A Day In Rome

The past week the weather hasn't been too great. It's been raining a lot which poses a problem when your main form of transportation is walking.

But finally, today the sun was shining and it wasn't too cold. We decided to take a little walk and hit up all the major sites in Rome. It is the most amazing feeling to be able to walk to these places in less than 20 minutes.

First, we visited the Pantheon. This time, it was open!


It was better than any image I've ever seen of it. The dome and the opening at the top makes it look like a tunnel to Heaven. I don't want to sound cliche, but I honestly can't articulate what it's like to see these places, and pictures do them no justice.


Next, we walked about 10 minutes to the Trevi Fountain


It is a beautiful fountain, but I really think it's just famous because everyone thinks it is.
We sat there a while, making wishes, taking pictures, and basically observing everyone. It's seriously so funny to watch all the tourists (i'm definitely not one anymore) do the SAME exact thing. take a picture, and throw a penny in.

Yet... we did the same thing...



Then we saw on the map that the Spanish Steps weren't too far away, so we headed out.
We got there just as the sun was setting. It was fun to see all the people walking from the top steps, as well as a nice elevated view of the city.




I've made amazing friends here. I love my roommates, the boys down the street, everyone on the program.

I talk to everyone I meet. People from all over the world. I love it. I love Rome. I love everything about it here. It's wonderful!

More to come!

CIAO!!!! Ti Ami!

Lately

I realize I haven't updated as frequently. But, nothing really exciting has happened. I suppose you all would like to hear what I'm up to anyway.

We went to a little Irish pub to watch Obama's inauguration. It was nice to be surrounded by Americans from all over the country, so far from home. Everyone here loves Obama, makes us feel a little bit prouder to be an American.

I started Italian class. I have Italian from 3-6:30. Everyday. It really is interesting. I'm learning a lot, really quickly, and I'm picking it up fairly fast. It's just... sooooooo long, and sooooo much busy homework. Hello! Don't they know I'd rather be out galavanting around Rome?! Well, it still doesn't stop me.

Right now, me and the girls are focusing on planning our trip in a few weeks.
February 7th-11th, Barcelona, Spain
February 12th-15th, Venice, Italy for Carnival!

I don't know if you know what Carnival is... but it's pretty much the coolest thing ever. I remember watching a travel channel special on it with my dad. Its basically this huge event once a year with parades and masquerades. It originated hundreds of years ago as an event where someone could be whoever they wanted to me. With the masks and costumes, no one could tell what class you were, and you were free!



It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to go. I mean, when else am I going to be in Italy in February? Never.

As of now, I've basically been adapting to LIFE in Rome. I think I know my way around the area pretty well. Maps are easy to follow. I've been wandering around the city, hanging out with my new friends, and just having fun.

I miss you all!

When in Rome...

So I’ve been in super tourist mode, I suppose. I want to jam in every major location RIGHT NOW.. but then I realize I have like 5 months, so I’m taking it slow.

However, that doesn’t stop be from randomly stumbling upon these sites as I walk around Rome. Speaking of walking… I’ve never done so much walking in my life. You walk EVERYWHERE here… even if it’s miles away. It’s easy to get lost here. Streets zig zag all over. I’ve been noticing landmarks to help me find my way. For example, if I see the river, I know how to get home. If I can see the Vatican, I’m 20 minutes from home, etc.

Yesterday I went to the colosseum and the roman forum. We had a professor with us, explaining everything. It was super cool to stand 2 feet away from the very place Ceasar was cremated. I walked the streets of ancient roman politics, it was pretty neat.



The colosseum was of course, amazing. It was better than any picture or video I’ve ever seen of it. I learned about its 15 different entrances, so you never had to brush shoulders with the lower class, and how it was designed to fill up and empty in 5 minutes.



Today I decided to have a rest day. I slept pretty late then wandered around my neighborhood. Down the street we have a church that is like 3,000 years old. Today it was randomly open so we went inside. It was AMAZING. So much art, you couldn’t even see every piece or detail in there, and it wasn’t even that big. I can imagine what it’s gonna be like when I go to the Vatican. I’ll have to spend hours there.



Later we went on a big walk, and wandered past the pantheon


And the trevi fountain.


I definitely want to go back when its light outside, but it was nice to reassure myself that they were so close.

I start Italian class tomorrow, it should be nice to begin to learn how to speak the language!

CIAO!

Rome is my Home?

Hello!

So I’d say I’m a full fledged Roman now.

Last night we checked out the night life. It was of course, hoppin.

We didn’t stay out too late cause we had an orientation early this morning. They basically repeated everything they told us the day before. Except they did show us this funny video comparing Italy to the rest of Europe:

http://completeall.com/Animations/Italy-vs-Europe.html

After that, we took a break and went to our new favorite pizza/gelato place. I feel like that’s gonna be our go-to place on breaks.

Then we had an Italian placement test which we all bombed.. because.. we don’t know Italian. But it’s okay, they’ll but us in a low class and hopefully it will be easy and we’ll learn a lot.

After that, we took our time walking home. It was beautiful outside. Sunny and bright and not too cold. We took this opportunity to take some pictures. These hardly do what I really see any justice but hopefully it’ll give you an idea of what I see everyday.

