Last Week of February

Hi Everyone! This week was just as great if not better than the preceeding weeks in Rome. The weather has been continuously getting better and it has stopped raining every day, all day. Its been about 50 degrees in the shade and 60 in the sunshine. We get really hot on our 1.3mile walk uphill to classes. On Friday Melissa, Jackie, Laird, Joe, Joey and I went sightseeing and saw the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. On Friday night we made dinner for our Italian friends and the menu was homemade American hamburgers, Grandma Janes macaroni salad, buffalo chicken dip, and apple cobbler. I think the boys really enjoyed it and we had a really great time hanging out together playing cards and eating and eating and eating. On Saturday night Jackie, Leah and I went to a club called Sky Bar, which wasn't as cool as it sounds because I figured it would be on a rooftop outside...but it was not it was just the top floor of some dumb building. On Sunday, my roomates and I went sightseeing again and went to St Peters Sq and the Jewish Ghetto. There was a sign in the Jewish Ghetto that said "October 6th 1943 - Deportation of all Hebrews in Rome" and I thought it was very interesting. There were a lot of Kosher restaurants and we ate at one and had "Jewish Artichokes" which was like a friend artichoke and it was really good. But they didn't have matzah ball soup, or borscht, or bagel chips, or bread pudding, or latkes, or blintzes! Needless to say I was pretty upset because I figured I was getting a homecooked authentic jewish meal, come to find out that food is American Jewish food. But the food was good anyways and I bought some little Jewish star earrings from this cute silver shop to match my star of david ring I bought in Israel. Other than that I've been going to classes and studying because I have to midterms coming up. One thing I have to say is there is an excess of two things in Rome: old people and dogs. I'm talking about really old people. Like over age 75. I have no idea what they do except walk very slowly down the streets pushing their shopping carts full of food, get really bundled up to go outside even if its unusually hot for February, and ride the busses and trams all day long. There is also an excess of dogs which is the greatest thing ever because I love dogs and you can't stay in a bad mood if you see 15 dogs on your way to class. I started running and its a little awkward because A) no one really excercises here B) the old men stare at you when you run C) the old people walk so slowly down the street D) there is dog poop everywhere because there is no law that says you have to pick it up. But hopefully the pasta won't get to me and I'll be able to not turn into a gigantic blob of Italian food before I return to the states. Tonight Melissa and I are going to a calcetto team dinner so that should be fun. Everything is great here and I love it and I am so happy I took this opportunity.

Interlaken!

Hi everyone! So we went to Interlaken, Switzerland this weekend. I have never had more fun skiing in my life. Thursday night we got on the bus at 8 and watched some movies and I fell asleep around 1:00. We got to Interlaken at 8:00 and it was snowing and cold. We rented our ski gear and then got on a bus, then a train, then a trolly, and then a tram, to finally get up to Manlichen where me and Jackie, Melissa, Joe and Laird skied together. However, we lost Laird after about five minutes of being on the mountain which stunk cuz we ended up looking for him all day and waiting in a lot of places. But the views and the skiing was incredible. We traveled a little bit to this area where we could make our own tracks in fresh powder! I didn't fall that day but some of my friends did and it was hilarious because it doesn't hurt to fall in the powder. All in all we came home Friday night amazed at the incredible skiing and from the moment I stepped on the mountain I knew I was going to do two days of skiing. Friday night we went to dinner at a Thai restaurant next to our hostel where we got a discount. We met these army guys who were all medics, nurses and pilots and they were from the south and stationed in Germany. Then we went to the bar called Metro that is in the basement of our hostel, Balmers, which is kinda famous. They had a 2 for 1 drink special until 10:00! So I got two Strongbows for 4.50 francs! And the francs were 1.06 to the $ so it was nice not having to convert everything since it was basically equal. We went to bed at about 11:30. The next morning, my friend Joe and I had decided to obviously do another day of skiing, but no one else wanted to spend the money because it was kinda expensive if you aren't an avid skier and don't understand the fact that WE'RE IN SWITZERLAND AND ITS INCREDIBLE. So we woke up at 7:30, took the 8:30 bus to the tram and took the 40 minute tram to Grindelwald where we got on a 40 minute gondola up to First, which is another mountain. The mountain was GIGANTIC. Its so much different skiing than Killington. There is easy skiing right next to very difficult skiing, groomed snow next to pure powder, and no trail names! So Joe is a great skier and we were really compatible and never had to wait for each other. It was a clear blue sky with no clouds and about 25 degrees so the conditions were incredible. The first time we went through some powder it was traversing on this hill and I accidentally fell into the snow and screamed a little. So Joe turned around to look at me and make sure I was okay....but he fell over down the hill onto his head, and fell AGAIN and landed on his feet! Needless to say I have never laughed so hard in my entire life. It was the funniest thing, he looked like a slinky. He was fine of course but I could barely breathe from laughing so hard. So then we skied in a few places where we made our own tracks in fresh powder and that was awesome. Until one time Joe was like "oh go over there!" so I followed him, but i was lower on the trail than he was, and I got stuck in a gully! So I had to walk myself out while Joe laughed hysterically. I have to admit it was hilarious but I was hoping that wouldn't happen to me! So then we took this REALLY long run down the mountain all the way back to Grindelwald and the trail went through the town and through the fields and houses and cabins and it was so beautiful. I think it would be a really nice place to visit in the summer. Then on the last run we met up with some friends from AUR and we went on this run that we had been looking up at all day long. It wasn't really a trail, more like off road skiing. It was really steep and there was a lot of snow that no one had skied in yet. So of course, our last run we all did it together. I went over to the place to make my own tracks and as soon as I started going I wiped out and lost my skis and poles and face planted into the powder. But it was really fun! BUt then I lost one of my skis in the powder....and I couldn't find it at all. So I was on the verge of tears and finally one of the kids we were skiing with found it! So I bought him a drink that the bar Saturday night because I don't know what I would have done if I had lost that ski. But the trail was incredible, and whenever I skied through the powder I couldn't help screaming YAHOO!!!!! the whole way down. Skiing through powder is the most fun thing I've ever done in my whole life. I can't even explain why it is so much fun but its such a rush and feels soooo coool. So saturday night I was exhausted and I went to bed early while everyone was partying downstairs but I'm glad I did because I woke up early and wasn't hung over and we walked around Interlaken. I bought a Swiss army knife and got my name engraved in it! Then we got on the bus at 1 and got back to Rome at 12:00. It was a long, tiring weekend but it was the most fun I've had since being in Europe and I wish I could go back to Switzerland, but I'm sure I will sometime eventually in my life. I would love to go skiing with Mom and Dad and Jessie there eventually. I'm still amazed at the pictures I took and can't believe I was actually there but it was the most awesome experience ever and I'm so happy I did and so grateful for the opportunity to go.

