CIAO ROMA!

I’m finally here! The past two days have been a blur. To fly for so long and then to arrive in a different country in the morning is quite tiring; however, I was able to brush it off for a few hours when getting off the plane…because it was time to enter into the Eternal City and my two first daunting tasks: taking a taxi by myself, and finally, after so much time of looking at pictures of it, arriving at il mio appartamento.


The drive into the city went fast. I just couldn’t believe it was all happening. The city seemed sleepy with the constant light rain making the Italian buildings look sad and sleepy. Not many people were out on the streets yet so I felt like I wasn’t really here. As we drove into the city I knew we were getting closer when we reached the ancient city wall. YES to be living inside of the historic center! THEN I saw it, the coliseum. EEEE! We just drove right past it. Not many tourists were there yet. It just seemed like another building at the moment, BUT it IS the coliseum and it IS my neighbor.

Then we drove right down my street, my street which I have stared at so many times on google street view. Then I saw my huge gorgeous door! How can I not feel fabulous opening that! I rang for Marco Villa (our renter) and I heard the huge door unlock. I lugged in my luggage and then my roommate Rossella came down. She had a huge smile and immediately gave me a hug. We had to then lug the bags up a couple flights of stairs and then were able to take a lift the rest of the way up.

Rossella is a very sweet Italian lady. She speaks English well and if I speak slowly in English she can understand. However, I told her it would be fine to speak in Italian. Thus, it has already been a learning experience. I don’t know everything she says, but we work it out and she is patient. Using your hands to speak helps a lot. It’s only the first day though!! Here comes the learning!

Once I got in the apartment I began setting up and unpacking. It’s crazy how much stuff I have here. I suppose I will be here for quite some time though and that is why I have all these everyday things. It’s not vacation!

After unpacking I rested because the time change is deathly and it was raining quite a bit. Rossella was also napping and told me that later we will go for a walk to see the supermarket and such that I will need in the area.

After waking up we talked a bit, I asked her lots of questions, and she showed me everything in the apartment. It is a TINY apartment, but very well kept. Everything is clean and in its place. She is so kind and generous. When I arrived she made me a café, so delicious and Italian. Then I had to learn to use her little coffee contraption that goes on the stove, gas stove that is. Oh the adventures to be had in the kitchen.

Hopefully I can get my own internet soon. She is kind to lend me hers, but I pray that my internet and phone situation can be figured out. In regards to wanting internet, I miss everyone already, but I’m doing well. I put up pictures and know that everyone is so supportive of me and I am thankful for that! I think of my crazy and supportive family, my lovely Roomie in the ville who always has a smile when I am sad, the fabulous four ladies who kept me company in Gainesville while I packed for both Panama and Rome, Lindsay who kept up with Rome details the whole spring semester, and of course the amazing duo of Vana and Shea who are so fabulous and I feel like you both should be here to share in food adventures.

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul.