I have to admit, hearing "ciao bella" is a great way to start the morning. I might see a familiar face in the neighbourhood on my walk to the metro who will call out the familiar greeting, or it might be from one of the baristi at the IFAD coffee bar. It always puts a smile on my face, because the thing is, they are genuinely happy people and that is why they say it. There is also one lady at the bar at IFAD who always has a smile as well, I love seeing her and smile back as she says "Ciao cara." Italians are so endearing and happy. It doesn’t even matter if I don't always understand what the baristi are saying to me in Italian, but it always makes me smile as I see their beaming faces and hear them speak in Italian that sounds like a song.
I wish I could see more of that everywhere. It's safe to say that it is an Italian thing. Italians simply are loving people.
So, like hearing “ciao bella” in the morning, life in Rome has had small things here and there that have made a huge difference. Writing about Italian’s genuine happiness makes me also think of the closeness of the people here. Not close as in knowing each other, but just the way they treat each other, with affection. A greeting is always two “kisses” and the same with a farewell. This greeting isn’t even reserved for close friends. There have been many occasions where I have just met someone and they always give everyone kisses when they say goodbye. Also, affection is across the board and the Italian guys are so sweet too. One morning on the metro I saw a high school aged boy cross through the packed metro train to an older gentlemen and they had the hugest smiles as they greeted one another.
Seeing these things and experiencing them is because I’ve been able to actually LIVE here. It’s been fun living in an apartment with an Italian roommate and working here and thus knowing people throughout the city. I might randomly run into a friend or meet up spontaneously and they always have a huge smile on their face and then the Italian greeting. Sadly enough the greeting doesn’t really work though if the people don’t truly embrace the Italian lifestyle…I’ve contemplated it and I don’t think if it would work with the American lifestyle…it’s Italian.
Little things are happening and evidentially I am becoming more and more Italian every day. One transformation has taken place that I would have not even expected; I am in love with Acua Minerale Naturale. Who would have guessed? It all started when I was at my supervisor’s house for dinner, the drink options where wine, beer, and mineral water. They insisted on me having some wine and kept insisting on me to have more. Luckily I was able to keep it at bay because I would have been asleep in my seat if I had anymore. Thus, I reached for my only other option, the mineral water. I’ve never liked it before, but it was the only option. Then it happened, I was transformed, ended up loving it and ever since I have been addicted. Turns out mineral water is even better for you than regular water and that they recommend to drink it in the extreme heat…the little things I learn from my Italian friends (and then verify through research). Thus, now as I type I am treating myself to my favourite, S. Pellegrino Acqua Minerale Naturale.
Il mercato is definitely one of my favorite parts of living here and especially of working at IFAD. There is the Testaccio market which sometimes I frequent on Saturday mornings, but my main mercato is the one close to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My vegetable vendors always smile when they see me approaching. We chat in broken Italian and they know my usual purchases. They just continue to hand me the little brown sacks that I fill up with fruit and vegetables. It is unbelievable how cheap it is and how delicious the food is. As I have already explained, I am addicted to the tomatoes. The tomatoes have changed while I have been here. The small ones are no longer in season and now they are a different type, still on a vine, but larger. Other fruits and vegetables that I had at the beginning of my stay here are no longer in season. I just have to adapt to what they have. It is funny to think of how much asparagus I ate when I got here, now I haven’t seen asparagus for ages. A new fruit that is recently in season that I have loved are tiny green pears; they are super cute and delicious.
Of course the people in IFAD have made a huge difference too. I have no idea what I would have done without meeting my amaaaaazing Italian friend in IFAD. We are so close and it’s scary to think about saying goodbye. We have had so many fun times in IFAD together and fun times on adventures through Rome. Of course my IFAD experience has mainly been shaped by my supervisor and her assistant. They were fabulous and I can’t imagine a better team. Last week my supervisor left for holiday, thus we already had our goodbye. It was sad and harder than I thought, but I think it was good to say goodbye before I actually left IFAD. It has made it an easing process. It was exciting to hear her feedback after months of work; I wasn’t expecting all the great things she had to say about my time here. It was great to hear, and now who knows what the future will bring!
This week our Portfolio performance report for Eastern and Southern Africa was published which was quite the excitement for my “team.” It is what was started when I first came here and the main reason I was brought in. Seeing the hard copy finally finished is so exciting, I can see my work in it and it looks so simple, but I remember the months of hard work that it took to get to that point. It’s funny now too because I can go through the report and understand what it is all about. My first week here I was given last year’s report to read and it didn’t make nearly as much sense as it does now. It’s truly been a learning experience. It’s going to be an adjustment to not talk about loans, grants, and missions when I get home. I’ve come to know ESA so much better and hopefully in the future I can even go there to see some of the projects taking place.
Since the report was published things have been closing up. I worked on some other projects for the Regional Economist and worked on another assignment dealing with, of course, loans and grants. Also I get to do some research for a mission my supervisor is going on later in the Fall. It’s all exciting to be wrapping up, but surreal at the same time.
