Upon arriving in Rome, the first word that came to mind to describe it was bustling. It’s a city full of people, motor vehicles, and energy. While, I was expecting to see many things that would be visually alluring, what I was not expecting was the noise. I think the reason the noise stands out to me so much is because I have previously never lived in a big city. From clinking cappuccino cups to street musicians, there are many sounds to be heard.
Right away a certain high-pitched melody stood out to me- that of the ambulance sirens. They produce a noise distinctly different from the ones in the U.S. For the Rome program we live in centro storico, the historical center of Rome which is an amazing experience. My apartment is located at the corner of a busy intersection, which means constant noise and sirens all the time. For those of you not familiar with the sound please find the link (not recorded my me) here.
Earlier, during my first week here I really enjoyed visiting the Trevi Fountain. The extravagant 18th century fountain combined with the beautiful blue reflecting water is simply captivating. Unlike in photos that show it absent of people, during the day I found it to be crowded with eager admirers. One of my favorite parts was despite the crowd the water from the fountain produces a gushing noise loud enough to be heard from all around the fountain. The noise of the water is a distinct sound that definitely adds to the viewing experience, in a way that you can’t get from just a postcard.
Finally, the voices of others create a noise that adds to the essence of life in Rome. All around me on the street I can hear people speaking in Italian. Whether it’s people passing by in conversation, a barista taking an order, or a driver yelling at a pedestrian in the middle of the street, all the voices come together to create a sound that creates a vivacious and beautiful city atmosphere.