A Thank You I Never Got to Say...

Two days till I leave Roma. I can’t believe its over. There is so much I feel like I have accomplished and I am so proud of myself that I can say this. I feel like I really know the city and I have learned so much about Art History that I would have never learned by sitting in a classroom. This has been truly an invaluable experience. I constantly felt like I was learning and challenging myself.

I am excited to go back home because I miss my family and friends. I can't wait to be in the same time zone as them and not have to worry about calling at odd hours! I am not rushing to get home and leave Roma, because I truly love Roma for its beauty, but what is a city if you can’t fill it with those you love? For that, I love NYC.

I truly loved my study abroad experience. It was nothing like what I expected, it was difficult in the ways I never thought it would be and easier in others. I never thought I would make such great friends who I know will continue to be important people in my life. I thought this would be me exploring the city and bringing it back to share, except even better I got to explore it with people who are now like second family to me. They were there for me and I was for them, and they truly made my experience invaluable. Roma alone has the history and art that I will never forget and will always dream about, but my friends gave them the moments that I will always treasure. I can never look at Mary and Jesus without thinking of Ori’s impression of the baby giving the blessing, or climbing the Duomo and having a panic attack while my friends help (and laugh), or discussing our favorite flavors of gelato on the bus. It was so nice to be surrounded by people who cared about Art History the way I do.

This was a dream that I had one day in my Art History class fall of sophomore year and now it is ending after four months. Where do I go from here? What goal do I set next? I have no idea, that’s for me to figure out. But when I do, I will write it down and let you know. Until then, thank you for supporting me, for not deterring me even if you feared for my safety, to letting me fly and to figure out how to land by myself. For allowing my to open my eyes to the greatest views I have ever seen. For all that and so much more, I thank you.

A Triumphant Return

Ciao from the USA!!! It has been to long and I apologize, but I am back!

Unfortunately my computer did not handle the flight home particularly well, perhaps it was also not ready to come home, and I woke up the day after my return to find that my hard drive had crashed. Confused, overwhelmed, and still in denial I was home I looked at the blue screen that said, "system fatal error" and thought to myself this is not the welcome home I had planned. A part of me took it as a sign that I must go back, but as all my memories seemed to be flashing before me as I scrambled to figure out how I was going to get my priceless photos. Thanks to the wonderful people at the Data Recovery Labs, I managed to save ALL my photos (which is probably over 4,000) and documents. PHEW. I still have not received them which have my in the moment thoughts about the end of my experience. I will wait to comment on the end, but until then, I do have some thoughts I would like to share.

My goal now is to incorporate my favorite aspects of Italian lifestyle into my everyday life. Whether it is saying Ciao to my friends or cooking pasta with olive oil I brought home from Roma, I am trying to make a conscious effort to still have a connection. Perhaps my biggest investment has been the purchase of an espresso maker. I now have an espresso maker, milk frother, espresso cups, and am looking to purchase cappuccino cups. Today, I am going to try to make my first espresso! I am excited because one of my favorite parts of the day was taking a few minutes with a friend and having an espresso at the local Tabacchi. For now, I find myself reminiscent about my strolls around Monte Verde and Trastevere, the local supermarket, my favorite gelateria. Sometimes, I even wonder if Roma was a dream, but then I look at the pictures that were saved and I know, that I was there, that I came, saw, and conquered....and I wonder in what context I will do it again!

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!

Bus Strikes: The Italian Snow days (for students)

I think we can all remember the excitement of a snow day when we were little. The joys of sleeping late, being forced to stay inside your house, and watching TV or playing games with the family. Well, everyone once in awhile we get that day in Italy, except it is because of a bus strike!

For most people a bus strike is a major hassle. Not only are the buses not running, but also most of the time this includes the tram, metro, trains running out of Roma, and airplanes. The city transportation system literally shuts down and one can be stuck in Roma! Since I have been in Roma there have been three bus strikes. This is mind boggling to think that on a monthly basis the whole city is paralyzed because of a strike. It is not unusual, but rather a normal part of life as a Roman. Usually, on the day of the bus strike it is impossible to get a taxi. This week there was a scare that possibly the taxis might strike on the same day. The past two days taxi drivers have been striking (unannounced so it is illegal) about a potential increase of five hundred cabs at night. In return for adding five hundred new cabs, the fare would increase 18%. Taxi drivers were striking because they did not think passengers would pay the new suggested increase and did not want the new cabs. Although the increase would be steep, especially with the weak dollar, I would be in favor of adding new cabs. At night, it can be difficult to find a cab in Roma. It is not safe to take the night bus, so one could spend an hour just trying to get a cab. I think people would pay the fare because they are going to want a safe ride home, no matter what the cost. While I sympathize about the major inconvenience, every once in awhile it is comforting just to sleep in and enjoy the day around the house…and I get to have that tomorrow!

Bus strike Update:

I wrote that yesterday before the strike. Today, the tram and a few buses are running. There have been a lot of flights cancelled, but a few are still running. The city seems a little more quite today. I was by the Pantheon (buying AS Roma soccer ticket!) and I did not notice anything out of the ordinary. All and all it is a beautiful sunny day in Roma to have the day off!

Where are all the rain boots?

November is supposedly the rainiest month in Italy. Before I came to Roma, I decided that I should invest in proper rain attire to battle this unpleasant weather. I am not a fan of umbrellas, especially coming from a city where you spend more time protecting yourself from getting poked than actually staying dry. Why can’t ponchos be the norm and not considered tacky? Perhaps one day this will be become a trend. Until then, I surrendered and purchased a bright pink travel size umbrella. I also got a little “rain fever” at the store and bought a raincoat that can be compressed into a cosmetic size bag as well as pair of black and white butterfly rain boots.

Words cannot express how grateful I am for my rain gear. Time and time again, I have been saved from the dreaded rain and been able to enjoy myself while traveling. Unlike most of my friends who have been scrambling to find rain boots. Which leads me to my question: Why do Italians not wear rain boots?

Not only do Italians not wear rain boots, but also they are hard to find in stores. I cannot figure out why something so practical would not be available here. My only thought is because for the most part rain boots are not stylish. But why not make them stylish? Italy is the jewel of fashion world. Why not create a pair that is sleek, elegant, and practical? Until this mystery is resolved, I will continue to stay dry and accept the stares and glances that I get from Italian women than force myself to be cold and wet for fashion.

My Roman Holiday!

It's official I am spending the holidays in Roma!!! My sister is coming to visit me which is so exciting!! It will be fun to show her around and be her personal tour guide.

Now that I know I am staying I need some help! Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do over the holidays? Any particular events or places I should visit?

Let me know!