Along with things wrapping up, I have a three day weekend coming up, which was just turned into a four day weekend the other day. Thus, after weeks of looking for accommodations in Cinque Terre and then expanding my options to pretty much all of Italy and the surrounding islands, and getting stressed with work on top of this and bad headaches…I found a trip down to the south of Italy with the same company as the three day trip I took in Ireland. The trip in Ireland was tons of fun and I met so many great (young) people, so hopefully this one will prove to be fun as well. It meets in Rome (fantastic and saves me lots of money) and takes me down to Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, and Amalfi. Saturday will be spent all day in Capri on our own, so I am PUMPED for that. Relaxation, thank you very much. Maybe I will meet some great people or maybe not. I don’t mind adventures on my own, as they always have an amazing twist in them, so it should be a good time. Is it strange that I am also just looking forward to sitting on the bus, being taken care of, and reading?! The past three months have been tiring taking care of everything; I just kind of want to be whisked away.
(Side note as to why no available accommodations: all the Italians in the big hot cities leave this weekend for holiday, it’s literally eerie how empty Rome is right now, everything is shut down. I’ve never seen anything like it before.)
So, at the moment I am looking forward to Capri. Also, who knew four years later I would be returning to Pompeii and Amalfi. I’m looking forward to that bus ride again on the coast :) Too bad Granny Riffel won’t be there to sit next to be and be afraid of us falling to our death!
Of course I have excitement before I leave for my trip tomorrow. My best friend here in Italy (my Italian friend from work) and I have to celebrate our last night together. I woke up this morning upset with the thought of leaving her and she too is so sad. It’s crazy how close we have become. Her mom even said it is as if we have been friends for a lifetime.
Well, I do believe this is the longest post yet. Hopefully it makes sense as it was the result of typing here and there at different times and actually different days. I was able to finish it up now with the relevant upcoming events. Events like slicing my toe open and other things happened in between which made finishing this a bit more difficult. All the crazy things that have happened that I can’t even keep track of!
Ciao ciao and can’t wait to write about adventures in the South!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Work at the United Nations
A lot of my blog has been more about my roaming in Roma than where I actually spend the majority of my time, at the UN. I suppose this is because it is hard to write about work in a blog, especially when it is so much more fun to get my mind off of work and to write about adventures throughout the city. However, work is a different adventure every day. Waking up around 6:45 and then getting home at 6; long and tiring days. Sometimes I go to work knowing exactly what to expect. I have been working on several projects while I am here, and some days I know that I will be working specifically on those. Other days I wait for feedback on my projects, thus I end up doing other work that needs to be taken care of while being slightly nervous to get the response on my work.
The projects deal with the loans, grants, and accounting of all the different projects in my division, Eastern and Southern Africa. I’ve learned so much finance and accounting wise as well as about the workings of the UN. I also have been able to learn more about projects and what is going on in the countries. Finance is the backbone of all the projects and it is beneficial for me to be learning that side of things. Sometimes people want to neglect the details of it, but it’s going to come up in every part of the work for the country projects.
Aside from the actual work I do, I also have access to so much information on the IFAD intranet. It’s a fantastic opportunity to read up on different things when I get the chance. I love reading about the agricultural projects taking place that all the work here goes into. IFAD really is enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty. The president sometimes blogs as well; he just wrote an entry that I think everyone should read too. It’s short, sweet, I love it, and you can find it here.
After being here for more than two months, it is amazing how much I have learned, how much I have become comfortable with the work, and how homey the place has become. I feel like I have been here for ages. I have even gotten comfy in my clothes. A couple of weeks ago I decided to invest in comfortable shoes to walk to work in. I resisted the temptation to buy THEM the whole time, but once I tried them on I knew I had to get them for the benefit of my hurting feet…Birkenstocks. EVERYONE in the city wears them. It is unbelievable. With the arrival of the heat I started to see people not only wearing them to work, but wearing them at work. After my investment into the world of Birkenstock, it started out with me just walking my mile to the metro in them, and then it slowly became me never changing out of them. Black pencil skirt with Birkenstocks? Yes please.
Work as also gotten comfortable with not only how much I have learned with the projects and wearing comfy clothes, but also because of the people I have met. I came into this thinking I might meet some interesting co-workers; never did I think I would be making close friends. It sounds cheesy when I write that, but it is true. They are from so many different places around the world. Recently I realized that I hardly speak with Americans. It was funny to actually get together with Gina (from L.A.) and talk about “our home” even though our homes are so far apart in the states.
Here I spend time with my closest friend who is Italian/ Swiss, and also hang out with a friend from Holland, others from Italy, Africa, England, Jordan, Kuwait, Germany, and a bunch of different places. Lately I have spent time saying goodbye to them. I didn’t know how blue this would make me feel. After becoming close friends in and outside of work and then having to say goodbye is difficult. They have been apart one of my biggest adventures and have been an essential part of my time here.
So lately that is what I have been thinking about. I LOVE it here and have a good amount of time left so I am excited. It’s just weird to say goodbye even before I leave.
Enough sentimentalism; time to think about all the work and fun that is yet to come! More work adventures to take place, more out of work surprises along the way. Ciao ciao!
The projects deal with the loans, grants, and accounting of all the different projects in my division, Eastern and Southern Africa. I’ve learned so much finance and accounting wise as well as about the workings of the UN. I also have been able to learn more about projects and what is going on in the countries. Finance is the backbone of all the projects and it is beneficial for me to be learning that side of things. Sometimes people want to neglect the details of it, but it’s going to come up in every part of the work for the country projects.
Aside from the actual work I do, I also have access to so much information on the IFAD intranet. It’s a fantastic opportunity to read up on different things when I get the chance. I love reading about the agricultural projects taking place that all the work here goes into. IFAD really is enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty. The president sometimes blogs as well; he just wrote an entry that I think everyone should read too. It’s short, sweet, I love it, and you can find it here.
