Two more from the Colosseum!

The group of undergrad girls I went with!

Colosseo aka Colosseum!!!

Today I went to the Colosseo with some of the other undergrads in my program! It was really incredible!

This was inside the Colosseum. We saw a cat wandering around this section, unfortunately I couldn't catch a photo of it. We predict she lives in the building. According to http://www.the-colosseum.net/around/gatti_en.htm about 200 cats live in the Colosseum!!!

This was a helmet like what they would use for battle!

This picture was taken from an upper level looking down into the Colosseum. Back in ancient days, there used to be a wood floor with sand on top of it. 

I'm so grateful I could experience this historic place! Behind me is  a view of the street that the Colosseum looks over.

Tiramisu!!

Today was a successful day of shopping! Amy and I went on the Via Del Corso (which is one of the most popular places to shop in Rome). I ended up getting a new sweater and nail polish! After shopping, Amy and I went to our favorite restaurant for Panini's and Tiramisu!

Molto delizioso! 

Last few days

Mi Dispiace (I'm sorry) for not posting recently. Not a lot has been going on! I have been very busy with classes and readings over the last few days. Right now we are learning about the Italian Constitution, The Council of Europe and it's Human Rights treaty, the structure of the judicial system in Italy and Europe, and most recently court cases on the right to die. It's very interesting stuff to learn about. I think it helps that I have taken other classes like this so I have more background knowledge.

I am finally done with the first week of class and am very excited for it to be the weekend! This weekend I have plans to do a bit of shopping and visit the Vatican!

My roommate and I have been having some culinary adventures in our apartment! Yesterday for lunch we made bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. Last night, we made tortellini con pesto!

Next weekend, our group is going to Gaeta which is a small beach town south of Rome! I'm so excited to see the Mediterranean, and other parts of Italy! Keep posted for pictures of that trip and other Roman Adventures!

Exploring more at night!

Last night was really nice because the whole program got to go out to dinner and eat authentic cuisine! We had 3 types of pasta, chicken, watermelon, wine, cheese, and many more things! After dinner, the whole group decided to go to the Fontana di Trevi and the Spanish Steps!

This is Lindsay and I at the Trevi Fountain!

Dad!!! I made it to the Spanish Steps!

This is the view walking across the river to the rest of Rome. This photo was taken on the Ponte Garibaldi!

Spanish Steps! They were so empty because it was late at night and police were making people leave. But that's okay because it makes for good pictures!

Trevi Fountain. We got there at 11pm and it was still packed with people!

Running at Night

Last night, I was bored because I've already done the readings, and so I decided to go for a run. It was really interesting because people were looking at me funny, I'm guessing Italians do not go running like we do in the states. The city looks amazing at night and eventually I stumbled upon a castle! As it turns out, it was the Castel Sant'Angelo. I will definitely be exploring the city more with my running shoes!

On a lighter note...

This is the undergrads and teachers I'm with here in Rome!! This photo was of our meet and greet dinner on a balcony above the Campo dei Fiori!

Apartment Troubles :(

Today, we had Rome Center orientation. This included a sheet that we as students need to fill out reporting existing damages in our apartments. Up until this point we have found a couple of outlets that do not work, and lack of fans and a pasta strainer. When we got back to the apartment after our orientation we really started to look around and we have found many many things wrong in our apartment.

1. Area around the lock on the outside of the door is slightly hollowed out. 

2. There is a square of wires that are exposed by the door (seems to be missing a plate of some sort)

3. 2/2 outlets do not work in the kitchen

4. 4/6 outlets do not work in Amy and I's bedroom, one of which is coming out from the wall

5. There is 3 missing screws to a plate covering wires in the bedroom

6. There is no way to fasten the windows open (which I guess is an important thing here)

7. No fans

8. Random circular hole in the wall next to Amy's bed

9. Random exposed wire above bed near window

10. Outlet plate with wires popped out of living room wall

11. No pasta strainer

12. Parts of my bed frame are duct taped

13. Shower is potentially clogged, or just drains extremely slow
14. No compost bin! (There are intense fines for disposing of trash incorrectly)

So.... I'm guessing we are going to have to go through a formal inspection or something because I don't think that the Rome Center was expecting this expansive of a list. But now (other than the other girl's bedroom which is locked) Amy and I have 3 working outlets total. Stay tuned for what happens with the things wrong in the apartment (not caused by us!)!

