All in all, I would have to say that the last day was my favorite. To choose a favorite day out of our trip is a pretty heavy task when one considers all that we did. I have seen so much culture, art, and architecture. I have been taken out of my element and exposed to a new language and an entirely new way of life. I feel more knowledgeable and yet still more naive than ever have after experiencing all of it. I am not the same person that I was, and I am enormously grateful for it.

The reason I enjoyed our Monday so much was because we were able to take in Rome for ourselves. It was always pleasant having a tour guide speak to you about minute details that otherwise probably would have gone unnoticed, but sometimes it is good to separate yourself from the little things and experience life from a distance.  The morning was nice, the groups split off and we were able to do the remainder of our souvenir shopping for family members.

Although we stayed primarily amongst the tourist shops, it was easy to see the Roman culture. The city is, for what is probably my 800^th time saying it, so beautiful.

After our morning outing, we visited the park at Villa Borghese. I always love visiting the parks within cities. Although Rome is not a particularly hectic place, there is still that element of chaos versus serenity that seems to make your experience all the more enjoyable. I think either visiting that park or seeing the town of Frascati later that evening was the most pleasant of all our trips.

Frascati was gorgeous. It encompasses every one of your preconceptions of Italy. The town is made up of small, interconnected alleyways on a mountain that overlooks the city of Rome. My favorite shopping was actually in Frascati. It was a bit non-traditional in comparison to the Roman and Florentine markets and high-class stores. Being in a place like that, you cannot help but think of all that you must have taken for granted in your life.

There are people who live in Frascati and walk right by that breathtaking view every day of their lives and probably rarely get to appreciate it in the way we do.

Reflecting on my journey to Italy, I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a different sense of who I am. I also have a new appreciation for people. I have always been amazed at the cultural achievements of humanity, but I have never been faced with the paramount of them directly. As you would expect, experiencing that is overwhelmingly humbling. Strangely, something about it also makes you feel like anything is in your power. You might never be able to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or build the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, but no one can impede your pursuit of achieving the goals you have established. Look at all that has been accomplished before you. If that can exist, just imagine what is in store for the future.

Reflection of trip to Italy and watching the boys row… sort of.  (Video, please view!)