After being here for more than two months, it is amazing how much I have learned, how much I have become comfortable with the work, and how homey the place has become. I feel like I have been here for ages. I have even gotten comfy in my clothes. A couple of weeks ago I decided to invest in comfortable shoes to walk to work in. I resisted the temptation to buy THEM the whole time, but once I tried them on I knew I had to get them for the benefit of my hurting feet…Birkenstocks. EVERYONE in the city wears them. It is unbelievable. With the arrival of the heat I started to see people not only wearing them to work, but wearing them at work. After my investment into the world of Birkenstock, it started out with me just walking my mile to the metro in them, and then it slowly became me never changing out of them. Black pencil skirt with Birkenstocks? Yes please.
Work as also gotten comfortable with not only how much I have learned with the projects and wearing comfy clothes, but also because of the people I have met. I came into this thinking I might meet some interesting co-workers; never did I think I would be making close friends. It sounds cheesy when I write that, but it is true. They are from so many different places around the world. Recently I realized that I hardly speak with Americans. It was funny to actually get together with Gina (from L.A.) and talk about “our home” even though our homes are so far apart in the states.
Here I spend time with my closest friend who is Italian/ Swiss, and also hang out with a friend from Holland, others from Italy, Africa, England, Jordan, Kuwait, Germany, and a bunch of different places. Lately I have spent time saying goodbye to them. I didn’t know how blue this would make me feel. After becoming close friends in and outside of work and then having to say goodbye is difficult. They have been apart one of my biggest adventures and have been an essential part of my time here.
So lately that is what I have been thinking about. I LOVE it here and have a good amount of time left so I am excited. It’s just weird to say goodbye even before I leave.
Enough sentimentalism; time to think about all the work and fun that is yet to come! More work adventures to take place, more out of work surprises along the way. Ciao ciao!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Fountains, restrictions, and fun times.
With the abundance of fountains in Rome you would think there could possibly be a swimming pool for people to swim in. When I think about it, some of these fountains are like fancy ornate pools. Thus, with the arrival of the intense heat, my Floridian instinct is starting to take over me: when hot, jump into water. The heat in Rome is like Florida, it is hot, but you can live; however, add to that business clothes and getting on a metro cramped with other hot sweaty people and you start to wonder if you are going to make it. When commuting home in the afternoon, I just want to get off of the metro where all of us passengers have created a pool of sweat, and fling myself into the nearest fountain. Too bad I would receive a fine. Restrictions...
On a recent trip outside of Rome to Orvieto with Gina, a fabulous friend from L.A., we ended up on a bus packed with people in the intense heat. I was excited to get a move on it considering the stagnate air and the unusual proximity to the people around us; however, the bus had other plans...it was not starting back up. Thus, Gina and I stared at each other with tired delirious faces while getting entertainment from the French couple sitting next to us. The couple, who even though they knew we were American, continued to engage us in their conversation in French. At one point, I was leaning over laughing and all the sudden got a spray of something in my face. First my reaction was of fear of what was being sprayed at me by this little French lady, then I realized it was something I had never seen before, a can similar to spray on sunscreen, that sprays cooling water. Gina and I started laughing even more as the lady continued to spray us down. Funny memories on a nice trip outside of Rome.
Delirious laughing from heat and tiredness is a common occurrence now. The day after the Orvieto trip, I went on a trip out to Tivoli with two friends from IFAD. There we visited Villa Adriana (Hadrian's villa) and Villa d'Este. Thankfully we had been told to go to Adriana first and then Este. Adriana is an amazing estate that was created by the Emperor Hadrian. Full of ruins and little ponds we spent our time roaming around, taking pictures, and staying out of the sun. It is a huge piece of land that made it so we didn't see anyone else while touring. When we did come upon other tourists we would quickly ask if they could take our picture, because who knew when we would see someone else again.
After Villa Adriana we made our way to Villa d'Este. It is an fabulous villa right in Tivoli with 500 fountains. It was gorgeous! I was in heaven with the cool breeze coming off all the water and the huge trees providing shade. There we had a picnic lunch and took in the fountains and the sound which reminded me of waterfalls in North Carolina. We wandered around the much smaller villa, took pictures, and then decided to do what we saw so many others doing, find a spot in the shade on the lawn and take a nap. Two days of touring had worn out my body. It was time to recharge a bit and then head home to Rome.
After heading home we had to recharge some more because that same night after the day of our self-guided tour in Tivoli, was the World Cup final. Up to this point we had been watching the matches at the FIFA Fan Fest in Villa Borghese, at my friend's apartment with her family, or at restaurants in the center. This time my friend from Jordan (who lives close to my place) and I opted for watching it at a small restaurant close by. She had been on the Tivoli day trip with me, so we wanted to get maximum rest time in between then and the game.
The game proved to be fun despite the lack of scoring. The restaurant was cute, and the people around us were fun. However, soon sleep overtook us and we had to leave at the end of the 90 minutes, thus missing the final goal, but excited to hear from my apartment cheers and excitement that Spain won. After all the other teams we had decided to cheer for during the WC had all lost in their matches, it was nice to finally choose to cheer for what turned out to be the winning team. I guess we should have listened to Paul the Octopus the whole time, ha.
