At the Drop of a Mountain

 By Clem Latham

The landscape of Delphi in Greece was incredibly striking to me. Although as a group we spent less than a day in the city, one of the most memorable things about the area was how high up we were in the mountains. When looking off of balconies, it almost felt as if you were scaling a cliffside because of how vertical of a drop there was. On the one night we spent there, two friends and I went to a bar that our tour guide recommended. I don’t particularly like loud music, so the three of us decided to take our drinks out to the deck they had– and I cannot even express how pretty the view was. Beneath the deck felt like a straight drop, and even in the dead of night, you could see how far down the mountain valley went. I wish I could’ve taken pictures then and there, but alas, my phone doesn’t like the dark all that much. As we were up in the mountains, there was a damp chill outside but it created the perfect late night mountainside ambiance. The morning after, as I was rushing to get ready and get out the door, I still had to take a second and pause once I saw the view from our hotel. It was absolutely breathtaking in real life. Nothing makes you feel truly small like a miles-long valley that seems so far below you. 

            Going to Athens after that was like a whole different world. It was much flatter, and much more urbanized to the point that I can’t remember much about the landscape. To me, all cities have the same kind of feel, and Athens was no different. It was certainly nothing like Delphi! Although cities are nice in their own way, nothing can beat that beautiful view and feel of being up in the hills in Delphi.

Rome: The City of Marble

 By Luis Leon

Surrounded by  marble structures both ancient and Neo-classical, Rome was a breath-taking city. In the nighttime, when the flooded streets calmed down, you could truly appreciate its quiet parts. Marble stone reflected the street lamps and night sky to make the cobble sidewalks glimmer while you walk by. Looking like your average city, there were ancient sites like training fields or fountains found at any corner with excavation. These sights block off public grounds, but they welcomed any wandering eye to admire its history. Integrated naturally with modern architecture, these sites push the reverence for Roman history. 

My favorite area to catch a glimpse of the beautiful city’s energy is down the Via del Corso, the longest shopping street in the city. When approaching, my group was expecting the regular tourist trap or mom-and-pop shops to cover every corner. But to our surprise, the street was illuminated with lamps and windows that almost looked like daylight when walking up. It had luxurious, high end clothing stores, restaurants, and bars. 

At the end of the path were the Spanish Steps, which connects the Spanish Embassy to the rest of the area. At the top we caught a fascinating sight of the entire street, going down a long incline.   

It was other worldly to see the bright glow and dense history the city had to offer. Visually, it was stunning and told you everything you needed to know that this was a place where empires thrived.