RxSw-Part Three - By Guest Blogger E.O.

 "Buon giorno!" I yelled out the window of our Roman apartment in the Trastavere down to Tess who was helping Hannes navigate his parking spot. "Buon giorno!" Tess finally yelled back after she had realized it was me doing the yelling.  I ran down the stairs to greet both of them with big hugs. We were all so excited this moment was finally occurring!
It had been a long day...I had awoken at 3:30am in the Travel Lodge in Phoenix to catch my flight to Rome. There had also been a 5 hour layover in New York. Juliano, who is a friend Tess and Hannes knew from the Camino had met up with me prior to their arrival and even with an espresso, I was fading fast and felt so bad for not being the best company. Luckily, once they had settled in a bit we all realized we were famished and very much looking forward to our first Roman meal; which of course did not disappoint. After that, we settled in for a quick nap and a shower. Past that point, the energy of this beautiful city easily kept me awake.
On our second night there, we met up with a local friend of a friend. He treated us to espresso, then took us out to a cozy wine bar. After that, we popped into an awe inspiring church for a second and then he invited us to small club where his friend's band was playing classic Italian songs from the 50's. It was somewhere between the church and the club that I came to the realization that my faith in humanity was beginning to grow stronger with every step.

I'm presently writing this from the most beautiful B&B tucked within the rolling hills of the Umbrian country-side. The view from my window is that of vineyards and cypress trees and it is absolute and obvious perfection. To find beauty in a place that is man-made on the other hand can be a bit more daunting. The streets of Rome are narrow and roughly cobble-stoned, the ochre colored city lights cling onto the buildings on which their attached as if to only confirm that neither is interested in moving out of the century from when they were originally built. The marble fountains of water you'll find coming from a building on random street corner, the frescoes on the ceiling of a building that is not on any tourist map, the way bicyclists ring the bell on their Peugeot's before passing you by...all these examples happen to be things that I found to be just as incredible as the natural vista from my window. The fact that they still exist brought me to a place mentally that felt a lot like being in love. It's interesting to think of how love and faith are so connected.
Which brings me to my final thought on my time in Rome. Out of all the man-made sights I was able to appreciate; I will have to say that the most awe-inspiring scene was the way Tess and Hannes looked and acted around each other. Just like a city, they could be a bit gross at times (with all the making-out they did) but what was most noticeable was the love they both have in each other and how with that, perhaps faith in everything you see all around you becomes a bit easier to find.

Thanks to both of them for allowing me to crash their honey-loon for a few days and I wish nothing but the best for you both on your amazing new life together!