The weekend heat is counteracted by the cool indoors of the IFAD building. Of course I would rather be outside, but from 8:30 till 5 Monday through Friday my time is spent indoors...living out my dream internship. It's still going well, learning is my favorite part. So many of the country programme managers go on missions to Africa, thus every week different people are always missing and different people are coming back. I feel at home in the UN though and I know most people in my division. It makes the work day fun to say hi to everyone and get to talk with different people. Everyone is fabulous.
This past work week flew by. Due to the fact that my friend from Jordan is leaving next week we decided to pack everyday after work with fun. Some of the fun activities that took place: going to Gianicolo hill to picnic and see the sunset over Rome, Musei Capitolini and dinner at my favorite restaurant, and the Colosseo. This is all filled in with errand running, market hopping, random cooking, and visits with other friends. All a lot of fun. I don't know what I am going to do when she leaves.
Now it is time for the weekend. Time to clean the apartment before my roommate returns from Ireland, time to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before my ticket expires, and time to just get some rest. It has been a fun and tiring week! Oh, and it is also time to go to the beach where I can jump in the water and not be fined :) Ciao ciao e baciooooooooooooo.
On a recent trip outside of Rome to Orvieto with Gina, a fabulous friend from L.A., we ended up on a bus packed with people in the intense heat. I was excited to get a move on it considering the stagnate air and the unusual proximity to the people around us; however, the bus had other plans...it was not starting back up. Thus, Gina and I stared at each other with tired delirious faces while getting entertainment from the French couple sitting next to us. The couple, who even though they knew we were American, continued to engage us in their conversation in French. At one point, I was leaning over laughing and all the sudden got a spray of something in my face. First my reaction was of fear of what was being sprayed at me by this little French lady, then I realized it was something I had never seen before, a can similar to spray on sunscreen, that sprays cooling water. Gina and I started laughing even more as the lady continued to spray us down. Funny memories on a nice trip outside of Rome.
Delirious laughing from heat and tiredness is a common occurrence now. The day after the Orvieto trip, I went on a trip out to Tivoli with two friends from IFAD. There we visited Villa Adriana (Hadrian's villa) and Villa d'Este. Thankfully we had been told to go to Adriana first and then Este. Adriana is an amazing estate that was created by the Emperor Hadrian. Full of ruins and little ponds we spent our time roaming around, taking pictures, and staying out of the sun. It is a huge piece of land that made it so we didn't see anyone else while touring. When we did come upon other tourists we would quickly ask if they could take our picture, because who knew when we would see someone else again.
After Villa Adriana we made our way to Villa d'Este. It is an fabulous villa right in Tivoli with 500 fountains. It was gorgeous! I was in heaven with the cool breeze coming off all the water and the huge trees providing shade. There we had a picnic lunch and took in the fountains and the sound which reminded me of waterfalls in North Carolina. We wandered around the much smaller villa, took pictures, and then decided to do what we saw so many others doing, find a spot in the shade on the lawn and take a nap. Two days of touring had worn out my body. It was time to recharge a bit and then head home to Rome.
After heading home we had to recharge some more because that same night after the day of our self-guided tour in Tivoli, was the World Cup final. Up to this point we had been watching the matches at the FIFA Fan Fest in Villa Borghese, at my friend's apartment with her family, or at restaurants in the center. This time my friend from Jordan (who lives close to my place) and I opted for watching it at a small restaurant close by. She had been on the Tivoli day trip with me, so we wanted to get maximum rest time in between then and the game.
The game proved to be fun despite the lack of scoring. The restaurant was cute, and the people around us were fun. However, soon sleep overtook us and we had to leave at the end of the 90 minutes, thus missing the final goal, but excited to hear from my apartment cheers and excitement that Spain won. After all the other teams we had decided to cheer for during the WC had all lost in their matches, it was nice to finally choose to cheer for what turned out to be the winning team. I guess we should have listened to Paul the Octopus the whole time, ha.
The weekend heat is counteracted by the cool indoors of the IFAD building. Of course I would rather be outside, but from 8:30 till 5 Monday through Friday my time is spent indoors...living out my dream internship. It's still going well, learning is my favorite part. So many of the country programme managers go on missions to Africa, thus every week different people are always missing and different people are coming back. I feel at home in the UN though and I know most people in my division. It makes the work day fun to say hi to everyone and get to talk with different people. Everyone is fabulous.
This past work week flew by. Due to the fact that my friend from Jordan is leaving next week we decided to pack everyday after work with fun. Some of the fun activities that took place: going to Gianicolo hill to picnic and see the sunset over Rome, Musei Capitolini and dinner at my favorite restaurant, and the Colosseo. This is all filled in with errand running, market hopping, random cooking, and visits with other friends. All a lot of fun. I don't know what I am going to do when she leaves.
Now it is time for the weekend. Time to clean the apartment before my roommate returns from Ireland, time to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill before my ticket expires, and time to just get some rest. It has been a fun and tiring week! Oh, and it is also time to go to the beach where I can jump in the water and not be fined :) Ciao ciao e baciooooooooooooo.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
A Taste of my Favorite Place
My favorite street performer in Piazza Navona is the finger puppet guy. I heard about him from friends and they said that for sure I would see him. I had no clue as to what they were talking about and how a person who has finger puppets could be so entertaining. Well...I have seen him there three times now and he is hilarious every time. He loves seeing us laugh, and always draws a crowd. He even likes it when we take pictures and video. He is more out there to share his unique talent than to get money from tourists. Everyone loves him. Here is a special bit that he was especially excited for.
