This past week has gone by so quickly and I feel that I am quickly getting to know the city. Grocery shopping still alludes me however as I can only seem to cook for three people at a time and usually end up with a good deal of leftovers. Though I frequently find that pathways that seem to go straight inevitably do not the city has, if anything, become more charming. Even buying school books is an adventure, I have visited the Vatican several times now to try and find class books however I instead end up wandering around Rome.
When I arrived here I knew that not all Italians spoke English I am still surprised however, at how very few do speak English. Interestingly I have been mostly communicating in a butchered version of Spanish and Italian with a few English words thrown in. I can understand almost all of what is being said to me now as I have lived here for the past two weeks but my Italian is moving along very slowly.
Tonight one of my classes was cancelled so that we could watch the inauguration. Our program director had set up a projection screen and laptop to stream the CNN online showing. Instead however the wireless connection was awful and so only a few minutes before the ceremony started a few of my friends and I dashed out of the building heading for a pub that had advertised that they would show the ceremony. On our way there we ended up stumbling into another bar with a large screen projecting the inauguration. We got the most American thing we could get, beer and peanuts, and settled into seats. The event was interesting to watch in a foreign country and was definitely not as big a deal as I would have thought. The Americans who were in the bar however were all upset that the TV channel the screen was showing was Fox Network, I thought all my liberal friends would appreciate that.
Well stay in touch and much love. I hope all is well across the pond!
Sofia
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Roaming in Roma
Ciao!
Hello from Rome. Though certainly not the best person with technology I have decided to get a blog started to keep all friends and family updated. The last few days have been a fun and relaxing exploration of Rome. I live off of the Piazza Novona and while climbing the stairs up to my room isn't always fun I am rewarded with a lovely view of the Vatican dome from my window!
The people on my trip all get along fairly well and I have made some great new friends. Today was my first day of classes. my Italian class seems as though it will be a challenge. At the same time, I will certainly be in the right place to practice it.
We have mostly gone out thus far, two students cooked a dinner on Friday. Now that I am becoming adjusted to dormitory and Rome, tonight I am cooking dinner with several other people to have a relaxing night in. Chicken Mirabella and roasted potatoes are on the menu (if I can get the recipes in time) and already I am excited to cook my first meal in Italy.
This afternoon after getting a truly delicious macchiato at a nearby cafe, I stumbled upon a vegetable street vendor. For 3 euro I got beautiful peppers, mushrooms and an Italian apple (it tastes very sweet like a combination of a pear and apple). While there, I ran into an American woman and as it turns out her daughter went to Connecticut College, and now works as a paper conservator. What a small world! We exchanged numbers, so hopefully I will get a chance to take her for coffee and find out some insider information on Rome.
Well that's all for now stay in touch (email or skype).
+Sofia
Hello from Rome. Though certainly not the best person with technology I have decided to get a blog started to keep all friends and family updated. The last few days have been a fun and relaxing exploration of Rome. I live off of the Piazza Novona and while climbing the stairs up to my room isn't always fun I am rewarded with a lovely view of the Vatican dome from my window!
The people on my trip all get along fairly well and I have made some great new friends. Today was my first day of classes. my Italian class seems as though it will be a challenge. At the same time, I will certainly be in the right place to practice it.
We have mostly gone out thus far, two students cooked a dinner on Friday. Now that I am becoming adjusted to dormitory and Rome, tonight I am cooking dinner with several other people to have a relaxing night in. Chicken Mirabella and roasted potatoes are on the menu (if I can get the recipes in time) and already I am excited to cook my first meal in Italy.
This afternoon after getting a truly delicious macchiato at a nearby cafe, I stumbled upon a vegetable street vendor. For 3 euro I got beautiful peppers, mushrooms and an Italian apple (it tastes very sweet like a combination of a pear and apple). While there, I ran into an American woman and as it turns out her daughter went to Connecticut College, and now works as a paper conservator. What a small world! We exchanged numbers, so hopefully I will get a chance to take her for coffee and find out some insider information on Rome.
Well that's all for now stay in touch (email or skype).
+Sofia
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