Submitted by Alyssa Southard on the 2012 summer session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures…
This week began our final days in Sorrento. We watched the semi-finals for the Euro Cup, which was Italy versus Germany. When Italy won, the town went crazy. It was an amazing sight to see people walking on buses, fireworks going off, and all of the people gathering in the main piazza. The next day we had our final exam for Italian 107, and afterwards we went to lunch together at Pizzeria da Franco, which is supposed to be the best pizza place in Sorrento. There we also met a few of Professoressa Fazzone’s former students who were also visiting Italy. Our last day in Sorrento, we did the Walk of the Gods, which lasted 3 hours and we climbed 1600 steps just to arrive at the start of the path. It was a wonderful experience and allowed us to learn so much about nature and the history of the coast. The following day we went to Rome, and after arriving, we rested before beginning our walking tour. We saw the Trevi Fountain, where parliament is located, and many other important churches and buildings. Teh next day, we went to the Coliseum and the Forum. It was amazing, and I am still in awe that we were there. Our last group excursion was to the Vatican. The works of Michelangelo and others were breathtaking. Before returning to the United States, we had our farewell dinner in Rome. It was absolutely delicious. This was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.