Santa Marinella Photo Journal

5/20/18

Some friends and I took a day trip to the coast of Italy at the Santa Marinella beach, just a quick train ride from Rome. The views from the window were exactly what you would picture the Italian countryside to look like with farms and villas and overflowing greenery. We didn’t really know what to expect, but the beach and the town itself did not disappoint ! 

We walked a block or two from the tiny train station to the pink boardwalk full of local Italians, palm trees, and food. For a second, I almost felt like I was in South America. The vibe here was totally different than in Rome. 

The water was surprisingly clear and blue, and the fine sand was free of rocks and shells. Out in the water were strips of rocks that people would swim out to, climb, and stand on. I really love the second photo with the brightly colored umbrellas. It was seriously such a perfect day. 

Santa Marinella appeared to be the type of summer vacation town that would be the setting in an indie romance movie. Every building was cute and colorful. Only a few people spoke a little English, and you could tell this really was not a tourist spot. I think this is part of the reason why I enjoyed it so much.

Of course, there had to be a little gelato break from tanning in the hot sun. (I got dark chocolate and rocher~YUM)

The mountains were visible creating the perfect landscape. Italy never ceased to impress me ! 
Overall, I’m really glad I took the time to take a train adventure, explore, and see the coast. 

Rome Photo Journal

My trip to Rome was one of the best weeks and trips of my life !

I couldn’t stop looking out at the view from my window. It was so picturesque and pretty serene to say it was in the city. I loved the rooftop gardens that seemed to be everywhere and the bright colors of the buildings. 

I really liked this statue on the fountain at Piazza Navona that looks like he can’t quite get his shirt over his head. (I think it’s Bernini but don’t quote me on that) 

Ah, yes the oh-so-famous Trevi Fountain was truly STUNNING in person and actually massive. However, I totally wasn’t expecting it to be smack-dab in between tiny streets, but, nevertheless, I still felt like I was living in the Lizzie McGuire movie. 

Seeing the Papal Audience was way cool. The amount of people there in awe, no matter what beliefs we all had, was really a special moment. btw papa francesco was ADORABLE. 

Some Roman streets

And, of course, the Colosseum. Honestly, it wasn’t as big as I was expecting. It is was still insanely impressive for the time, beautiful, and made you think about how even through so many years we still have and build arenas for enjoyment today. People aren’t so different now as we sometimes think. 

This was at Piazza Venezia in front of this hugeee monument known as the “birthday cake of Rome”. We just happened to stumble upon it as we turned a corner and truthfully had no idea of its existence before that lol. I couldn’t believe how big it was; after that, I couldn’t stop seeing it every time I looked at the skyline. The area surrounding it had such pretty architecture. 

This is the Laocoon by Michelangelo, one of my favorite sculptures at the Vatican Museums. Just look at the emotion on his face- it’s incredible (and somehow carved out of a ROCK may I remind you, like wow). Renaissance art is amazing and knowing the history from class made me way more interested in it. 

This is one of the many bridges in Rome crossing the Tiber. Each one was unique and had different statues and carvings. The river bank was always popping with people and excitement and was one of my favorite places to be. 

This was one of the breathtaking views from Villa Borghese, a park. You could see St. Peter’s (and tens of other churches), the “birthday cake”, and other cute buildings. This made me realize how the buildings in Rome are not very tall, but still gorgeous and nothing like any other city I had been to before. Gazing at the view was something I could have done for hours. 

Roma has a piece of my heart. 

Ciao for now !

California Playlist

The start of a new series of playlists that I have created. Today is the first actually warm day this year and I’m laying out on the grass listening to these songs and inspired to post them! 

This playlist is compiled of songs that for some unknown reason remind me of California or have that West Coast-skate boarding-night time-driving by the ocean-calfs hurting from climbing hilly SF-vibe. (I have no idea what I’m saying at this point, but my imagination is wild and if you listen to these songs you will strangely understand what I’m saying) 

A list of pure BOPS: 

1. Loving is Easy- Rex Orange County 

2. Salad Days- Mac DeMarco 

3. Dopamine- BøRNS 

4. Chamber of Reflection- Mac DeMarco 

4. Feels like We Only Go Backwards- Tame Impala 

5. The Beach- the Neighbourhood

6. Driving to Hawaii- Summer Salt 

7. Nothing- Rex Orange County 

8. Warm Thoughts- Flume 

9. 12:51- The Strokes