Tour led by a professor from Cornell!

This morning I awoke at 7:45 am to go to the Rome Center and go on a guided tour of Rome. My program was fortunate enough to have a guest teacher from Cornell University lead the tour and tell us all about Rome. Luckily, it stopped raining right as we started our tour :)

 Walking all over the city takes a toll on the heels of your feet! This was the damage after wearing moleskin. (Notice it's on both ankles!)

This was a statue at the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio. She is meant to symbolize the strength of Rome. The purple stone that makes her dress is a special stone from Egypt that was erected before the 5th century! 

This was the inside of the Santa Maria in Aracoeli church. Notice that it is lined with chandeliers which used to be a common way to light churches. Not many churches are like that anymore. 

This picture shows how diverse buildings are in Rome. 

This was right next to the Roman forum and Piazza del Campidoglio. After they completed the Roman Forums there were 5 Imperial Forums built near by. This is one of the 5!

Roman horses!

Roman Forum!

Roman Forum, slightly to the right is the Colosseum. Unfortunately I did not get to visit that yet. Not to worry, I still have many adventures to go on!

This was a statue in the Piazza del Campidoglio. I thought this statue was entertaining because it kind of looks like he is staring at a cell phone! Maybe he's taking a selfie!

This is the Teatro di Marcello! This is an interesting structure because there are apartments built over the landmark! Can you imagine coming home to this??

This is a fountain that we saw while walking around. The tour guide said that originally the fountain did not have turtles, but I think they are a great touch!

Finally, this is a bigger picture of the Piazza del Campidoglio. A woman on the tour told me that many many italians get married in that square. We saw two brides today!

I have had a wonderful first few days in Rome! I have had 2 gelatos and wonderful food. I also got a cell phone here! Tomorrow class starts and I am really excited to learn more about european law and society! Ciao!

First day really exploring Rome!

Today my roomie had to work on homework for a different summer class she's taking, so I set out to explore with some new friends that are also in my program!

 My roomie and I are looking over the Campo Dei Fiori after a nice meet and greet with the other lsj students! This photo was taken from the building that holds the Rome Center!

This was a random building a saw when walking down the street. Isn't it pretty??

Pantheon! 

There are a ton of buildings in Rome that look like this.

This was in a square that my new friend Rj and I found on the way to lunch!

This is another shot of my roommate and I. We are on the Ponte Sisto (bridge) on the way to the Rome Center from our apartment!

Apartment!

After struggling to find the Rome Center for quite a long time, I finally made it and got my apartment keys! As it turned out, my apartment was only a block away from my hotel!

Inside the living room of my apartment!

Outside my apartment! Notice the lines for hanging clothes!

Finally in Rome!

It's been quite the adventure getting to my hotel from the airport! My driver was no where to be found, so I waited for over an hour trying to figure out what to do. The airport's wifi did not work, and no one would let me borrow their phone to call the Rome Center. A man came up to me asking if i needed a cab, but he told me it would cost 80 euros. My driver was only supposed to charge 40.  Eventually I found a guy holding a "Marley Lake" sign, and I figured it was close enough. So he drove me to the hotel. Thus far, I have slept and eaten pizza with white wine. There's not a lot of internet here, so I will have to find creative places to blog! Thankfully my luggage is fine, and i got here safely and that's the important part!

First Italian Wine!

Fountain outside of my Hotel

My hotel lobby, which is the only place I have found internet!

First flight down!

I have just landed from my first flight and am now blogging from Charlotte North Carolina! The flight was enjoyable here, although they did not have tvs behind each seat! I am currently waiting in North Carolina to take off to Rome in 2.5 hours. Thus far I have seen way overpriced food and many Italian speakers. Stay posted for more updates! My next one will be from Italy!

Pre Flight Jitters!

I fly out tomorrow, August 21 at 7:10 am! I am really nervous because this is my first time flying internationally. I am also nervous that I''m going to get to Rome and not know what to do! I hope it is smooth sailing at both the Sea/Tac and Charlotte, NC airports! Let's hope for the best and that my luggage doesn't get lost!

...I suppose if it does, it wouldn't be too terrible to find new things and go shopping in Rome :)