I woke up in Rome. For reals, Kelsey pinched me and I wasn't dreaming!!! Ahh, the sights (crazy drivers and scruffy puppies everywhere), the smells (smoke and food, but mostly smoke) enveloped me as I frolicked off to orientation.
On the way to JCU my roomies (who are awesome) and I stopped at amazing cafe for breakfast called Settimano. We had macchiatos and croissants, which were delicious and cost less than 2 euros (woot)! An added bonus, it gave me a nice jolt of energy *jazz hands* to get through the endless hours of orientation (it was excessively boring). The best part was the three hour break for lunch. We wandered around near the Guarini campus (the historic one). We clip clopped over the cobblestones and saw some super cute shops. Eventually our noses led us to the most quaint of restaurants. I had a scrumptious ravioli with spinach and fresh basil. Yum! The uniquely European part of the lunch was the table. It was outside on the cobblestone path (cute) but the path was slanted, hence, our table was as well. By the end of the meal I had a crook in the left side of my neck. Well worth it though.
So onto the exciting events of the day...... WE WENT GROCERY SHOPPING!!!!! We googled the location, so as to be prepared, and then walked to the store. The store is about a ten minute walk from my apartment and is located near a very pungent cheese and meat store. It was such a unique experience. We had to go through a gate, like you would to get on a ride at Valley fair, and push our cart under this weird flapp-y thing. And then the fun began. The store is like a maze. There are weird aisles that zig and zag, and some that end oddly. The aisles are also super narrow, so there is no passing someone as they ponder over what bread loaf to get. So I had to say "scusi" (excuse me) and "permesso" (like permission to pass) alot. Strangely enough, they have lots of the same brands that we have at home: ritz crackers, colgate toothpaste, herbal essence, cheerios, cocoa puffs. Its like a little taste of home. The only thing missing is Milwaukee toast (rye bread with peanut butter), because sadly they lack PB in Rome. Thus far, it is the city's biggest flaw (aside from the smoking). When we finished shopping through the maze we paid. Also a unique experience as they charge you for bags. I bought some nice reusable ones for the walk back, I felt so European! Though, by the end of the walk my fingers had turned blue and were permanently in a bag holding position (making this most difficult to type).
For dinner we went back to the Ristorante-Pizzeria that we ate at last night. It is super close to our place, like 8 steps, and we were starving, plus the food is really good. The server remembered us and was super nice. I have a feeling that she will be seeing a lot of us this semester.
Update on the door situation. It is still impossible. The key and lock combo is circa the 16th century (its the big one on the key ring under the picture tab). To open the door you insert the key, twist to the left until it gets stuck, grab the handle (located in the middle of the door), twist key until you hear a 'click', then throw your body on the door, at which point it successfully opens. I have bruises on my hands from trying. It is the most stubborn door in the world. You can try to open it five times and will probably only be successful once. I am all for maintaining the history of places to keep the rustic look, but seriously, some things need to be updated!
A shout out to Mrs.K! You are right, shopping is a must. It was another sweltering day and my current wardrobe just won't suffice. Somehow I missed the part of the travel book saying that it would be 80-90 degrees for September. *sigh*
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Adventure Commences
The day got off to a fantastic start with my one bag weighing in at exactly 50 pounds. Huzzah (I, rather my parents, had to pay no overage fees)! Then I bid my parents ado to board my flight to Detroit. I happily scampered off to my gate while my parents were forced to embrace their sad and desolate existence sans-moi. Truth be told they actually went home, stole my car, put the top down, and then took a cruise around town. I can tell they’re really missing me.
I had a ridiculously long layover in Detroit (2 whole hours)! They have a giant fountain that shoots water, and a cherry red tram that circles above your head like a Christmas train. Most of my time there was spent people watching, as I was sitting among a bunch of Italians who were gesticulating wildly.
On the flight to Rome, a whopping 8 hour journey, I sat next to a very sweet older woman. She had just finished visiting her daughter in Ann Arbor, and was bemoaning her daughter living so far away. Our conversation was sort of choppy as she spoke broken English and I was combining French, English, and Italian. Never the less, we prevailed! I managed to talk to her about some restaurants and get some recommendations for my tenure in Rome.
Regrettably, for the entirety of the flight I was squished. The man sitting in front of me decided that the moment the wheels left the ground he would recline his seat as far back as it would go. So, I had zero personal space. It got really annoying, really fast. That, along with some weird beeping noise that happened sporadically made it nearly impossible for me to sleep. Luckily, I had an audio book and several puzzle/brain teaser things to keep me occupied.
The part that I had been dreading the most was customs. So once we loaded I was mildly apprehensive. Little did I know that would be a breeze. There was no line. I walked right up, they stamped my visa, and I went forth to baggage claim. Where I found none-other than….. Kelsey Abele!! We waited for what seemed like an eternity for my bag to arrive, and then we meandered over to the Hilton for registration for SAI.
