Eric Danner – Junior Mechanical Engineering Student

Today Rome finally set in… Upon waking and opening up my balcony window, I was met with pouring rain, a beautiful sight as compared to snow! I rejoined with my group from the previous night and trudged through the rain to the high-end shopping district of Trevi. I did not find any items to purchase, however, I found the best traditional Gelato shop! I was able to sit and have a cappuccino and try the vanilla gelato (Amazing!). While we sat and enjoyed our treats, live music poured up the street, complete with a man singing acoustic Metallica. Continuing with the theme of water, my group and I decided to adventure underground in the Trevi district. We were able to go below the street level down a staircase and check out the hidden aqueducts that fed the city from below. At the site, we saw the original stone foundations of the homes that stood here thousands of years ago. Additionally, the aqueducts that flow to the nearby trevi fountain and their storage reservoirs are found deep below the city at this site. It was fascinating to see how the new and modern city was built right on top of ancient Rome. A complex network of I-Beams and trusses allow the modern high-rise apartment buildings, restaurants, and shops to exist above. Finally, my group and I ventured back to the Castel Sant’Angelo and stood by the Tiber River. We watched the sun engulf the bridges connecting the Tivoli to Prati and the St. Peter’s basilica and its statue-lined driveway while two amazing musicians played on the shore. Overall, today was an excellent day full of culture, learning experiences, and new friendships!

Best,

Eric Danner