2014: Grad Tour Project
Group Members: Vivian, Melissa, German FIU Honors students were given the Grand Tour Project by professor John Bailey. The Grad Tour Project requires students to study the past in order to discover their contemporary selves. Just as the founders of the United States looked at Rome as a guide and artists studied the Renaissance for inspiration, students of the Honors College will reflect on their commonalities and differences with classical and Renaissance culture.
Rome is rich in ancient history and has an appreciation for art from different time periods. Trastevere is separated from the ancient ruins and main tourist sights, making it a lively area with a unique Italian cultural experience. The religious presence of the basilicas invites people to celebrate their catholic religion in a marvelous architectural design. You can discover some of Rome's first original restaurants that serve as an attraction to those who search for the full cultural experience. Many small businesses strive on their unique ability to create handmade clothing and jewelry, which allows a wide variety of shopping opportunities. In the middle of the businesses, piazzas are always awake and alive with a live performance by locals and talented individuals. Trastevere offers us an opportunity to live in an Italian cultural surrounding with its narrow streets and historical housing architecture.
Walking down the street of Piazza del Ponzani, we see the locals dancing in the village. This street was filled with homemade jewelry, pottery, and kitchen shops. What really caught our attention were the dancers. It's an old folk kind of dance. This reminded us of back home. For example, walking down the street of South Beach the dancers were exotic, had more movement, and wore less clothing. It was nice to see an old dance exist for so long and a different kind of clothing for a change.
At the end of Piazza die Ponzani, we see the Troians de Aquaviva. Walking through this entrance, there is a church. This church is called the Basilica di S.Cecilia.
Pope Urban I founded the church in the 3rd century. Cecilia is the Roman martyr for whom this church was dedicated to. Cecilia was martyred by Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander.
After that, we walk in the Casa di Riposa, S Franseca Romana. This is located in the street of Piazza De Mercanti. The Casa di Riposa is a nursing home. It is a private institution that takes care of the elderly, welfare, and charity.
In this area, the locals would sell their homemade goods such as paintings, jewelry, clothes, and food.
In the back of this small marketplace, there is an entrance with a beautiful garden. This garden is open to everyone. Behind this garden, there is a nursing home for the elderly. Walking up the stairs at the top of the nursing home you can get a panoramic view of the garden. While exploring the Casa di Riposa, we met Rebecca; an American theology student who works with translating with the elderly in the nursing homes. Rebecca has been living in the Casa di Riposa for eight years. One of our favorite facts about this place was that you can live here for free in exchange for your service in helping the elderly. This is something you do not see in the states, pay is usually demanded
