Wander & Wonder: Short stories on the road I.

Welcome to a new series where, with the goal of writing purely for enjoyment, you will travel with me to new places. Whether it’s to foreign countries like today (lucky me!) or just a walk around the block, it doesn’t matter. The objective here is to journey together, from the outside world to the inside of my mind.

This first post is like a dream come true: today, we will take a passeggiata (that’s “stroll” in Italian, by the way) through the small and beautiful streets of Rome. This amazingly old city is a labyrinth of ups and downs, beautifully preserved ruins, and churches - oh, so many churches! This city feels like a sepia-toned photo, frozen in a time of columnatas and statues. You might wonder how I ended up here, and the story, I dare say, comes with a bit of embarrassment.

The Passport Doesn’t Make the Citizen.

I’ve had my Italian passport for more than 10 years now. It’s a privilege passed down from my dad’s grandparent, as is often the case with many Latinos. Someone, long ago, decided it was a good idea to pack their few belongings in a suitcase and travel weeks by sea to start a new life - or maybe escape the old one. And now we, their great-grandchildren, pack our own suitcases and travel the other way around.

I always thanked my dad for enduring the ordeal of getting this passport, especially because of how easy it makes traveling to different countries. But I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never felt the need to get to know the land of my ancestors. Whenever we played the “What would your ideal Eurotrip be like?” game, I always started with England, maybe Germany or Scotland. The Northern lands, let’s say. Italy was never part of the plans - not because of anything in particular but simply because of a lack of curiosity.

This changed at the beginning of 2024 when my parents announced their trip, and I thought: Why not join them? I had just a few days to spare (oh, the old office me), so I decided to tag along for the last leg of the tour: the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. And, thanks to beloved airline logistics, I had a quick stop in Rome.

Paseando por Roma.

(This is the title of a song by the Argentinian band Soda Stereo. Check it out here!)

Months turned into weeks, and before I knew it, I was on a long flight to the land of my passport, finally to be used accordingly. I arrived in Rome on a Saturday afternoon for a one-and-a-half-day extravaganza. You cannot imagine how many people were there - it seems like we all had the same idea.

After a quick shower to shake off 24 hours of travel, I decided to take my first look at the city in the trendiest neighborhood: Trastevere. On a Saturday night, with an endless stream of tourists, the atmosphere was electric. Trastevere is a mix of trattorias, small and intricate streets, and the feeling of freedom that only a few Aperols can give you. It was a perfect start to the adventure.

Day two (or one in full, if we are getting technical) was the one that changed everything, with a 26 km walk to prove I did my best to see ALL of Rome. One of the things I enjoy most about traveling alone (I was meeting my parents two days later in Sorrento) is the opportunity to put on headphones and wander with music. It’s amazing how the right song can enhance the environment, creating a memory you can relive whenever you hear it again.

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day, but I Definitely Tried to Walk It in One.

Exploring Rome made me realize how mistaken I was for not being interested in Italy before. It was also the first time I felt like my passport really meant something. There’s so much to absorb - fountains, statues, paintings, and hidden corners dating back to the Roman Empire.

But for me, it was the language and the people. Italians speak LOUDLY, moving their hands as if in constant argument. Look closer, though, and you see they’re not arguing, but feeling. Italians feel everything, and their language transmits that passion and energy in vivid color. If you understand even a bit of Italian (thanks, Duolingo! This isn’t an ad, but it could be. Call me, Lily the bird!), they feel close and familiar. Because who else talks loudly and gestures so much? We Argentinians, of course.

By the end of the day, after immersing myself in the streets, colors, and sounds of Rome, I knew I wanted to come back someday - hopefully with more time so my knees don’t feel the kilometers like they did this time. To everyone who insisted Italy should be on my to-do list, I want to say you were right and I was completely and happily wrong.

The Start of the Adventure.

Rome was just the beginning of a trip full of adventures and laughter. Visiting so many places in such a short time can feel like a blur. That’s why I started writing - to take these memories out of my head and put them into words, making them more tangible and unforgettable.

There’s so much left to write about: the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the charm of Sicily, the experience of a midnight train, and the city where I thought: Hey, maybe I should live here! Thank my passport for that wild dream.

Hope you enjoyed the journey so far.

See you next time,

Ce.