pedestrian bridges while our gondolier softly whistled the melody of “ That ’ s Amore ” as his oar plunged into brisk , blue ocean waters .
We explored the maze of narrow , colorful streets from San Polo to San Marco and discovered hidden gems of Venezia .
We found the best gelateria in the square called San Giacomo dell ‘ Orio .
We sat in the patio of a pizzeria right along the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge , where its ocean waves spilled over onto my toes each time the boats traveled to and fro .
We crossed the Ponte degli Scalzi and meandered amongst small shops entirely dedicated to handcrafted Murano glass , Venetian masks or even leatherbound journals and feathered quills .
When we greeted the shopkeepers with a “ Ciao ,” we were always met with an eagerness to share their culture and craftsmanship . Then it was time for our final city – Rome . We quickly learned that the city of Roma held seemingly unfathomable history . Only weeks before , we were amazed at the sight of castles built in the 11th century , but as we walked amongst the Roman Forum , which was founded in the 7th century BC , our eyes were opened to truly ancient times .
However , I began to notice the ways these resilient ruins represented the past and still the present of the Roman people .
Wildflowers grew amongst the rubble of the palace of Augustus on Palatine Hill .
Pride flags waved around the Colosseum as a celebration for the LGBTQ + community was underway at the Piazza del Colosseo .
A newlywed couple eloped at the beautiful Trevi Fountain beneath the statue of Neptune .
I met the “ gattare ,” or cat ladies of Rome , who took care of a colony of over 100 stray cats that found refuge in the Largo di Torre Argentina , which is the very site where Julius Caesar was betrayed and killed in 44 BCE .
Then it was time for our last Europe experience .
Nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming awe I felt as I tried to take in the immaculate frescoes of Michelangelo within the Vatican ’ s Sistine Chapel .
Jalyn and I sat in silence as our eyes attempted to take in every detail from the “ Last Judgement ” that covered the west wall up to the Sistine Ceiling where the stories of Genesis held the “ Creation of Adam ” in its center .
Then a priest approached the mic beneath the “ Last Judgement ” and in a soft voice invited the spectators to join in a prayer , which he repeated in many different languages .
The prayer was a powerful reminder to me of the strength in such diversity , and yet the connecting omnipresence that is our humanity .
Jalyn and I then sat at the steps of our last gelateria where we watched the strength of the Roman sun begin to fade .
It seemingly whispered to us , “ It ’ s time to go home .”
When I left Europe , I took with me the sight of Ireland ’ s Cliffs of Moher . The sound of Scottish bagpipes along the Royal Mile . The feeling of cobblestone streets in quaint market towns of England . The taste of pink “ framboise ” macarons beneath the Eiffel Tower . The smell of saltwater and carbonara from Venice .
More importantly , when I arrived back in Kentucky , I knew Europe would always be where I discovered not only new places but a new version of myself .
� The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris , France on June 5 , 2022 .
� A man fills the air with bubbles for children to chase outside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris , France on June 5 , 2022 .
Photos by Olyvia Neal
� A view of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge in Venice , Italy on June 8 , 2022 .
� A view of the Roman Forum from Palatine Hill in Rome , Italy on June 11 , 2022 .
September 2022 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 39