Back in Firenze!

Ciao!!! since I lost wrote, WOW! life has taken me all over the place in Roma. Here are the highlights, the lowlights, and surprises in between:

1. Went to the As Roma vs. Manchester United game. There is an extremely heated rivalry between the two teams and my friends and I decided to risk our lives and go. It was definitely a little scary because AS Roma fans hate Manchester fans and associate anyone speaking English at the stadium as Man U supporters. However, I came decked in AS Roma scarf, jersey, and banner which protected me from being hurt. Overall, the game was lots of fun! At first we were alittle nervous because Man U scored the first goal, but in the second half AS Roma came back and scored a goal! When they scored the AS Roma fanatics lit a red flare in the crowd, it was crazy!! definitely a memoriable experience and I am so glad that I went.

2. I saw the Pope!!! My friend invited me to a special mass for Roman University students at St. Peter. It was a fascinating cultural experience and I leanered alot though my attendance. At the end of the mass the Pope came out and gave a speech. It was in Italian, but I believe it was something to the effect about the importance of education. The crowd went crazy for the Pope. People were standing on chairs trying to see him *including myself, when in Rome..* and taking pictures. I was shocked to this massive swarm, it was like three thousand paparrazzi calling for his attention at once.

3. I went to the Sistine Chapel with my class. It was amazing and stunning as everyone says. A particular highlight for me was I had to give a presentation about the conservation and restoration techniques of the ceiling and I gave it while in the Chapel!!!

4. I have officially finished my study abroad program. I do not know how, but I studied for finals, packed, and picked up my sister at Termini all in one week. It was hectic and I am still in denial that it is actually over. In fact, I still can not believe that my sister is in Italia with me! We are currently in Firenze for the weekend and then heading back to Rome for the holidays. I will write more about the experience as whole, but right now my sister is insisting that we find a cute apertivo place for tonight!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas...

Ciao! I just got back from Piazza Navona Christmas fair. From December 1^st to about the first week in January there is little market of assorted goods from candy to ornaments to nativity figures. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting it to contain more unique and hand crafted Christmas goods. Most of the stands offered the same Christmas decorations and food as the stand next to them. At times it reminded me of a state fair in America with the water squirt gun games and ring toss, they even had the large plush stuff animals as prizes!

However I did learn in Italy La Befana is the traditional Christmas character, not Santa Claus. La Befana originates from an Italian folklore and is a witch who visits all the children of Italy on the ever of January 6^th. Depending if the child is good or not she fills their stocking with “caramelle” (caramel) or “carbone” (coal.) Families leave “vino” and food for her. According to legend La Befana was asked by the three Magi directions to Christ the child, but she did not know. They invited her to come along with them to find him, but she was too preoccupied with her house chores. Later, La Befana changed her mind and went to go seek the Three Magi, but could not find them. So to this day, La Befana is seen searching for the Christ child and leaves all good children toys because they might be Jesus.

Throughout the fair there are stands that sell wooden dolls of La Befana. She is actually creepy looking and reminds me of a Halloween witch. Some of the stands had animated dolls of her and when you clap they make a witch’s laugh. I was anticipating on finding some ornate holiday gifts at this fair, but was highly disappointed. It is a nice stop in the day, but I wouldn’t plan on make an evening or afternoon out of it.

In other holiday news…a Christmas tree was put up by the Colosseo. The tree is not comparable to the one at Rockefeller Center, but at night it is pretty lit up in front of the Colosseo. I have not seen many residential holiday decorations in the windows like in the homes of America. It is more amongst the stores and in the side streets of Trastevere in which they are hanging from one side of the street to another.

A side note: Where are all the candy canes!?!?! They are impossible to find here! There are more chocolates and cakes in the supermarket for the holidays than I have ever seen in my life, but no candy canes! Literally, there are boxed fruit cakes, Bacio cakes, Limoncello cakes, and an assortment of others that I don’t even know what is inside. I am going to have a holiday party and buy some, I will let you know what I find!