Classes in Rome

Mondays & Wednesdays:
11.30-1.30 Culture & Identity in Modern Italy
2.00-4.00 Roman Art
4.30-6.30 Ancient Roman Civilization

Tuesdays & Thursdays:
11.30-1.30 Italian (3rd quarter)

Photos Long Overdue

La Notte Bianca - Acrobats in Piazza Del Popolo

La Notte Bianca - Circo Massimo

Las Du Fallafel - Paris, France and recommended by Lenny Kravitz

Glasgow Science Center - BIG CHESS!

Glasgow, Scotland - MEAT PIES!

London, England - TELEPHONE BOOTH, calling Mandy

London, England - Mandy in front of the tiny cottage

Trafalagar Square - Being a pigeon lady

London, England - Mandy and I with a Horse Guard

London, England - Myself as the Queen

London, England - Mandy as Princess Diana

Palantine Hill and Sight-Seeing

Today I went to the Palantine Hill for my Ancient Roman Civilization class. Unfortunately I did not take any photos because I was too busy taking notes. However, I believe I will be going back in December for another class field trip. I will hopefully take photos when I go back. I'm actually pretty excited to go back because I won't be stressed about taking notes. When we go back, we will also have access to two underground rooms which are closed off from the public. These rooms are supposed to have amazing Roman wall paintings. It's amazing to see buildings that have lasted through CENTURIES. Augustus/Octavian first established it as an imperial residence in the 1st century BC. There are still many walls and structures left over, especially the underground sites. Underground sites were not always underground, but slowly the ground level has changed through the centuries. The best part? They have not finished excavating the hill! Anyway, it's amazing that once you enter the hill, all the traffic and city noises just disappear. The Palantine (one of the 7 hills of Rome) is quiet and much greener than the rest of the city. It's quite lovely.

Tomorrow morning I will be going to the Colosseum. Wednesday I am going to see the Ara Pacis and Augustus's Mausoleum. Friday I am going to Ostia Antica (a port town on the coast of Italy). Saturday I am going to Perugia (north of Rome) for a chocolate festival. Sunday I will be sight-seeing (for homework) the following: Via Appia Antica and the catacombs, Baths of Diocletian, and Pyramide. LOTS of sight-seeing, so be prepared for lots of photos.

Basically, ROME IS AMAZING! By the way, I'm going to buy 20 postcards for only ONE EURO tomorrow morning. So all the postcards I've promised will be coming! Apparently the H&M in Germany had a sale where everything was 2 euros. I'm going to try the H&M in Rome to see if the sale is here too. I hope so!

Pringles Delight Original

So, I just came back from Di Per Di (one if Italy's supermarkets) and I'm eating some Pringles Delight Original flavor. First off, what kind of flavor is "Delight Original"? I figured it was just Original, but I have to say they are significantly less salty than the real Original flavor. They're still good though, but i'm disappointed. I'm also drinking some mango juice, which is probably filled with preservatives but I'm going to pretend that it is healthy.

I don't think I've ever written about the supermarkets in Italy, so here it is: Supermarkets are not as popular with Italians as the open-air markets. Open-air markets are open every morning from 7am-1pm. Local farmers sell their products at the open-air market for cheap/competitive prices and in general the food is probably healthier. However, I'm too lazy to get up at 7am and by the time I do get up, it is time to rush to class. I usually shop at Di Per Di or Todis (another supermarket). When Americans think of supermarkets, we think of Safeway or Ralph's. Lots of aisles, lots of selections, lots of everything. For Italians, it is a one way winded path that zig-zags around the store to maximize space. Literally, there is only ONE WAY you can go. You must pass everything they offer in the store before you reach the checkout. By the way, they usually only have one or two checkouts open. (What's that all about?) You might think be thinking "that sounds like a big hassle" but Italian supermarkets are ridiculously small. I would say, probably a fourth of a Ralph's. Another thing I noticed is that they do not eat tv-dinners. They also do not sell pre-made cream sauce because you are expected to know how to cook. So far, I have also not seen any canned soups, which I have been craving (cream of mushroom? chicken noodle?).

In other news, I've been trying to upload photos but the internet in my apartment is wishy-washy at best. I better not insult it too much on my blog because it might stop working again. I am VERY excited that Mandy is coming to visit me for my birthday. We're planning on going to a ballet, Peer Gynt, and hopefully I will be able to bring her on my site visit at Hadrian's Villa.

In an ode to Mandy and her greatness, here are some pictures from London that are long overdue. She's been hounding me about these for a while, so here are a couple:

This was taken shortly after a lady was taken away in an ambulance. The little boy kept eyeing the guard until finally he told him to come over for a photo. However, the little boy looks rather unhappy. Taken at the Tower of London.

One picture for now, the internet refuses to upload any more photos. I promise to post a lot more soon, probably on Tuesday.

Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Marcus, from downstairs who I just met today, just came up to our apartment and played guitar for us for 30 minutes. It was pretty much the most entertaining thing since I've been here.