Here is a video I took of me walking near my apartment, just to give you a little taste :)

This is the clock tower next to my school... Which is why its called piazza dell'orlogio, or clock. It was also in Roman Holiday. Cool.

My school. And Bruno! the Grownskeeper.. like Hagrid..

streets... they all look like alleys

the bridge we have to cross everyday to get to school

the square by my house

my street

my apartment!

I just took a little 3 hour siesta. I get so tired here! I don’t know if I’m still jet lagged or if I’m just always so busy. But now I’m refreshed and ready for the night out!

Going to the Coliseum and Roman Forum tomorrow. Yay!

Byeee!

First True Rome Post

(written Tuesday, jan 13)

CIAO A ROMA!
(“hi from rome” for all you non-native speakers)

After hours and hours of traveling (around 18) I finally made it to Rome, Italy!

I managed to find some fellow EAPers on my flight and quickly befriended them. It was nice to have people to sit at the gates and wander around the airport with. Unfortunately after hitting London, I was not on the same flight as them to Rome and was left on my own.

Luckily, the Rome flight was empty and I had a whole row of 3 seats to myself. I took a nice nap. Customs was a breeze, they just looked at my passport and sent me on my way. By some miracle, my bags were like the second ones to come out and they came one after another.

I looked helpless and loss by the exit, about to brace the rainy new world of Rome when a nice taxi professional taxi driver named David helped me out. He gave me a small driving tour on the way to my hostel. It was dark and rainy, and I couldn’t see much. It did remind me a lot of New York. Perhaps that’s why so many Italians live there. David even drove like a New York taxi driver, horn and all. I didn’t even notice the freakin Coliseum 2 feet away from me. That’s when I remembered where in fact, I was.

I arrived at my hostel, a tiny apartment like place. The men running it handed me like 5 keys, one for the front gate, front door, apartment door, and my door, then left and said call if I need anything. Basically, I’m currently alone in my own little apartment in Rome, complete with an open window overlooking the courtyard and street.




I walked outside to a pizza place across the street and had my first piece of Italian pizza! It was scrumptious of course! Then I walked down to the laundry matt where they gave me 15 minutes of free internet where I scrambled to check my e-mail and let everyone know I was safe and sound.

Now, I am currently sitting on my bed, getting tired, waiting to go to sleep. Life is tough with no internet or tv, not much to do!



Anyway, tomorrow I head to my school to check in and then off to my apartment.

Talk to you all soon!



(written today, Wed Jan 14)

Ciao everyone!

So I made it. Everythings settled and good. So amazing.

This morning we woke up early and learned you cannot flag down a taxi in Rome. You have to call or go to a taxi stand. We arrived to our school around 10, checked in, got our apartment keys and headed off again.

I headed to my apartment in a cab. I live on a street called Via Natale Del Grande. I don’t know about mail yet so don’t send anything there! Theres a big wooden door to my apartment with a little courtyard. Then theres an old fashioned elevator that takes me to the 3rd floor where my apartment is. I was greeted there by this crazy old Italian lady who I suppose owns in. She proceeded to explain EVERYTHING in the apartment to me in Italian… I just smiled and nodded. This lasted about an hour before my other roommates showed up. Lisa, from UCSD and Julia from Berkeley. Julia lived in this apartment last semester, she extended to stay the whole year. So she quickly became our tour guide. Everyone says we have the best apartment. It's gonna be the party apartment!

I made a video tour of our apartment but it won't upload. I have some pictures, hopefully these will do it justice.

my own room! :

door/entry way:
bathroom:
living room:

kitchen:
then the 2 other girls have a room.



We walked to our school (about a 15 minute walk) to meet up with some other people. 10 of us girls then walked around and got, but of course, pizza and gelato. It was sooooo good. Then me and my roommates and the other girls who live near by, walked back to unpack and relax. We’re going to go food shopping later but everything is like closed from 1-4 because that’s when people take their naps!

We made dinner and I took my first shower in a few days.

The weather is fine. Its about 54 degrees and grey.

Walking around in Rome is so fun. We just stood on the bridge and looked at the river for like 10 minutes. Each street is beautiful and there are amazing sculptures and fountains on every corner. I live in walking distance of the Vatican.

We have an orientation tomorrow and then I don’t know what!

See ya!

The Basic Jist.

Hello to all and welcome to the first post of many on Stacey’s abroad blog.

Here I will be updating as frequently as I can on my adventures in Rome and around the world including pictures and even videos.

I’m not quite sure of my address at the moment but as soon as I find it out I’ll let you all know so you can send me postcards, vice versa.

The 9 hour time difference poses a little bit of difficulty for communication but I imagine I’ll get used to talking to people early in the morning or late at night.

My e-mail is the same, senoch@ucsc.edu, and I also have skype: staceyaroundtheworld08.

Your e-mails, and comments would be so great to receive. If you would like to comment on my blog posts, simply click comments on the bottom of the post, write your comment in the box under the anonymous option, and be sure and sign your name so I know who you are!

I look forward to sharing all my experiences abroad with you all as well as hearing about things back home!

See ya in 5 months!

Stacey