Venice - Carnival

Hi everyone! So last Wednesday I had my first Art History of Rome class and we went to the Pantheon and Capitoline Hill, which is where you can see the entire Roman Forum. My teacher seems really nice but she has a deep Italian voice and she kind of sounds like she is narrating an epic movie when she speaks, but it only makes the class more interesting. Our syllabus is incredible with visits to all the important sites and artwork in Rome. It is basically a field trip every Wednesday morning. So Thursday night was our friend Andrea's birthday party at this club called Mood and it was a lot of fun. But we left early because the next morning we had to wake up early and go to Venice. So Friday morning, we took the bus to Termini Station and got on a 6 hour train ride to Venice. We went through Tuscany and I got to see the real countryside, except it was raining so it wasn't that pretty. When we got to Venice....it was pouring. And of course, Venice is all canals so you have to take a boat everywhere which means you have to sit on a dock and wait for a boat to come. So we figured out how to get to Lido, an island off of Venice where we found a cheap hotel room. We went there and it looks like a beautiful summer resort and a quaint little town, but in the freezing cold rain it isn't much. We also had to buy rain boots and an umbrella because my leather boots just were not holding up. So we went to our hotel to put our stuff down and change and go back to dinner to start Carnival festivities. Well once we got off the boat and walked over the first bridge, I SLIPPED ON THE RAMP AND FELL INTO A HUGE PUDDLE. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard, but it was only 8ish so I was sopping wet the entire night. And also, because of the rain nothing was open, nothing was going on, and no one was anywhere to be seen and we had no idea how to get around Venice so we were out in the rain for about 5 hours straight. Needless to say I wasn't very happy. But then Saturday we went to Murano and saw the glass factory and glass shops. Bubbie always told me about Murano and how cool it is...but it really is something. We paid 2 euro to watch an old Italian man create this glass basket sculpture thing and it was INCREDIBLE!!! I've never been in such awe. Some of the pieces they had in the shop were so detailed and the chandeliers were really awesome. I didn't buy anything on Murano though because I know we're going back in May and I dont want anything to break in my bag. Saturday night it stopped raining and people came out and there were tons of carts with souveniers and masks on them. I bought a black and gold one and a Venice flag. The Venice "mascot" is a winged lion and he's everywhere and I really love it so I bought a flag that is red with gold lettering on it of the Venice lion. Sunday morning we took a 2 hour detour and accidentally got lost on the boat system, but it was sunny out so we didnt really mind, plus I kept falling asleep on every boat we got on . Then we got to Carnival and it was INSANE!!! People everywhere dressed up in costumes that really put American Halloween to shame. These costumes are crazy and so many people are really decked out. And then the kids have the cutest costumes too. My favorites were a little lion and a baby pooh bear, full body suit costumes that 4 or 5 year olds were wearing. There was confetti everywhere and a huge stage in St Marks square and a gigantic lion made out of fruit! Maybe ten feet fall and 15 feet long, he was made out of carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, squash and a ton of other veggies. There were drummers and horns and silly string everywhere. Then we walked around the shops for a while and my roomates and I all found awesome leather bags for great prices. They are authentic from Venice and it took us a while to choose which ones we wanted but in the end I think we each got the perfect one. So last night we took the 11:30 train back to Rome, and I have never been happier to be home. While this weekend was awesome, it was exhausting and very topsy turvy. It was our first weekend traveling and the first and probably the last time we plan everything ourselves. Its much easier to just go with a group or guided tour. I never thought I'd look at the graffitti on Gianicolensi (the street we live on) and think to myself "Thank god I'm home". This weeks sure to be fun too because we have soccer and we're going to Interlaken Thursday night!