After a long bus ride, where we (being Kelsey and I) stalled once, we arrived at our apartment to be greeted by one of our roommates, Molly. We took a quick tour of our new place. We have a fully equipped kitchen, a sitting area with a couch and a nice dining table, two bedrooms, an odd room with spare mattresses and such, a closet with cleaning supplies, and a bathroom that has a washing machine (pictures to come soon).
Clearly, after this long and tedious journey to the gorgeous Roma I was sticky and icky and gross. So, post unpacking, I took a shower. Normally, I would not talk about such things, but it is too comical to pass up. The shower is about 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet, not exaggerating. When you reach up to shampoo your hair, your elbows touch the glass. Furthermore, the shower-head fell on me twice. It was quite the experience. My roommates, however, laughed at me. Humph!
Currently, Kelsey, Molly, and I are sitting around waiting for our fourth and final roommate Erica to arrive. At which point we will go exploring. We can’t leave before hand because we can’t figure out how to unlock our door. Some nice man helped Molly in this morning, and she in turn let us in. We are going to get a tutorial by our welcome SAI person tonight. Until then, we wait in our room.
Post-Script: It is 90 degrees and is supposed to stay that way until the end of September. I only packed winter and fall things. I am doomed!
I had a ridiculously long layover in Detroit (2 whole hours)! They have a giant fountain that shoots water, and a cherry red tram that circles above your head like a Christmas train. Most of my time there was spent people watching, as I was sitting among a bunch of Italians who were gesticulating wildly.
On the flight to Rome, a whopping 8 hour journey, I sat next to a very sweet older woman. She had just finished visiting her daughter in Ann Arbor, and was bemoaning her daughter living so far away. Our conversation was sort of choppy as she spoke broken English and I was combining French, English, and Italian. Never the less, we prevailed! I managed to talk to her about some restaurants and get some recommendations for my tenure in Rome.
Regrettably, for the entirety of the flight I was squished. The man sitting in front of me decided that the moment the wheels left the ground he would recline his seat as far back as it would go. So, I had zero personal space. It got really annoying, really fast. That, along with some weird beeping noise that happened sporadically made it nearly impossible for me to sleep. Luckily, I had an audio book and several puzzle/brain teaser things to keep me occupied.
The part that I had been dreading the most was customs. So once we loaded I was mildly apprehensive. Little did I know that would be a breeze. There was no line. I walked right up, they stamped my visa, and I went forth to baggage claim. Where I found none-other than….. Kelsey Abele!! We waited for what seemed like an eternity for my bag to arrive, and then we meandered over to the Hilton for registration for SAI.
After a long bus ride, where we (being Kelsey and I) stalled once, we arrived at our apartment to be greeted by one of our roommates, Molly. We took a quick tour of our new place. We have a fully equipped kitchen, a sitting area with a couch and a nice dining table, two bedrooms, an odd room with spare mattresses and such, a closet with cleaning supplies, and a bathroom that has a washing machine (pictures to come soon).
Clearly, after this long and tedious journey to the gorgeous Roma I was sticky and icky and gross. So, post unpacking, I took a shower. Normally, I would not talk about such things, but it is too comical to pass up. The shower is about 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet, not exaggerating. When you reach up to shampoo your hair, your elbows touch the glass. Furthermore, the shower-head fell on me twice. It was quite the experience. My roommates, however, laughed at me. Humph!
Currently, Kelsey, Molly, and I are sitting around waiting for our fourth and final roommate Erica to arrive. At which point we will go exploring. We can’t leave before hand because we can’t figure out how to unlock our door. Some nice man helped Molly in this morning, and she in turn let us in. We are going to get a tutorial by our welcome SAI person tonight. Until then, we wait in our room.
Post-Script: It is 90 degrees and is supposed to stay that way until the end of September. I only packed winter and fall things. I am doomed!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Pre-Rome Ramblings
Okay, so I am not quite in Rome yet (2 days and counting) but the ramblings have begun! Which should not come as a surprise to any one who knows me... never really have been the quiet type...
Anywhoo! I have commenced packing, which I might say is quite a daunting undertaking. The idea of packing for four months using just a carry-on, suitcase, and messenger bag is enough to make even the most organized of packers shudder, but the task must be done. I am proud to say I am almost halfway there, and not a broken zipper yet! Woot!!
A scant forty-eight hours until my departure, the excitement is building! After months of planning with my devious travel companion, Kelsey, the adventure is about to begin. Providing that Irene (pesky hurricane) does not keep her stateside.
Well, my suitcases are calling my name, packing can't be put off forever *sigh*
Next post should truly be a "Roman Rambling"
Anywhoo! I have commenced packing, which I might say is quite a daunting undertaking. The idea of packing for four months using just a carry-on, suitcase, and messenger bag is enough to make even the most organized of packers shudder, but the task must be done. I am proud to say I am almost halfway there, and not a broken zipper yet! Woot!!
A scant forty-eight hours until my departure, the excitement is building! After months of planning with my devious travel companion, Kelsey, the adventure is about to begin. Providing that Irene (pesky hurricane) does not keep her stateside.
Well, my suitcases are calling my name, packing can't be put off forever *sigh*
Next post should truly be a "Roman Rambling"
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