(Ps - The times are obviously off because my blog still thinks I'm in Chicago)
My day ended with another night of getting lost (more so last night).
Before I get into that I can at least mention the parts of the day that were awesome.
We had to take a survival Italian lesson and I had the funniest Dutch teacher. He was awesome and let us sit outside so we didn't have to die in the blistering hot classrooms. Which makes me doubt my ability to concentrate once school starts (at least til it cools off). The lesson went well even though he wasn't big on grammar rules, but neither are Italians apparently. I hope once I start trying more people will correct me.
A funny thought: We may be able to fool Italians into thinking we know what they are saying when we ask them directions by repeating some of the key directional words (or ones that at least seem directional). This occurred last night during one of the many times we were lost, and they thought we actually knew what they were saying. Although, they may have realized that we didn't when we may not have went the right way after leaving them, haha.
Anywho, took the greatest nap after the lesson. Much needed, let me tell you.
Dinner was awesome. We had a fancy, three course meal. They cut us off on wine though, which after paying 2 euro for..I wish we could have got another few glasses haha..the food was really good. Although, I forgot to take a picture of the desert so I won't be able to share it with you. I would have rather had fruit though, honestly.
After dinner, we all changed because we were so hot in our dress clothes/some people were just waking up from a nap. We (not the big group we were supposed to leave with/ just my two new guy friends) left for the River front to find some place that was apparently closing in the next two weeks then a club/discoteca! We met up with a group of very drunk JFRC students and followed them for awhile. We split with them, when the guy with the map told them they were going the wrong way. At least we made it to the Spanish Steps..but unfortunately not the Vatican or the bar near the Vatican, which was the main goal of the night. Despite the events that occurred we did not get raped or mugged, so all is good! :)
We eventually took a taxi home..after much looking for a taxi stand. Thankfully, some Italian guy walked us to the stop instead of just pointing.
Hopefully, we will plan out the night better in the future. My feet are in such terrible condition because of my dress shoes and walking miles in them. Gotta get some sandals today or I will die.
--Will add some photos to my FB and here sometime soon, once I get my wireless going)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Due.
So I am now updating from the JFRC! :)
Day one was fantastic yet a little troublesome. Our flight was delayed :/ but it didn't really matter since everything just got pushed back anyway. Then registration. Unpacking. Didn't get the roommate I signed up for, but I'm not sure if it matters. We won't really be spending much time in our rooms. Although I did wake up extra early this morning, so I feel bad for waking her up when she thought she would be late for our permisso de roma session today.
My first night in Roma, now that's the interesting part. Before the evening started I met some new friends at dinner and went to get a few things from the store. I unfortunately couldn't find a water bottle but I was able to pick up a few things that I thought would be helpful. A pitcher and some cups to have water and what not in our room, since we have a fridge.
Then when we got back I was contemplating going out. Some friends wanted to get gelato and wine. By that time the gelato place was closed, so we went to the Cubbyhole. Great place. Matteo and Fernando (not sure about the second one) were the bartenders names. Some of the girls got free shots out of them haha
After, we went downtown. I went with some girls who I was actually worried about because they can get a little tooo tipsy and I didn't really want to take care of anyone that night. One of the guys that went was actually more of a handful than them. He screamed "Cuando a Roma" and "Vive a Roma" all night. Saying "Ciao" to every passerby.
We searched and searched for a specific plaza, and after a ton of walking (seemed more than it was because my feet were KILLING me by that point) we found the place. Unfortunately, the girls that were with us that knew exactly where the bar was had taken a cab there because they got tired of walking. So we went around asking where (Dove) it was. We found a discoteca called Anima which lacked dancing, so we left. Before we actually decided to leave 2 of the girls we were with (whom I knew from work, the same two I had been worried about) jetted out of Anima to find the other bar w/out telling anyone. I was like hell no am I being left for dead in a city I just got to, so I ran after them. They didn't find it rude at all that they just left us, because apparently one of the girls was slowing them down (like they didn't have all night to party. This pissed me off, because they didn't think what they did was wrong at all, because "we were all lost anyway". UGH, NO. So I convinced them to at least go back and tell the group they weren't staying and they were going to find the other bar. They left and we stayed a little longer.
Went to this little shop, and one of the girls was so wasted that she bought most of them pizza. By this time I was sober and ready to go home, growing tired of the adventure and dealing with being up for so long.
Finally we just took a taxi home, thankfully. I got back around 1 am and went to bed. Fortunately I was able to go to sleep fast but I woke up at 545 and just got up for the day, knowing I wasn't going back to sleep.
