo, climbing the dome of St. Peter’s, visiting St. Peter’s Basilica itself, and wandering through the night market, all of which made for an exhausting, yet well-rounded day. The history surrounding the Castel San’Angelo was long, exciting, and varied.

We learned about famous prisoners, the Pope and the formation of the Swiss guard, and how the Castle was often the go-to siege tower when Rome was attacked.

We were even able to see a catapult and large round stones that were once the heads of statues but were chopped off to use as projectiles to defend the Castle.

Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s was three times as rewarding, as it was exhausting. After the trek from the Castle we entered Vatican City (passing from one country into another) walked through the courtyard, rode the elevator, and climbed 300+ stairs to reach the top and obtain one of the most stunning views I will ever have the ability to experience. You can see Rome spread out for miles all around you. Lining the distance in all directions are the blue ridges of great mountains rising above the cityscape.

I saw the street our hotel was on, the Castel San’Angelo, the Colosseum, the audience hall of the Pope, and all of Vatican City.

When our group started to head back down I couldn’t believe it. However I would learn the painful lesson that in Rome there is everything to see and no time to see it, and so eventually we were forced to climb down.

As difficult as it was to leave the Dome, our next stop was even more so. There are many things to describe within St. Peter’s Basilica, there are many ways to describe them, and there are many ways to react to them, but there is truly only one thing common to each experience: you will be overwhelmed. Every surface is beautiful. Every aspect humbles you. Every sight awes you. You are made tiny by the architecture. You are made insignificant by the art. The experience works to pull you into the hands of a greater power, something so inexplicable and omniscient that I could have spent years there gaping up at every mosaic, charting the location of every sunbeam, photographing every carving and still be no closer to comprehending the place.

Walking through the Basilica I imagined myself as one of the security guards, working there day after day for hours on end, trying to detach myself from the overwhelming nature of the place-it didn’t work. The fifteen minutes spent there were nearly enough to convert me.

Leaving the Basilica felt like exiting a dream- like waking up to the sound of your alarm before class. The real world is outside and will never enter that place, the strength of the vision is too strong. After leaving the Basilica, seeing the Swiss Guard, eating dinner, and walking to the night market, I realize how distinct the division between being inside and being outside has become. Sacred and profane.

Whatever experience one has within the Basilica, it isn’t likely to leave them anytime soon. I couldn’t stop thinking about the place all day. Even now, the sheer ingenuity involved in designing such a masterpiece is blowing my mind. The realm of human experience is truly enlightened by this achievement. Though I expected to feel this again and again in Rome, I know this instance in particular will stay with me always. I have never so highly revered the accomplishments of the human race.