Why you should be watching Eureka, and why NBC canceled it. Also, the truth about how Nielsen TV Ratings get good shows canceled.

Ancient Roman Beauty...No Security?

Rome is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to. Ancient history is everywhere...society as we know it started there. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, are just a few of the endless wonders that exist in Rome.

As I began to explore Rome further, I began to notice a disturbing trend...graffiti, or other forms of vandalism on the iconic landmarks in Rome. Even more upsetting was the realization that there was no security protecting a great number of them. Occasionally the Carabinieri (the Roman police force) would show up for a while, but there weren't any guards stationed near any of them. The result is a multitude of vandalism. I felt a mixture of sadness and confusion when I tried to think of a person's decision to engrave their name or profanity into the Colosseum. Believe it or not, the entire interior is filled with this kind of vandalism. Littering isn't uncommon to see strewn around the area of ancient landmarks either.

Now, some landmarks, like the Pantheon, and the Vittorio Emanuele Monument have Carabinieri patrolling inside and out, because they have a monument to a certain general, soldier, king, etc. at that location. But to my knowledge these are really the only exceptions, not counting the Vatican which has it's own security. And ironically enough, while the monument itself is well protected, the Italian government's decision to construct the Vittorio Emanuele monument (knowingly, it wasn't undiscovered or accidental) destroyed a large portion of the Capitoline Hill, including several historic buildings and an ancient convent.

Angered, saddened, and frustrated at all of this, I asked several Italians how they felt about it. All of them reflected my feelings towards the situation. When I asked why the government didn't feel protection of their invaluable ancient history, none of them knew.

Maybe it's the cost of such protection. Europe, Italy in particular, is being hit hard by the Euro financial crisis. But some might argue that investing in protection of the historical landmarks that bring innumerable tourist's to Rome and throughout all of Italy is well worth it.

When in Rome...learn to live all over again.

I made the not so difficult decision to study abroad in Rome last semester. I learned a lot, and gained some perspective. Here's some of the best experiences and how they as well as many other experiences, have changed the way I feel, think, and live.

Stores in Europe tend to open later and close earlier. Many smaller stores will even close for a large period of time in the afternoon. People can be seen spending hours enjoying each others company. Men who sound like their screaming at each other are just speaking in the stereotypical, but true Italian style. I've gone out for two or so hours in the evening only to walk back and find the men are still there, chatting it up on a street corner. The food's all fresh, not the American way of over-processed, shrink wrapped food shipped in mass quantities all over the country. Life in Europe, particularly in Rome, seems so much...richer, and better.

Before classes started, all the students (200+ of us) went on a trip to the Abruzzo region. Towns literally built ON enormous hills with breathtaking views from any point. We went to an amazing olive oil mill afterward where we were given a tour called (www.luigitega.com for pictures of the mill, villa, and more). The olive oil mill was run by the Tega family who worked and lived in an amazing villa consisting of four connectingWe were supposed to have a tasting after...and we did...but not before the family started bringing out food. It was literally a feast of scrumptious Italian pastas, breads, desserts, and so much more. Shocked by their generosity (I had befriended a . We had a survival Italian course before we left, so I dared use little I knew to speak with them. With a little help from the professor's and staff that came with us I told them how grateful I was for all they had done and the amazing food they provided. They asked about me and what I'd be studying in Italy, and I asked them about their family and their villa. Our conversations continued until it was time to leave for our hotel. They even asked me to take a picture with them! Such a great experience and a wonderful example of how gracious Italians and Europeans are. Italians know the importance of family and spending time with them. They never let work, money, or much of anything prevent them from their loved ones.

Another time, I went out on my own to order dinner in Rome, and struck up a conversation with a woman next to me named Lisa. I started speaking in Italian only to learn Lisa was a journalist who had moved to Rome 20 or so years ago. We chatted through our meal, about food and my studies of the stunning art and architecture in Rome. It quickly became apparent to me that our personalities worked quite well together. She was a lot of fun and just had a way of making me smile. Near the end of dinner Lisa said she wanted me to come with her to a Private Piano Concert. Never one to miss an opportunity to meet new people, I accepted. Little did I know I'd be served yet another feast, made by Luigi's (the host) daughter who was a had a Masters Degree in the Culinary Arts, met a famous pianist from Argentina, listened to a tribute to Frank Liszt which was equally as remarkable as the rest of the night. Lisa, myself, the Argentinian pianist (of whom I regretfully cannot remember his name), the pianist who had performed that night, and Luigi's family remained after the Liszt Tribute performance. Then, within minutes, dinner was served. A first course came. Then a second, a third, and then dessert. I'm still not sure how I made it back home after such a night without collapsing from overeating!

Maybe it's just me. My family. Or how I've, we've (my family and I), even American's have chosen to live our live's...it makes life seem so trivial. Work, sleep, tv, bed, repeat. Sure we have a vacation or two every year...but I think we should be living by the example of the Italians. The Europeans. These were just two chance encounters...but they were two of countless that happened throughout the entire time I lived in Rome. Even when I traveled to Venice, Florence and Paris, it was much the same. Paris wasn't as much family oriented (my relatives in Paris often times struggled to manage their time between friends who seem to have, though not by much gotten the priority, and family), but it was focused on doing what you love, not doing what pays the most money.

Take from this what you will. But I'm thinking I might be wanting a change in "venue" sooner than later in life.

I have a follow up post brewing in my head closely related to this one, say if you enjoyed it, be on the look out!