Piazza Navona makes me happy.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
CatchUp
Life here has been busy; lately it has been difficult to keep up with myself. Thus, my body evidentially decided to give into sickness. It is the 7th day of full on sickness, and as much as it kills me to rest…that is what I have been forcing myself to do today. Tomorrow is the doctor; hopefully something good will come out of that.
An update since injured feet: My feet have been doing much better. Instead of walking to places and then walking around at my destination, I now try to take a bus or metro to my destination. My feet are much happier, and in the long run I get to spend more time at my destination.
One relaxing adventure was a trip to the beach. It was a fun experience; however, being used to gorgeous Florida beaches…I will probably not go back to the Roman beach. Black sand is not my thing. It was a fun time though to get away from the center of Rome, take public transportation all the way there, and enjoy the day with friends.
The evening of the beach day was the going away party for one of my lovely friends from work. It was a nice get together at her apartment where we had dinner on the roof/patio while eating pizza from a local pizza oven where we saw them make the pizza in a brick wood burning oven. The night was actually cold outside, which just goes to show how Rome has had ridic weather this summer. I couldn’t believe I was actually enjoying this amazing night with friends on a rooftop in Rome. It was perfect…although it wasn’t perfect. The fact that one of our close friends from work was leaving made it sad and so hard to say goodbye. Let’s just hope there will be a reunion in London one day.
The week before the weekend of beach fun was the first World Cup match of Italy. This now has different perspective writing from two weeks later. Rome is home of the 2006 World Cup Champs and home of crazy football fans, thus Rome is one of the few locations in the world that has an official FIFA Fan Fest. The Fan Fest has a huge screen showing the matches in Villa Borghese with tents set up with different activities going on. For the first Italy match we decided to meet up after work at the FIFA fan fest. We got there half an hour before the start of the match. There were hundreds of swarming Italians. It was quite the spectacle. We wove ourselves through the sea of Italians sitting on the turf in front of the screen and wedged ourselves Indian style in between all the people. Thank goodness the people stayed sitting for the match. Thus, we enjoyed the match watching with hundreds of other people and cheering on the azzuri (Italian team). When Italy scored in the second half, everyone FLEW up screaming, clapping, while fireworks started to go off. It was a confusion of happiness. The match ended up in a draw and we all went home tired yet happy. It was a fun way to spend the evening after work.
Since then as everyone knows, the azzuri did not advance to the next round, and the Italians have thus been furious with their less than superb team. The US on the other hand proved they have football skill by moving on to the next round. I watched their second round match with friends at the apartment of one of my close friends from work. That game was last night, and it was nice to relax and watch the game inside (especially feeling sick, it was nice to sit in a chair with hot tea rather than amongst a crowd).
Other than world cup news is party news. This past week was the week of two party events, my 21st birthday and the President’s annual garden party. The first one was on a work night; however, we had fun none the less. My birthday was fun at work with me choosing to have lunch outside of IFAD at a cute sandwich stand with outdoor seating. After sandwiches we all got gelato and slowly made our walk back to IFAD. Everyone at work who knew it was my birthday was really nice and overall it was a relaxing day at work. After coming home, I got ready for dinner with girls from work, a friend from back home who was studying in Rome, and another friend from the states who I met in Rome. I met up with a girl from work who lives close to me and we made our way together to the center to the restaurant for dinner. We ate at a restaurant, recommended by a friend who grew up in Rome, which has delicious pasta. I had amazing eggplant pasta and the other girls all got other different types of pasta or pizza. We ended up passing around plates and trying everyone’s dish. It was a fun time and made even more entertaining with the Italians next to us who were also celebrating a birthday. They were in love with the fact that it was my birthday as well. They wanted to meet up the next day for a world cup match, but we all had to explain that we work at the United Nations and don’t have our days free. The one who was celebrating his birthday then proceeded to tell a joke. They were a hilarious group and made the night even more fun.
After dinner some of us walked to the Spanish Steps and took some pictures, talked and then headed our separate ways to go home and get ready for the next work day.
Friday was the President’s garden party. All staff regardless of contract type were invited. My friends and I were all excited, RSVPed the previous week and had our tickets ready to go. After work on Friday we left in my friend’s car and went to the party. The party had started earlier and we had the option to leave work early; however, we decided we didn’t need three full hours of appetizers. The president lives outside of the center of Rome, thus he has space and a lovely garden. The night was tons of fun and consisted of fabulous appetizers, a gelato bar (we decided to forgo gelato for all the other things there), champagne/wine bar (this sick girl was able to just get orange juice), an array of delicious dishes for dinner, a great table of desserts which I am pretty sure we tried every one, and after all the food all the staff getting up and tearing up the dance floor. Luckily we had heard of the food that was to be served and we prepped by eating a small lunch. After the party we got back into my friends car, put the top down, and had an amazing drive back into the center of Rome. I still can’t believe that night really happened. One year ago I would have never believe these sorts of things would be happening to me right now. Who would have ever guessed I would spend my 21st birthday in Rome and later on party it up with coworkers from the UN?!
Well…it’s time to enjoy the abnormally cool weather here in Rome, and get ready for a new work week. Enjoy the pictures which explain my life in Rome better than I ever could.
An update since injured feet: My feet have been doing much better. Instead of walking to places and then walking around at my destination, I now try to take a bus or metro to my destination. My feet are much happier, and in the long run I get to spend more time at my destination.