First Week In Roma

Hi Everyone! This week has been a whirlwind. Thursday night we went to my roommates Italian friends house for dinner and met Andrea, Nicola, Diego, Savario, Andrea, Gianluigi and Giuseppe. They made us a delicious dinner of mushroom and octopus risotto. I didn't eat the octopus one though... So then on Friday we had orientation and saw American University in Rome for the first time. It is a beautiful location with orange and yellow buildings and a picturesque courtyard. After orientation, we went into downtown Rome to sign up for local cell phones. There we saw so many beautiful buildings, statues, fountains and historic sites! I saw the colosseum from afar and it was incredible. Friday night we went to a club called Gilda, and Saturday we went to a club called Bloom. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I slept all day long, until like 5:00 here, partly because we were up so late but also because of jet lag. I thought I would be messed up come monday when we started classes, but I woke up at 9:00 and started my day because it was the first time we had seen sunshine in Rome! We walked up to the school which takes about 25 minutes and its all uphill! I had my first Italian class on Monday, and my teacher is great. She is supposed to be the nicest Italian teacher of them all as well as the best. I don't think the class will be very hard because Italian is so similar to Spanish. I have learned so much Italian already! Also our Italian friends I mentioned before are a really big help because they teach us how to say things we say a lot as well as Italian slang and we help them with their English. But I have gotten used to dumbing down my english so our Italian friends can understand us haha. Monday night my roommates and I went out to our first dinner in Trastevere, just a few minutes down the tramline. It was called Le Fate and we got a 3 course meal plus house wine for 10 euros which is very cheap here. First we got bruschetta which was delicious because it was so fresh, then we got pasta pomodorro which had homemade angel hair pasta in it, and then Nutella pie. It was all very delicious. The restaurant does this deal every Monday but switches up the pasta and desert. We plan on going back every Monday. My roommates names are Leah Flacco, Jackie Russell and Melissa Parker. I really like them all and we get along very well. After dinner, we came back to the apartment and planned our trip to Venice for Carnival, which took about 4 hours because we didn't know that the Italian train station site does NOT accept American credit cards....well how were we supposed to know that? So this morning we woke up early again and took the tram and then bus to Termini station and had to buy our tickets in person. It was a pretty big hassle, but it was worth it to learn our way around Rome, see all the historical buildings and there was no way we were not going to Carnival this weekend. So then I had my first International Finance class, where the teacher told us that if anyone hasn't taken macroeconomics or a general finance course they should drop it. Obviously I have so I am going to stick with the class, but I do hope people drop so the class will be smaller. Then I also had my first Business Law class. The teacher of that class is the dean of American University! The class seems really interesting with a lot of conversation and not just lectures. Then the most fun party of my week so far was calccetto!!! It is Italian soccer. My roommates and I figured we'd try out for soccer, even just for the workout tonight. Having NEVER played soccer except for in maybe fifth grade, I did really well! I made 4 goals throughout the whole practice and there was even a goalie in the net! It was a great workout and I'm now exhausted. The only bad part was when I kicked the ball and it went right into the goalies face...who was kind of running the practice because she speaks great Italian and English and our coach only speaks Italian. The poor girl got a bloody nose....I really felt horrible. I thought for sure they'd hate me but then I found out I made the team! I just have to get a physical on monday and pay some money and I get a warm up suit and uniform that I can choose the number and my name! I'm going to make it say "Giulia" because thats how you spell it here and also there is a song called Brava Giulia here by a man who's kind of like Bruce Springsteen. All the boys start singing the song when they find out Julia is my name and it's really funny. Its also a great song. So I'm very excited to play soccer and all the girls seem really awesome and my other roommate Melissa is doing it also. Its only Tuesday night practices and then games. I'm very excited and proud of myself. Tomorrow I have my first Art of Rome class and I have to get shin guards and turf shoes. I'm doing excellent navigating my way around Rome with all the different streets, trams, and busses. I'm happy I have a great sense of direction because if I didn't and followed my roommates directions, we would be lost all the time. So now I'm off to bed because I need rest because this weekend starts Thursday with our friend Andreas birthday at a club, a 10:30 train to Venice for Carnival on Friday, and a night train back on Sunday. I'm so excited!!! I love it here!