Fun fact about Italy: Air-conditioning is thought of as a luxury rather than a necessity as many of us view it in America. So what do you do when school is out and the temperature is on the rise?
Train to the closest beach, of course!
Now, I am blessed enough to live in a town where beaches are easily accessible. Rome, however, is a whole different body of water. In order to get to a beach that offers safe swimming, you've got to plan ahead.
Noelle and I enjoy going to Sperlonga-- a beach town recommended to us by our Italian professor, Cristiano. In order to reach our little slice of sand and surf, we take the metro to Termini (Rome's train station), board a train to Fondi-Sperlonga and nap until our stop an hour and ten minutes later. After de-training, we wait for a bus to take us 15 minutes further to the endless private beaches of Sperlonga.
**All beaches in Italy are private. (In order to take a dip, you must first dip into your wallet but the cost is well worth it as the cover charge provides you with two beach chairs and for a few extra euros a large umbrella.)**
It may seem like a lot of travelling just to lay out but once you kick your feet up on the comfy, mesh beach chairs it is WELL worth it.
We've gone to the beach a few times since our arrival and one thing strikes me each time we go: Europeans are extremely comfortable with their bodies. Noelle and I immediately noted the cultural difference upon arriving on the beach, taken aback at first by the variety of body types in every style of bathing suit imaginable. I have the utmost respect for these men and women and think that American culture should take note. After ten minutes, I felt more at ease than I ever have at the beach and was able to relax (even after practically swallowing my McDonald's cheeseburger and fries whole... I kid you not.)
It was truly a stress-free day in the sun.
On the train home, we met an American who had been backpacking around Europe for the past three weeks. He is a recent Penn State grad from just outside of Philly who majored in Aerospace Engineering (or Rocket Science as he so humbly stated haha). What a small world. Hope you got back to the States safely, Rocket boy!
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