Well until next time, ciao!
Day one was fantastic yet a little troublesome. Our flight was delayed :/ but it didn't really matter since everything just got pushed back anyway. Then registration. Unpacking. Didn't get the roommate I signed up for, but I'm not sure if it matters. We won't really be spending much time in our rooms. Although I did wake up extra early this morning, so I feel bad for waking her up when she thought she would be late for our permisso de roma session today.
My first night in Roma, now that's the interesting part. Before the evening started I met some new friends at dinner and went to get a few things from the store. I unfortunately couldn't find a water bottle but I was able to pick up a few things that I thought would be helpful. A pitcher and some cups to have water and what not in our room, since we have a fridge.
Then when we got back I was contemplating going out. Some friends wanted to get gelato and wine. By that time the gelato place was closed, so we went to the Cubbyhole. Great place. Matteo and Fernando (not sure about the second one) were the bartenders names. Some of the girls got free shots out of them haha
After, we went downtown. I went with some girls who I was actually worried about because they can get a little tooo tipsy and I didn't really want to take care of anyone that night. One of the guys that went was actually more of a handful than them. He screamed "Cuando a Roma" and "Vive a Roma" all night. Saying "Ciao" to every passerby.
We searched and searched for a specific plaza, and after a ton of walking (seemed more than it was because my feet were KILLING me by that point) we found the place. Unfortunately, the girls that were with us that knew exactly where the bar was had taken a cab there because they got tired of walking. So we went around asking where (Dove) it was. We found a discoteca called Anima which lacked dancing, so we left. Before we actually decided to leave 2 of the girls we were with (whom I knew from work, the same two I had been worried about) jetted out of Anima to find the other bar w/out telling anyone. I was like hell no am I being left for dead in a city I just got to, so I ran after them. They didn't find it rude at all that they just left us, because apparently one of the girls was slowing them down (like they didn't have all night to party. This pissed me off, because they didn't think what they did was wrong at all, because "we were all lost anyway". UGH, NO. So I convinced them to at least go back and tell the group they weren't staying and they were going to find the other bar. They left and we stayed a little longer.
Went to this little shop, and one of the girls was so wasted that she bought most of them pizza. By this time I was sober and ready to go home, growing tired of the adventure and dealing with being up for so long.
Finally we just took a taxi home, thankfully. I got back around 1 am and went to bed. Fortunately I was able to go to sleep fast but I woke up at 545 and just got up for the day, knowing I wasn't going back to sleep.
Well until next time, ciao!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Uno Giorno
Unlike many others attending the JFRC in the Fall I am packed and ready to go. One day left and I'll be heading off to Roma, Italia. I'm super stoked :D
I only have a few photo copies to make, some Euro to pick up from the bank, and a whole lot of waiting time (about 26-27 hours since I'll be leaving pretty early Wed morning to make it to O'hare). Having to be there 4 hour early blows, but it should be fine. Hopefully some others will be there extremely early as well..I can only hope.
I wish I was heading there with a little more Italian under my belt, but at least I attempted to learn a few words before hand. It shouldn't be too terrible.
I hope to capture some glimpse of the experiences I have in Rome, so as to inspire others to go sometime and to share my amazing opportunity to study abroad. I am very appreciative to be able to go on this wonderful adventure, thanks to a few scholarships. I can't wait to travel around Europe and experience the culture (especially the wonderful food!!)!
If you have Skype add me: boyscrangl. We can chat sometime -- I'll make it a habit to update my away message with the times (In Rome and Chicago) that I'll be available to talk.
My next entry will be from the library of the JFRC! :D
Ciao!
I only have a few photo copies to make, some Euro to pick up from the bank, and a whole lot of waiting time (about 26-27 hours since I'll be leaving pretty early Wed morning to make it to O'hare). Having to be there 4 hour early blows, but it should be fine. Hopefully some others will be there extremely early as well..I can only hope.
I wish I was heading there with a little more Italian under my belt, but at least I attempted to learn a few words before hand. It shouldn't be too terrible.
I hope to capture some glimpse of the experiences I have in Rome, so as to inspire others to go sometime and to share my amazing opportunity to study abroad. I am very appreciative to be able to go on this wonderful adventure, thanks to a few scholarships. I can't wait to travel around Europe and experience the culture (especially the wonderful food!!)!
If you have Skype add me: boyscrangl. We can chat sometime -- I'll make it a habit to update my away message with the times (In Rome and Chicago) that I'll be available to talk.
My next entry will be from the library of the JFRC! :D
Ciao!
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