Day two of Roma.
My roommates and I woke up this morning at 7:00 (we were determined to be on time today!), and I have been walking around Rome for the past seven hours! Time to come back to the hotel room and relax a bit before heading out for a walking tour to the other side of the Tiber River.
This morning we woke up to the soft sounds of the Romans whizzing by on their mopeds and in their Citruens outside our open window. We got dressed and went downstairs for our first Roman breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day because it's where I get my coffee fix..."black gold," baby! We were the first students there. I ate an egg, a slice of prosciutto, fruit, half a cornetto (croissant), and, of course, strong, dark caffe italiano. After the coffee, we were a bit jittery...and really hyper. We left the hotel and walked the streets a bit more (the girls decided to get another espresso down the road) before meeting up with our group for a walking tour of the Colosseum, the ruins of the Roman Forums, the Pantheon, the Arch of Constantine, Piazza Venezia, and Altare della Patria (Dad, you're probably the only person reading this who knows what those are).
The Colosseum was so impressive. I wish I knew more about architecture, but from my limited point of view it was still insanely intricate and huge. Much of it has been torn down, whether by earthquake or by the Romans to build other buildings around the city.
It was fascinating to me to hear of all of the history of Christianity and the early churches around Rome. Christians were slaughtered in the Colosseum by lions and other exotic animals brought to Rome to persecute them. Today, a beautiful cross stands in the senatorial section to commemorate their lives. I have pictures, but can't figure out how to put them on my blog yet! Ugh. Also, the pantheon, which was once a temple for all gods, now is full of only Christian monuments and frescoes. Oh, and Raphael is buried there! Sick.
Also, I got to see the prison where Peter and Paul are speculated to have been held. Ridiculously awe-inspiring.
So yesterday I wrote about how affectionate Italians are. That generalization has been tried and proven in several instances today. In front of every piazza (square/meeting place), there is at least one fashionable couple making out. You look away to avoid watching this intimate moment, and on a ledge you see a man stretched out, head on his girlfriend's lap as she strokes his hair.
After our tour, I went to a cafe for lunch with two other girls, Megan and Sara. I ate a delicious caprese panini with arugula (just for you, Mom!). We were on our way to the Trevi Fountain, but uhhh, got lost...for probably thirty minutes. I asked a vendor in Italian where the fountain was, and he chuckled and responded to me in English. I guess I have work to do!
Finally, we found the Fontana di Trevi, and it was a horrifying pickpocket hotspot. The actual fountain was gorgeous white marble with a huge Neptune looking statue. I threw a 10-cent euro coin over my left shoulder, but I can't tell you what I wished for ;)
We ran into some friends headed back to the hotel, and decided we'd later follow that general direction. Not a good idea. AGAIN, we got lost. For about forty five minutes. We went to the Piazza Barberini, and realized we went in the opposite direction of the hotel. Oops! Finally we found the hotel...and now I'm here. My roomies just came in and can't get wifi on their computers so they are headed to the internet cafe down the street. I told them I'd join, so that's where I'm headed now. Another update soon!
Firenze, Italia
The Ponte Vecchio (the Old Bridge) in Florence across the Arno River. This bridge is about two blocks away from my apartment.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Buongiorno, Roma!
Well, I made it! And it's so much better than I was anticipating.
I fought away tears as I hugged my parents in the Atlanta airport, but once I was through security and to my gate, the feeling that I have set off on my first great adventure overwhelmed me. The Lord has already been so gracious to me.
On the flight I sat next to a guy who looked about my age, and we instantly became friends. He's 21 and just got married on Tuesday! A marine, he leaves for Afghanistan in October. I have an interest in the Middle East, so I was grateful to make a new friend who is serving our country with his life.
The next flight was filled with more Italians than Americans, and every one of them was poshly dressed. The sound of the language is so beautiful...almost sing-songy. I sat next to an older Italian woman who spoke and understood very little English. I speak and understand very little Italian, so we were forced to use gestures and simple nouns to communicate. You know when you get on a plane and the person sitting next to you is foreign and won't stop coughing? Immediately I thought, "This is going to be a long flight." But over the course of those nine hours, we bonded, even though we could barely speak to each other. She offered to share everything she had with me, and grabbed my chin with her thumb and forefinger. I love the way Italians are so comfortable, so affectionate.
And then I met the ISA group in the airport. I felt immediately at ease when I saw that the students were not snobby, privileged Americans but genuine and down-to-earth Americans. Everyone is easy to talk to. Each has a sense of humor and a passion for adventure! I am so blessed. I already feel I know many of them well. Even the staff is kind and personable. So. So happy.
Yes, I have huge blisters on my heels and pinky toes.
Yes, my roommates and I took a nap and overslept fifteen minutes of our mandatory meeting.
Yes, our elevator never showed up, causing us to run down seven flights of stairs, just to watch as the bus for our first tour drove away.
But, in all of these, there is a silver lining. I'm in ROME! I can hardly believe it. This city is so rich with history. It's sleek but homey. Our hotel is about two blocks away from the Colosseum, which we will tour tomorrow.
Having missed the bus tour, I was disappointed. But, my roommates and I, Jessica and Leyla (both of whom I will live with in Florence as well), decided we should roam the city instead. We walked for I don't even KNOW how long, and ended up making a circle back to our hotel! But, we continued to a small cafe directly in front of the Colosseum. I had a sciroppo -- Milk with mint syrup. It was to die for. And, rather than eating dinner, the three of us went to a gelateria, where I got hazelnut and tiramisu gelato. I think I'm going to like it here.
