Originally Posted by
alaskantechrome99er
Hi all!
My name is Lisa, and I went to Tech Rome in 1999. I believe that was the second-to-last year it was held? Anyway, a bunch of people from that year gathered today for a reunion. I live in Alaska, so I skyped in, and it was so cool to to see everyone!
I have lived in Alaska for most of my life. I attended undergrad at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (go Nanooks!! :-)). I still remember coming across a poster advertising Tech Rome in the hallway of on of the buildings on my campus (all the way in Fairbanks, Alaska!!). It was one of those posters where you could tear off the card, fill it out, and send away for more information. This was in 1998, so it wasn't so long ago that you couldn't use the Internet to send away for info, but that's just how I did it. I was at the tail end of a relationship with a guy that I was growing away from, and I was looking for a big adventure. I am of Italian descent, and had always dreamed of going to Italy to visit the place of my ancestry and feel a bit more connected to my family history. I'm about 6th or 7th generation American, so my family has been here for a long time, but I still wanted to see where it all began :-)
I said I wanted adventure, and boy, ask and ye shall receive! As I said before, I went in the summer of 1999, and it was the best summer of my life!! The view from my room at Casa Kolbe was the Palatine Hills, and I could see the Roman Forum if I leaned to my right. There was plenty of time for trips as a whole group and individual exploration. I got to see the Pope in person (JPII) - twice!! One of my favorite things to do there was go to Giolitti's gelateria, get a scoop of the champagne gelato, and hang out at Piazza Navona with my newfound friends, many of whom I still keep in touch with 15 years later.
I am so glad I tore that little card off of the poster and sent it in!
PS. I hear that Casa Kolbe has since been renovated into high-end condos and a four-star hotel. No more sneaking up to the 4th floor to try and catch a glimpse of the monks, or hanging out in the lobby with Fabio and Maurizio!