Week One of Classes Completed!

This week was already challenging, but I'm fairly certain that I will enjoy my classes. My first class was Italian 1001 and is probably my favorite. My professor is absolutely insane and makes fun of our answers in a strange fun kind of way. My roommate Sara has been helping me learn how to count and speak certain phrases, so I did extra well the first week in class and earned a few "bravissimo"'s! I have even been able to practice a little bit in the 24 hour bakery (the best pastry place on earth) and with the attractive Italians at Old Bridge Gelato. Yesterday the boy scooping my gelato complimented me by saying, "Perfetto Italiano!" It was definitely NOT perfect, but Italians are so nice and very ready to help Americans practice.

Anyway, I don't really know what to say for my Roman history class, but this certainly isn't American history at Messiah College! It will probably be the most challenging class I'll ever take in my life. My professor is from Belgium and is extremely intense. No drinking, no leaving to go the bathroom, and lectures are very difficult. There is no mistaking the fact that I'll learn a lot from him, though. I'm mostly just concerned about my grade...

Modern Italy is another of my classes and seems pretty average. My last class is called Rome Sketchbook. I'm intimidated by this class mostly because I can't draw that well- I discovered that after our first lesson today. My professor expects quality work that I'm not sure I can produce. Hopefully I will improve! For class tomorrow we are taking a trip to the hill-town of Tuscania. I'll be sure to let you all know about that trip. Maybe I can borrow a camera from someone so I can take pictures. If not, there might be some mediocre drawings. Oh, just in case you didn't know, my camera died. I bought a new one on the Italian Amazon and am hoping to get it sometime soon!

Italy v. America

I think it’s about time for a fun little comparison of my new home and my home back in the States. Of course the first thing everyone always wants to know about is the toilet. Here, the flusher is a button on the wall. The tank is all the way up by the ceiling on the wall. The bathtub is also peculiar because the shower head is in the middle instead of on the end. The curtain also goes around two sides.

Driving: Italians are INSANE. They drive extremely fast, constantly weave in and out of other cars, and often drive in between two lanes. Lines painted on the road are merely suggestions…including crosswalks! We’ve learned to always look before crossing, even if it’s the pedestrian’s right-of-way. We also learned to make eye contact with the driver and put out our hand in a stop symbol, meaning “Stop, I’m coming!”

Personal space in Italy is non-existent. Italians don’t make organized lines, but squished mobs. Stores are very specialized and often close for 2-3 hours in the afternoon for lunch. Not to make anyone at home jealous, but the weather in the winter is gorgeous. It’s cool and humid and spring-coat worthy. Interestingly enough, the Italians think it’s really cold and walk around in puffy winter coats. The internet (in the Residence)is terrible. And like I mentioned in an earlier post, gelato is oh so much better than ice cream.

Orientation Ends

First of all, sorry about the pictures all out of order with the text. I can't figure out how to put them in my post correctly.

Orientation is now over and classes begin today, Monday. This week has been such a blur, but definitely the experience of a lifetime. On Saturday, we took a trip back to Ancient Rome and saw a lot of ruins and the Colosseum. Although we have not gone inside it yet, it was absolutely fantastic and makes me excited to begin my class on Roman history. I definitely had the chills whilst walking through the Roman section of the city.

It would have been a long walk back to the Residence from the Colosseum, so we decided to take our first bus ride all by ourselves. We got on the correct bus and would have gone all the way to the stop at Cipro Metro station (near the Residence), but while en route we saw this fantastic little place near the Vatican called Old Bridge Gelato. We made a quick decision and got off at the next stop. It was definitely the right decision –two Euros for a huge cone with three flavors. Plus, the view of the Italians working behind the counter was not too bad either. ;)

Yesterday, Sunday, was the most remarkable day thus far. We took a bus trip to a beautiful medieval hill-town called Todi. Che Bella! I kind of miss the countryside, so this was absolutely perfect for me. The view was lovely –farmland, vineyards, mountains. We met the cutest old Italian man named Gianocarlo. He only spoke Italian, but it was incredible how much I could understand. Obviously there was a ton I couldn’t understand, but I do know that he told us about the tallest tree, how long his family has lived in Todi, and that the patron saint of Todi is san Fortunato. He even gave us a European kiss goodbye! After Todi we took a winding trip to Titignano, a private estate, where we had a delicious traditional meal about seven courses and 2-3 hours long. It was really great to eat a real meal- we’ve been eating apples, clementines, and bananas all week. We’ve really got to figure out buying food so we can cook a little better! Anyway, I’ll be sure to let you all know how classes go this week. Ciao!

The view in Titignano

Sara and Gianocarlo in Todi

Sight-seeing in Rome

Last night we went to the Vatican through a roundabout way. It was SO peaceful and incredible that I got the chills. I'm excited to go back during the day and actually go inside St. Peter's Basilica.
Today during our walking tour of the school area we went inside St. Maria del Popolo and the Pantheon. These places are awe-inspiring...the art work and the rich history just took my breath away and elicit a great reverence for Christ. Once I upload my pictures, I promise to let you all see them! I may wait until I go to the Vatican during the day to take and upload pictures. Colosseum to come soon! Anyway, as the Italians say...Ciao!

An American in Rome

From the first day (Tuesday):
Well, we're all here! Yesterday was quite the adventure already, and of course we're all pretty exhausted. My first plane ride was alright. I can't say I'm a really big fan of airplanes. It feels so unnatural.

Anyway, what I really wanted to talk about is how American this place makes you feel! I mean, obviously I always knew that, but I've never really felt it like I do now. Thank goodness for our roommate Sara who was able to take Italian before coming. We were extremely hungry for some lunch yesterday afternoon and ended up getting cappucinos and a pastry. However, first we had to figure out how to get in the door. Despite looking like a pull door, it was a push door. Once we got inside the man laughed and pinned us down as Americans right away. Sara did all of the talking and Jenn and I just kind of smiled a lot. Thank goodness Italian class starts next week! In the grocery store we probably looked like a spectacle. We figured out how to weigh our bananas, bought a huge loaf of bread, and spent a good bit of time looking for pasta sauce. Certainly an adventure!

This morning I walked with my apartment-mates to their orientation (mine is this afternoon) and decided to wander around. I found the Piazza del Popolo and decided I should take some pictures. Clearly that was not the best idea to do all by myself because a man tried to sell me roses. I guess I just look like an American, especially with my camera.
Oh, and just a "by-the-way"...gelato is so much better than ice cream.

Rome-bound

It's official. I leave tomorrow for Rome! I'm pretty sure I have over-packed, I've never been on a plane, I don't know Italian, and I'm nervous. At the same time, I don't think I've ever been more excited in my life! This past week I caught up with friends, made one last trip to Messiah to say goodbye to some really special people, and had the most wonderful Italian-themed going away party with my family. Please enjoy the humorous pictures from the party today and next time I update it will be the real deal!

Time is Flying!!

It's hard to believe that I will begin my adventure in the Old World in less than two weeks! My Spring semester will be spent in Rome through Temple University. In order to let everyone at home know what I'm up to, I've decided to create a blog. You will all just have to bear with me since I've never blogged before!
The next two weeks will be a flurry of copying important papers, packing, and finishing up last minute items before I leave on January 10th. Soon Christmas break will be over and I'll be in Rome...now that's a scary thought! I'll be sure to keep everyone updated as the time draws closer.