BELLA CITTA!

It is my third day here and no internet on my own computer yet, so I am resorting to typing my blog into word and I will put it on my blog when I get internet. I use Rossella’s internet for email and such, but it is difficult to type on so I rather not use up her internet time trying to update my blog.


Yesterday was adventure day. I woke up late, got ready, read my Rick Steves’ book, and then set out on my adventure to walk around Rome and get the feel for where everything is. Thus, I was able to do A LOT of sightseeing because I just wanted to see it all and then on another day go back and see each place more in depth. Therefore, yesterday I saw: the Coliseum, (walked by) the Roman Forum, the Victor Emmanuel Monument, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, walked through the Jewish Ghetto, crossed the river to Trastevere, explored the random streets in Trastevere, happened upon a pretty church garden, crossed the river again by the Boca della Verita (mouth of truth), had a panino at a small place packed with Italians watching the soccer match, walked by Circo Massimo and sat there for a bit, made my way back to the Coliseum and walked home.

It was so perfect to be able to walk everywhere. Although getting around the Roman Forum does take awhile. Once past the Forum it is easy to stroll everywhere. I can understand how Lauren told me that she was in super shape while living in Rome!

The day was nice because the sun did come out after raining in the morning so it turned out to be a PERFECT cooler day. I wore jeans and a light sweater for most of the day. I definitely didn’t ecpect this type of weather in Rome! It was so nice to finally see the sun and make everything seem happier. It was a bit depressing though to see all the families and couples at the sites; I just wanted to join their families! When I would hear English my ears would perk up, but no one ever talked to me. Oh well…I can’t wait to hopefully make friends at work!!



The day was nice to just walk around all the places and take pictures. Now I also have plenty of pictures of only my face from sticking my camera out in front of me, ha. One unexpected adventure of the day came after I returned to my apartment around 6. I came back, and then decided to go out and see if I could go to an internet point and tabacchi for a calling card. Thus, I didn’t take my camera. It is nice to just walk out of my apartment (which is REALLY quiet) and then be right in the “center” of Rome. Right outside my apartment is San Giovanni in Laterano (a really big church with a piazza in front of it). Both of the stores I had set out to go to were already closed, BUT I saw this huge event going on in front of the church. I made my way across the street and saw this huge Festa della Mundo (Festival of the World). There were tents set up representing different countries, many from South America and Africa, and then there was a stage with the different groups doing their traditional dances. There were hundreds of people at the event and they were not tourists!! I sat down on some steps and watched for about an hour. It was fabulous fun. It was also nice to try and figure out what the emcees where saying. Rome is a huge Italian class EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY!

I was then able to return to the apartment, have dinner, talk to Mom and Dad, and then use Rossella’s internet. It is so exciting to be able to talk to people after being stuck inside of my head ALL DAY LONG! It is ridiculous how weird it is to experience so many fun things and make random decisions on what to do by yourself. No one to discuss things with makes me go partially stir crazy in my head. Thus, it is so nice to talk to people online! THANK you so much to all of you who have helped support me by checking in on me!! After chatting online, I skyped for the FIRST TIME!! Kelly made my day  I could see her perfectly (even though she couldn’t see me) and hear her perfectly; all for the simple price of internet! It was so much fun, oh how easily it makes me happy to talk to other people. Can’t wait for more skyping when I get internet on my computer!

Today I have been staying inside so far. It’s funny because I LOVE my apartment; so cute and Italian. I have a lot of things to get done inside so it is good to take the time for that. Plus, it stormed earlier in the day. Now the sun is out and it is 3:30. After the rain I opened my shutters on my window and leaned out. One of my neighbors was doing the same thing and it startled me a bit to see how close we were! Rossella is out of the apartment; she had gotten up early to go to the doctor and I she hasn’t come back yet. Yesterday night I had stayed up later and she came home around 11:30 after dinner with her Aunt. We talked a lot in Italian about our day. She was happy and said my Italian was much better and that I was looking better. I sure was a mess the previous day from no sleep and huge amount of jet lag.

Now I am just preparing for work tomorrow and waiting for when Rossella returns so we can hopefully go buy internet. Luckily she is so nice and helps me.

I am SO excited to start work tomorrow. I arrived in Rome the perfect number of days before work to get slightly accustomed and then get excited for work. I pray to meet friends. It is so boring to do things by myself, I want someone to go exploring with. I imagine there must be a couple of other interns there. They must be interesting, because in order to apply for such a crazy internship is a huge step. I still can’t believe the craziness I got myself into. How did I ever think I could do this?!