One relaxing adventure was a trip to the beach. It was a fun experience; however, being used to gorgeous Florida beaches…I will probably not go back to the Roman beach. Black sand is not my thing. It was a fun time though to get away from the center of Rome, take public transportation all the way there, and enjoy the day with friends.
The evening of the beach day was the going away party for one of my lovely friends from work. It was a nice get together at her apartment where we had dinner on the roof/patio while eating pizza from a local pizza oven where we saw them make the pizza in a brick wood burning oven. The night was actually cold outside, which just goes to show how Rome has had ridic weather this summer. I couldn’t believe I was actually enjoying this amazing night with friends on a rooftop in Rome. It was perfect…although it wasn’t perfect. The fact that one of our close friends from work was leaving made it sad and so hard to say goodbye. Let’s just hope there will be a reunion in London one day.
The week before the weekend of beach fun was the first World Cup match of Italy. This now has different perspective writing from two weeks later. Rome is home of the 2006 World Cup Champs and home of crazy football fans, thus Rome is one of the few locations in the world that has an official FIFA Fan Fest. The Fan Fest has a huge screen showing the matches in Villa Borghese with tents set up with different activities going on. For the first Italy match we decided to meet up after work at the FIFA fan fest. We got there half an hour before the start of the match. There were hundreds of swarming Italians. It was quite the spectacle. We wove ourselves through the sea of Italians sitting on the turf in front of the screen and wedged ourselves Indian style in between all the people. Thank goodness the people stayed sitting for the match. Thus, we enjoyed the match watching with hundreds of other people and cheering on the azzuri (Italian team). When Italy scored in the second half, everyone FLEW up screaming, clapping, while fireworks started to go off. It was a confusion of happiness. The match ended up in a draw and we all went home tired yet happy. It was a fun way to spend the evening after work.
Since then as everyone knows, the azzuri did not advance to the next round, and the Italians have thus been furious with their less than superb team. The US on the other hand proved they have football skill by moving on to the next round. I watched their second round match with friends at the apartment of one of my close friends from work. That game was last night, and it was nice to relax and watch the game inside (especially feeling sick, it was nice to sit in a chair with hot tea rather than amongst a crowd).
Other than world cup news is party news. This past week was the week of two party events, my 21st birthday and the President’s annual garden party. The first one was on a work night; however, we had fun none the less. My birthday was fun at work with me choosing to have lunch outside of IFAD at a cute sandwich stand with outdoor seating. After sandwiches we all got gelato and slowly made our walk back to IFAD. Everyone at work who knew it was my birthday was really nice and overall it was a relaxing day at work. After coming home, I got ready for dinner with girls from work, a friend from back home who was studying in Rome, and another friend from the states who I met in Rome. I met up with a girl from work who lives close to me and we made our way together to the center to the restaurant for dinner. We ate at a restaurant, recommended by a friend who grew up in Rome, which has delicious pasta. I had amazing eggplant pasta and the other girls all got other different types of pasta or pizza. We ended up passing around plates and trying everyone’s dish. It was a fun time and made even more entertaining with the Italians next to us who were also celebrating a birthday. They were in love with the fact that it was my birthday as well. They wanted to meet up the next day for a world cup match, but we all had to explain that we work at the United Nations and don’t have our days free. The one who was celebrating his birthday then proceeded to tell a joke. They were a hilarious group and made the night even more fun.
After dinner some of us walked to the Spanish Steps and took some pictures, talked and then headed our separate ways to go home and get ready for the next work day.
Friday was the President’s garden party. All staff regardless of contract type were invited. My friends and I were all excited, RSVPed the previous week and had our tickets ready to go. After work on Friday we left in my friend’s car and went to the party. The party had started earlier and we had the option to leave work early; however, we decided we didn’t need three full hours of appetizers. The president lives outside of the center of Rome, thus he has space and a lovely garden. The night was tons of fun and consisted of fabulous appetizers, a gelato bar (we decided to forgo gelato for all the other things there), champagne/wine bar (this sick girl was able to just get orange juice), an array of delicious dishes for dinner, a great table of desserts which I am pretty sure we tried every one, and after all the food all the staff getting up and tearing up the dance floor. Luckily we had heard of the food that was to be served and we prepped by eating a small lunch. After the party we got back into my friends car, put the top down, and had an amazing drive back into the center of Rome. I still can’t believe that night really happened. One year ago I would have never believe these sorts of things would be happening to me right now. Who would have ever guessed I would spend my 21st birthday in Rome and later on party it up with coworkers from the UN?!
Well…it’s time to enjoy the abnormally cool weather here in Rome, and get ready for a new work week. Enjoy the pictures which explain my life in Rome better than I ever could.
First Italy match of the World Cup
FIFA fan fest
Birthday Dinner
Spanish Steps
at night for my birthday.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Injured Feet
My feet and ankles are in pain…they hurt while I sleep and when I wake up in the morning. I’ve obviously injured them and especially the left one…when anything touches the top of it, pain shoots through my foot. I’ve never realized how important feet are. Without them in top condition I’m stranded.
Thus, I dedicate this post to my feet which have taken me across four weeks of adventure. They are asking me for a break…and for now I will let them rest, even though all I want to do is go walk all over Rome.
