First Impressions-By Zeyad

Zeyad and a few fellow travelers enjoy the Roman Forum. 

​         When we arrived in Italy, we immediately noticed the obvious transition from Seattle to Rome. This evident shift included a wide variety of tourists from several different countries, including Russia, New Zealand, Australia, France, and England. We also recognized the humid climate, the crazy drivers on the streets and their reluctance to follow the rules, as well as Latin inscriptions and signs that we were able to read through our knowledge that we have learned from our fearless leader, Trevor, thus far. As we drove to Casa La Salle, I couldn't help but notice the two-story McDonald's on the side of the street, the size of a grocery store. That isn't something you see every day in Seattle.

​As we pulled up to Casa La Salle, most of us were quite surprised by its small size. However, once we walked inside, we realized how homey and welcoming it was, which gave us a sneak peek of the hospitable nature in Rome. After setting down our luggage and waiting until we came up with a plan for dinner, we decided to eat in the hotel, where we walked down a hallway and into a room. We were then greeted by a waiter, who had set up two tables specifically for our group. On these tables, there were plates of veal cutlets, al dente pasta, and pizza. This was probably the best food I have ever been served at a hotel. I was grateful that we were able to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine on our first night in Italy. It was very nice to be able to rest and dine on a tasty dinner after having travelled for roughly thirteen hours that day. As we walked up to our rooms and prepared to get some rest, we couldn't help but think about what else Rome has in store for us.