A Temporary Legal Citizen

Well, after waiting at the Post Office to get my Visa verified for 3 1/2 hours, I am officially a temporary citizen of Italy. Now I can travel throughout Italy and Europe with no problem! Speaking of traveling around Italy, I booked my first trip. On February 6-8th I will be going to Venice with 3 friends, Emily, Elizabeth, and Lindsay. It is the kickoff weekend of Carnivale, a 10 day festival celebrating the beginning of Lent. Basically it is one huge Mardis Gras. It is celebrated all over the world but Venice is known for their elaborate celebrations of this holiday. It should be a great weekend.

Right now I am working on Planning a Florence and Orvieto trip this weekend. Orvieto is supposed to be beautiful. The train tickets have turned out to be very complicated to purchase online but I think I should be able to figure out. I will be going with 3 girls: Lindsay, Courtney, and Tiffany.

I feel like I am exploring the neighborhood more and more. I remember when I first came to Chicago and I had no idea where I was going! This is a similar feeling. But with the help of maps and people who do know where they are going, I am slowly becoming familiarized with Monte Mario and Rome! Plus I am damn good at asking for directions in Italian by now.

On Thursday night a group of us went to an area of Rome called Campo di Fiori. It is a huge square of bars with American names such as "Sloppy Sam's" and "The Drunken Ship." This part of town is over run with Americans. I went to one bar called Scholars and the Cav's game was on. It was a bit surreal watching Lebron James in Italy. It was a great night with really fun people, but I think I am ready to explore more "Italian" parts of town.

This is a picture of me, Emily, Katie, and Katie out in Campo di Fiori.


Friday was a wonderful day! We woke up early and went to an area of town called Trastevere. It is where many young Italians hang out. It if full of shopping, restaurants, bars, and clubs. I really want to go back!!! We came across a huge market selling fish, boots, clothes, and produce. Such an odd combination under one tent.

We then decided to head to the Vatican to see St. Peter's Square. But on the way there we saw the Castle of Saint Angelo. It is a medieval castle that used to act as a prison.



And then...St. Peter's Square. It was absolutely moving for me to be there. The fact that Christianity has strived for over 2,000 years and has amazing structures (like St. Peter's) representing it strengthens my faith. We didn't make it inside but I will soon! Hopefully to attend Mass even. My excursion buddies and I all stood in awe in the middle of the square and finally felt like we were in Rome. We are scheduled for a papal audience in the next week or so, which should be stellar! Of coarse I ended the day with pistachio gelato...one more flavor to cross off my list.



And that night I FINALLY SAW MEGHAN (a best friend from gradeschool/highschool)! We had been trying to get together for ever. So we met up at a bar and I met all of her John Cabot friends. Hopefully we will get a trip planned together very soon.




Saturday, we had a school trip (fieldtrip if you will) to Villa d'Este. It was a villa used by the cardinals during the middle ages/medieval period. The inside was beautifully painted (reminding me of Versailles) and the outside was full of gardens, fountains, and pools. They lived in luxury that's for sure.



Sunday has been a very relaxing day...well except for the fact that I woke up at 7 AM to go to a flea market in Porta Portesa, but it was so interesting. Basically it is a never ending open air market with everything you could ever want. Scarves, kitchen supplies, and antiques that I would never buy in a million years (yes, people practically brought their whole basement). I got a leather wallet, a scarf, and a curling iron. All good fun.

To give you and idea of what my dorm looks like here are some not so exciting pictures of my living arrangements...




My Top Bunk!



More pictures at: http://romanadventuresandbeyond.shutterfly.com/

Tonight I plan on catching up on emails and uploading more photo's. Until the next bloggation, Love you all.

A Light Jog up the Spanish Steps and Cold Showers

I can hardly believe 5 days have passed already. Everyone agrees that it feels like months since we have gotten here. The Rome Center is a bit outside of Rome in an area called Monte Mario (specifically the Balduina district) on Via Massimi. I like living in a neighborhood not full of tourists. Instead it is bustling with the locals as they shop at the local groceries and have their afternoon cafes at the bar. Word to the wise...a bar is more like a cafe, and a cafe is more like a bar (in Italy).

I spent Saturday night wandering the streets of Rome looking for the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. Of coarse I threw a coin in the fountain and wished for my return to Rome someday. It's funny how we began the night with a large group, not knowing many, but came home with new friends. I have a feeling everyone here is going to become very close in the next three months. Emily almost got pick pocketed and we soon learned how not to look like obnoxious Americans (travel in small groups and avoid loudness).




Then me and Emily decided not walk up the Spanish steps, but jog or run even. As I made it to the middle of the hundreds of steps, a young Eastern European asked me to take a picture of he and his wife. Panting I did just that, and then preceded to jog. I love how this man thought that the girl running up the steps looked the most approachable to ask to take a picture. I love being downtown, especially since there are gelateria's everywhere! As an ice-cream-aholic I can't get enough of gelato and it is my goal to try every flavor before I go home.

Naturally we were lost a few times downtown but that just becomes a perfect excuse to speak to Italians and ask for directions. I have been speaking as much Italian as I can. Whether it has been to cab drivers, store owners, or the locals I am beginning to love the awkwardness of these American-Italian interactions. I feel as though I learn more doing that than being in class.

On Sunday we went to Assisi, A cute little village about 2 hours north of Rome. This is where St. Francis of Assisi lived and began the Franciscans. We stayed in a Retreat Center and it was mostly to get to know everyone a little better. We toured the city, hung out at the local wine bar, and explored the many alleys and stairways in this enchanting town. Honestly, I can't get enough of the wine, and I am foreseeing it as a passion of mine in the future.

Assisi sat along the mountains and it reminded me of Arizona. I love the mountains and they are always so comforting to me. The town receives over 5 million tourists a year who are on pilgrimage to visit St. Francis' tomb, St. Claire's tomb, and the relics of the saints. Not only did Assisi contain many churches, but it is home to over 50 religious orders. The most interesting ones to me were of a group of cloistered nuns who can't leave the convent unless for medical attention or the funeral of their parents. Their dedication to their faith is uplifting. The town was very spiritual and uplifting.

Above is the beautiful view from my window in Assisi!

We also visited Gubbio, a medieval town near Assisi. Visiting these two towns made me very excited to explore Rome more and begin my weekend traveling. This weekend I am going to stay in Rome and get to know it better.

My roommate's name is Maddie and she is from Saint Louis University, which seems appropriate since that's where one of my best friends goes to school. She is a sophomore and I think we are going to get along great! It's strange going back to dorm life. Everyone keeps their door open in the halls and are so welcoming. The downside...I haven't had a warm shower since being here and the walls are paper thin. My mattress is quite stiff and the rooms are cold. These are minor inconveniences that will make me focus on getting out into Rome rather than being in my dorm.

Classes start tomorrow. Exciting? Let's make it! I have beginning acting...thank God it's only beginning. But I am happy to finally be pursuing my dreams of becoming an actress or at least of being in a play. Tomorrow, I also plan to explore Monte Mario a bit more and go school supplies shopping and maybe grab a latte (which is espresso with mostly milk). Apparently an unwritten rule in Italy is no Cappuccino's past noon.

I feel so blessed to be here and experiencing so many amazing places and people. I will post some pictures soon. Love you all.

Jetlagged...

Arrived safely in Rome! I am extremely exhausted and have been awake for at least 26 hours or so...sleep? I say no. Dinner in our neighborhood instead! Orientation is beginning and I will be busy for the next couple days traveling to Assisi and Umbria. I will get back when classes begin. First impression= whelmed (not under or over, just whelmed) and excited. I have a feeling good things will happen.