Since my last post, my feet have taken me so many different places and on so many different adventures. Even though it may not be the best for my feet’s health, I just keep going. Here are some of the adventures that subsequently have brought them to this state:
My feet take me on the same path every morning to the metro at colosseo. I pass through the neighborhood loving every moment. Maybe I don’t want to be going to work at 7:30 in the morning, but walking through Roma on the way to work is a dream come true. I get to pass by the neighborhood Cornetteria (bakery, they never close, freshest pastries of my life), Fruttivendolo (fruit and vegetable vendor), local Bar (café), Meat and Wine shop, the Forno (fresh bread), and then of course the coliseum. I’ve now passed by these places for a month. This past week my dream came true…the locals finally noticed me. On Monday morning the locals outside of the shops who congregate outside the shops said Buongiorno. This made me smile; I didn’t think too much into it, I thought maybe they were just saying hi, not necessarily saying hi since they had noticed me walk by every morning, even though I had noticed them. Tuesday morning I was approaching the usual group along with the BIG dog that congregates in the same area. They all said buongiorno, making me smile beyond belief….THEN they started talking to me in Italian. I mean…who would guess that someone who walks by every morning in business clothes doesn’t speak Italian? I then smiled sheepishly, and they all realized I wasn’t fluent. Then we all spoke in slow Italian together, and they got the message that I speak English, yet we still all spoke in Italian. I smiled and said “Mi piace palare in italiano” (I like to speak in Italian). Then they responded by saying we will speak every morning in Italian. This made me so happy, and then as I walked through the group they all shouted “Ciao.” I felt like I was in a movie. A dream come true.
The next morning I was excited to walk to the metro looking forward to practicing some Italian with the locals, never did I expect what happened. As I approached the area, I saw the big dog sitting outside of the bar; I slowed my pace and glanced in. There was the group, they all smiled, and one shouted “Ciao Alessia.” Then they INSISTED on getting me a coffee. I was so surprised. I had only expected to say hi and say a few things as I walked by. Thus, to my surprise I was swept into the bar, presented a coffee and then we subsequently chatted it up at the bar. Combined with the fact that I was still waking up and being shocked by their kindness, I just stood and smiled…thus not too much Italian was said on my end of the conversation on Wednesday morning.
Therefore, for Thursday morning I was prepared. I knew to expect more talk and possibly another coffee. Thursday morning didn’t disappoint. As I walked by their faces lit up and they bought me a cappuccino. They sure do know how to make me smile, coffee and Italian…plus the cute HUGE dog. My mornings are now 1000 times better and getting out of bed in the morning got a lot easier.
Despite my tired feet, I always love to wander around the historic center of Rome. I take the metro all the way to Flamino and then slowly make my way back home. On one occasion I came across an English speaking church. Due to the fact of missing my church back home in the ville, I woke up on Sunday and made my way out to the church. The church was packed and it was fun to sing some familiar church songs. It may have not been exactly what I like, but it was a refreshing Sunday morning. That Sunday after church the congregation was having their annual picnic in Villa Borghese (the huge park in Rome). Picnics in parks can never go wrong, so I journeyed to the park with a group from the church. On the picnic pilgrimage I met a girl from New Zealand who is living in Rome as an au pair. We chatted it up on the way there and then enjoyed the beyond my imagination Italian potluck picnic. We then made plans to meet up later on in the week. It’s always amazing to make a new friend in Rome.
That Sunday afternoon I journeyed all the way back from Villa Borghese home (even though I had told my feet I wouldn’t do it again…now I have to promise my feet I will never do that again). My feet were in pain on the way home, so I walked up to my nearby park to relax. Upon entering the park I saw all the locals reclining on the sloping grass. Some were picnicking and others napping. Thus, I found a good napping spot, laid down, and 45 minutes later woke up with to a lovely breeze and the best view of the coliseum. I walked home smiling all the way, another lovely weekend.
The latest adventure which brought my feet to this ultimate state of injury was yesterday’s 8 hour adventure to the Vatican. No, I didn’t wait in line at all; I just spent THAT much time there. Some friends from work and I made an 8:30 reservation at the museum, thus we walked right in bypassing the long line which I remember vividly from standing in it when I came to Rome with the family 5 years ago. Armed with my Rick Steves’ Rome guide, Rick Steves’ downloaded podcast of the Sistine Chapel, and the museum audio guide, my two friends and I left Italy and entered the smallest country in the world. The Vatican proved to be overwhelming; thus we took each section at a time with no rush. Luckily it was a nice day, so the sun and a breeze came through the open windows. It was a relaxing and intense learning day all together. The whole time I just kept thinking how surreal it was to be back. Five years ago when I saw the Sistine Chapel, I never thought I would be fortunate enough to return. Here I was, once again roaming the massive hallways lined with art and then ultimately gazing up at the most magnificent piece of art by a single artist, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
After making it back to my apartment after the 8 hour adventure, I perched myself on my bed and never left. My feet were about to commit feet suicide and disown my body.
Thank you feet for not falling off and for taking me on many adventures across my dream city, please feel better soon.
Thus, I dedicate this post to my feet which have taken me across four weeks of adventure. They are asking me for a break…and for now I will let them rest, even though all I want to do is go walk all over Rome.