Anyway, I am exhausted...it's 4PM on the East Coast, but 10 here, and I've had four hours of sleep in the past few days. I'll put up pictures soon -- this italian internet (that is free, thanks to my ridiculous hacking skills...) doesn't let me do that yet. Keep praying! Thanks for reading and caring.
I fought away tears as I hugged my parents in the Atlanta airport, but once I was through security and to my gate, the feeling that I have set off on my first great adventure overwhelmed me. The Lord has already been so gracious to me.
On the flight I sat next to a guy who looked about my age, and we instantly became friends. He's 21 and just got married on Tuesday! A marine, he leaves for Afghanistan in October. I have an interest in the Middle East, so I was grateful to make a new friend who is serving our country with his life.
The next flight was filled with more Italians than Americans, and every one of them was poshly dressed. The sound of the language is so beautiful...almost sing-songy. I sat next to an older Italian woman who spoke and understood very little English. I speak and understand very little Italian, so we were forced to use gestures and simple nouns to communicate. You know when you get on a plane and the person sitting next to you is foreign and won't stop coughing? Immediately I thought, "This is going to be a long flight." But over the course of those nine hours, we bonded, even though we could barely speak to each other. She offered to share everything she had with me, and grabbed my chin with her thumb and forefinger. I love the way Italians are so comfortable, so affectionate.
And then I met the ISA group in the airport. I felt immediately at ease when I saw that the students were not snobby, privileged Americans but genuine and down-to-earth Americans. Everyone is easy to talk to. Each has a sense of humor and a passion for adventure! I am so blessed. I already feel I know many of them well. Even the staff is kind and personable. So. So happy.
Yes, I have huge blisters on my heels and pinky toes.
Yes, my roommates and I took a nap and overslept fifteen minutes of our mandatory meeting.
Yes, our elevator never showed up, causing us to run down seven flights of stairs, just to watch as the bus for our first tour drove away.
But, in all of these, there is a silver lining. I'm in ROME! I can hardly believe it. This city is so rich with history. It's sleek but homey. Our hotel is about two blocks away from the Colosseum, which we will tour tomorrow.
Having missed the bus tour, I was disappointed. But, my roommates and I, Jessica and Leyla (both of whom I will live with in Florence as well), decided we should roam the city instead. We walked for I don't even KNOW how long, and ended up making a circle back to our hotel! But, we continued to a small cafe directly in front of the Colosseum. I had a sciroppo -- Milk with mint syrup. It was to die for. And, rather than eating dinner, the three of us went to a gelateria, where I got hazelnut and tiramisu gelato. I think I'm going to like it here.
Anyway, I am exhausted...it's 4PM on the East Coast, but 10 here, and I've had four hours of sleep in the past few days. I'll put up pictures soon -- this italian internet (that is free, thanks to my ridiculous hacking skills...) doesn't let me do that yet. Keep praying! Thanks for reading and caring.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Italia Eve
Tomorrow. At twelve. I leave for Italy...for four months. !
One of my favorite things about traveling is packing. Laying out my outfits sends visions of my European adventures to come. I imagine myself walking down the cobblestone streets in my gladiators and sundress, enjoying a scoop of gelato on my way to meet up with friends at a piazza. Hopefully I'll put up a picture of me ACTUALLY doing so.
I arrive in Rome with the group on Monday, then head to Florence for orientation on Thursday. I'll be living in an apartment ten minutes away from my school, Florence University of the Arts, and about a block away from the Ponte Vecchio (as well as Ferragamo, Prada, and others...). Is this real life?
My plans: travel as much as possible on a budget, find a Christian friend/church/campus ministry, and soak up as much culture as possible.
Would you commit to pray regularly for me while I'm gone?
-That my faith in Christ would be grow and be strengthened while abroad, and that I would be determined to find a community of believers there.
-For deep, dear friendships with people in my program.
-For safety in travels and day-to-day.
-That I would not neglect my relationships back home.
-To find joy/fun in Florence every day and to daily thank God for this blessing!
Facebook or Skype me, because I will not be able to text/call while I'm there. I hope to update my blog enough for you to feel like you're traveling with me. It may just be a picture or two or a quote, but feel free to comment.
One of my favorite things about traveling is packing. Laying out my outfits sends visions of my European adventures to come. I imagine myself walking down the cobblestone streets in my gladiators and sundress, enjoying a scoop of gelato on my way to meet up with friends at a piazza. Hopefully I'll put up a picture of me ACTUALLY doing so.
I arrive in Rome with the group on Monday, then head to Florence for orientation on Thursday. I'll be living in an apartment ten minutes away from my school, Florence University of the Arts, and about a block away from the Ponte Vecchio (as well as Ferragamo, Prada, and others...). Is this real life?
My plans: travel as much as possible on a budget, find a Christian friend/church/campus ministry, and soak up as much culture as possible.
Would you commit to pray regularly for me while I'm gone?
-That my faith in Christ would be grow and be strengthened while abroad, and that I would be determined to find a community of believers there.
-For deep, dear friendships with people in my program.
-For safety in travels and day-to-day.
-That I would not neglect my relationships back home.
-To find joy/fun in Florence every day and to daily thank God for this blessing!
Facebook or Skype me, because I will not be able to text/call while I'm there. I hope to update my blog enough for you to feel like you're traveling with me. It may just be a picture or two or a quote, but feel free to comment.
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