Exploring the Sights and Flavors of Rome: A Journey of Adventure, Friendship, and Cultural Exchange."

 How Winning a Trip to Rome and Attending the Snack the System Event Inspired Three Women from Different Parts of the World to Join Forces in Promoting Sustainable Food Systems

By Beauty Benedict 

I won a trip to Rome with two other girls, Cara and Shakira. The excitement was palpable as we packed our bags and embarked on this adventure together. I, Beauty Benedict am from Nigeria, Cara hails from South Africa while Shakira is from Bangladesh. I came in third place in the #Food4Thought challenge which was hosted by Goodwall and sponsored by "Bites of Transfoodmation" and "Wyss academy". There were a total of 496 contestants in the challenge, so I felt lucky to be one of the winners.

During our stay in Rome, we presented speeches at the Snack the System event. For days, we studied hard to prepare for our speeches (am not a speech type!)😄. Despite feeling scared that we might say something that would be deemed as nonsense by our audience, we persevered and delivered our speeches. Our speeches were based on the challenge ideas we won during the #Food4Thought challenge. Although it was nerve-wracking, we felt accomplished once we were done.

In addition to presenting speeches, we also volunteered at the Snack the System event. Our role was to explain the various paragraphs of the Bites of Transfoodmation manifesto to visitors, which was a wonderful experience.

I remember dozing off during one of our night speech preparations, and the two girls, Cara and Shakira, took a photo of me. They posted the picture in our group chat and tagged it as "sleeping beauty." It was a lighthearted moment that helped ease the tension of our preparation process. I chuckled when I saw the photo the next day and was grateful for the camaraderie of the girls.

Initially, our trip was scheduled for May 2022, but we encountered some visa issues, which delayed our travel plans until October 6th 2022. Nevertheless, we were thrilled to finally arrive in Rome and begin exploring the city. We visited the FAO, where we attended the "Snack the System" event. It was a delightful experience as we learned about sustainable food systems and how we can contribute to food security worldwide.

During the snack the system event at the FAO, we met two delegates from Goodwall. They were kind, and I cannot forget the surprised look on my face when one of them mentioned my name. I was taken aback by how she knew my name, but she explained that they were from Goodwall.

We savored the city's culinary delights during our trip, including delicious gelato (ice cream) and mouth-watering pizza. 

Of all the treats we enjoyed, gelato became our favorite, but we also had a memorable experience with pizza thanks to Anna, the pretty lady working for Bites of Transfoodmation who was in charge of us. On our first day in Rome, Anna presented us with a heart-shaped pizza which we enjoyed for dinner. 

It was a touching and unexpected gesture that made us feel incredibly welcome in the city. We were grateful for Anna's kindness, and it was the perfect start to an unforgettable trip.

We explored the city of Rome, and guess what! We were in for a treat! We visited the Orange Garden, which provided a breathtaking panoramic view of Rome. We spent hours taking in the stunning views and chatting about our lives back home. The locals were very friendly and welcoming, which made our stay even more enjoyable.

Our next stop was the breathtaking Trevi Fountain. As we walked up to the fountain, we were awed by the stunning view before us. The intricate sculptures and crystal-clear water made for a sight that was truly magnificent. We were so taken aback by the beauty of the place that we forgot to throw coins into the fountain to make a wish, a tradition that we had heard about. Looking back, we wish we had taken the opportunity to do so, but we were caught up in the moment.

Instead, we decided to indulge in some of Italy's famous gelato, which is the Italian word for ice cream. We purchased a few cones of gelato from a nearby vendor, and while it was delicious, we couldn't help but feel that it was a bit pricey at five euros each, especially compared to the more affordable options we had enjoyed earlier on the trip. Nevertheless, we savoured every bite of the creamy, flavourful gelato as we took in the beauty of the fountain and enjoyed each other's company. We took plenty of photos to remember the moment, and the memories we made there will remain with us forever.

Of course, we couldn't leave Rome without visiting the Colosseum. It was awe-inspiring to see the ancient architecture and hear the history behind this landmark. Although we were excited to see the Colosseum, we unfortunately didn't have enough money to pay for entry, so we had to settle for admiring it from the outside. 

We snapped some selfies and marveled at the grandeur of the structure, imagining what it would be like to explore the interior. It was disappointing not to go inside, but we promised ourselves that if we ever had the opportunity to return to Rome, we would make it a priority to see the Colosseum up close and learn more about its fascinating history.

One of the highlights of our trip to Rome was definitely visiting Vatican City. The lavish and intricate artwork and sculptures were truly stunning, and we were in awe of the grandeur of the place. 

Unfortunately, we missed the opportunity to see the Pope, as we arrived on the wrong day and he wasn't at the Vatican City. Nonetheless, we cherished the experience and appreciated the beauty of the place. 

The aroma of coffee was a delightful experience as we strolled through the streets of Rome in the morning. It was impossible to resist the tempting fragrance that seemed to linger around every corner. The sweet and comforting scent of coffee added to the charm of this beautiful city, making it a memorable experience for me.

Although we had a blast exploring Rome, we did get lost a few times! It's easy to do, considering how many winding streets and alleyways there are. But the locals were always willing to help and point us in the right direction. And also, thanks to Google maps for helping us find our way! 

During our trip to Rome, we stayed in an Airbnb located in Luciano Manara, and it turned out to be an excellent place. The apartment was not only comfortable but also beautifully furnished, providing us with a cozy and homey atmosphere. We enjoyed our stay and looked forward to returning to the apartment after long hours of exploring the city. It was the perfect place to rest, relax, and recharge for the next day's adventures.

Overall, our trip to Rome was an incredible experience, and we have "Goodwall " and the "Bites of Transfoodmation" to thank for sponsoring our journey. It was such an honor to be made members of the mission, and we'll never forget the kindness and generosity we experienced during our stay. We returned home with a newfound appreciation for different cultures and a deeper love for travel. Who knows where our next adventure will take us?