Since my last post, my feet have taken me so many different places and on so many different adventures. Even though it may not be the best for my feet’s health, I just keep going. Here are some of the adventures that subsequently have brought them to this state:
My feet take me on the same path every morning to the metro at colosseo. I pass through the neighborhood loving every moment. Maybe I don’t want to be going to work at 7:30 in the morning, but walking through Roma on the way to work is a dream come true. I get to pass by the neighborhood Cornetteria (bakery, they never close, freshest pastries of my life), Fruttivendolo (fruit and vegetable vendor), local Bar (café), Meat and Wine shop, the Forno (fresh bread), and then of course the coliseum. I’ve now passed by these places for a month. This past week my dream came true…the locals finally noticed me. On Monday morning the locals outside of the shops who congregate outside the shops said Buongiorno. This made me smile; I didn’t think too much into it, I thought maybe they were just saying hi, not necessarily saying hi since they had noticed me walk by every morning, even though I had noticed them. Tuesday morning I was approaching the usual group along with the BIG dog that congregates in the same area. They all said buongiorno, making me smile beyond belief….THEN they started talking to me in Italian. I mean…who would guess that someone who walks by every morning in business clothes doesn’t speak Italian? I then smiled sheepishly, and they all realized I wasn’t fluent. Then we all spoke in slow Italian together, and they got the message that I speak English, yet we still all spoke in Italian. I smiled and said “Mi piace palare in italiano” (I like to speak in Italian). Then they responded by saying we will speak every morning in Italian. This made me so happy, and then as I walked through the group they all shouted “Ciao.” I felt like I was in a movie. A dream come true.
The next morning I was excited to walk to the metro looking forward to practicing some Italian with the locals, never did I expect what happened. As I approached the area, I saw the big dog sitting outside of the bar; I slowed my pace and glanced in. There was the group, they all smiled, and one shouted “Ciao Alessia.” Then they INSISTED on getting me a coffee. I was so surprised. I had only expected to say hi and say a few things as I walked by. Thus, to my surprise I was swept into the bar, presented a coffee and then we subsequently chatted it up at the bar. Combined with the fact that I was still waking up and being shocked by their kindness, I just stood and smiled…thus not too much Italian was said on my end of the conversation on Wednesday morning.
Therefore, for Thursday morning I was prepared. I knew to expect more talk and possibly another coffee. Thursday morning didn’t disappoint. As I walked by their faces lit up and they bought me a cappuccino. They sure do know how to make me smile, coffee and Italian…plus the cute HUGE dog. My mornings are now 1000 times better and getting out of bed in the morning got a lot easier.
Despite my tired feet, I always love to wander around the historic center of Rome. I take the metro all the way to Flamino and then slowly make my way back home. On one occasion I came across an English speaking church. Due to the fact of missing my church back home in the ville, I woke up on Sunday and made my way out to the church. The church was packed and it was fun to sing some familiar church songs. It may have not been exactly what I like, but it was a refreshing Sunday morning. That Sunday after church the congregation was having their annual picnic in Villa Borghese (the huge park in Rome). Picnics in parks can never go wrong, so I journeyed to the park with a group from the church. On the picnic pilgrimage I met a girl from New Zealand who is living in Rome as an au pair. We chatted it up on the way there and then enjoyed the beyond my imagination Italian potluck picnic. We then made plans to meet up later on in the week. It’s always amazing to make a new friend in Rome.
That Sunday afternoon I journeyed all the way back from Villa Borghese home (even though I had told my feet I wouldn’t do it again…now I have to promise my feet I will never do that again). My feet were in pain on the way home, so I walked up to my nearby park to relax. Upon entering the park I saw all the locals reclining on the sloping grass. Some were picnicking and others napping. Thus, I found a good napping spot, laid down, and 45 minutes later woke up with to a lovely breeze and the best view of the coliseum. I walked home smiling all the way, another lovely weekend.
The latest adventure which brought my feet to this ultimate state of injury was yesterday’s 8 hour adventure to the Vatican. No, I didn’t wait in line at all; I just spent THAT much time there. Some friends from work and I made an 8:30 reservation at the museum, thus we walked right in bypassing the long line which I remember vividly from standing in it when I came to Rome with the family 5 years ago. Armed with my Rick Steves’ Rome guide, Rick Steves’ downloaded podcast of the Sistine Chapel, and the museum audio guide, my two friends and I left Italy and entered the smallest country in the world. The Vatican proved to be overwhelming; thus we took each section at a time with no rush. Luckily it was a nice day, so the sun and a breeze came through the open windows. It was a relaxing and intense learning day all together. The whole time I just kept thinking how surreal it was to be back. Five years ago when I saw the Sistine Chapel, I never thought I would be fortunate enough to return. Here I was, once again roaming the massive hallways lined with art and then ultimately gazing up at the most magnificent piece of art by a single artist, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
After making it back to my apartment after the 8 hour adventure, I perched myself on my bed and never left. My feet were about to commit feet suicide and disown my body.
Thank you feet for not falling off and for taking me on many adventures across my dream city, please feel better soon.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Why I love Roma
Cute bikes and flowers
Walks at night with all the other people admiring the city
FRESH food from the local market
Bread from my local Forno and fresh buffalo mozzarella
Ruins and sun spots
Churches everywhere
Ancient Roman fountains
Cooking in my tiny kitchen with a cute balcony
Walking through my local park, someone asks me in slow English if I could take their picture...they are then surprised when I pull out my camera and ask them in fluent English if they can take mine. Yes for blending in more and more everyday. (too bad I got this opportunity after my 2 mile walk and just deciding to put up my hair in case of a hair part burn).
I love Rome as my Home.
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