Ikea in Rome?

Yesterday was quite a day.
After heading out to the bar "On the Rox" the night before, only to realize it was "college night", meaning a great deal for 3 liters of beer, and being a Badger....beer pong. Three of my friends and I split into two teams and played a rowdy game a beer pong, an american game in an italian setting. As we played, we attracted some of the natives' attention, and then gained support, and then gained a few extra team players. The four of us badgers decided it would be an excellent idea to teach them how to play flip cup, in a nut shell it was a hilarious night and extremely entertaining. I am very sorry to say that somehow they won over my team, and I was embarrassed.
The next morning was the first day of my on-site class, Ancient Rome: cities and villas. I grabbed a cappuccino from the vending machine on the second floor of the Tiber campus (yes there are coffee vending machines with endless drink choices, and they are delicious! and very convenient I might add) My teacher is German and can't pronounce his "v's" so they sound like "w's" its great and he is adorable. I am very excited to learn more from him as he tours our class around Rome and eventually Pompeii. He is so far my favorite teacher, very nice and understanding that most of us are American students studying abroad. And we had a very pleasant short conversation over the coffee vending machine. We had our first tour near campus, and I am looking forward to our next class at capitol line hill.
Afterwards, it was time to get our books...not such a simple task. The school told us how to get there via bus, this began a very interesting journey. After finding the bus stop and riding in a very small bus with an older italian couple, and having no idea which bus stop to get off at. The school told us to count 8 stops, but the bus never stopped, I guess this is Italy. The older couple helped us through broken english, and told us they were getting off at the stop we were probably looking for, so we followed hoping for the best. A few more bumps in the road, and we ended up at the feet of the Spanish Steps. It was so beautiful, and the day was gorgeous. New textbooks in hand, Jori and I walked around Via della Corso, the main street with all the top designers, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Jimmy Choo, etc. We walked in and out a few stores, very temped and teased by all of the incredible clothing, shoes and accessories. In Italy you are not to touch or photograph and any of the merchandise. There are men with ear pieces in suites stationed all around the store. Warning: do not try to take a picture of shoes you like with your phone, the store cops will stop you.
After a long jam packed morning, lunch was eaten and after some resting dinner was cooked. I am becoming more comfortable with making dinner in our kitchen, we are lacking some utensils and pans, but my roommates and I have managed to cook a few successful meals.
Today was another eventful day in Roma. Ikea. Yes, John Cabot set up a trip for students to Ikea, so why not go? A half an hour bus ride later, Grace, Jori, Rachael and I entered the doors of the humongous super store of Ikea to accumulate the few things lacking in our apartments. John Cabot thought we needed two hours to navigate through the entire store, which was more than enough time, or just more time to eat lunch in the Ikea cafeteria. So it was a day at Ikea. Very humorous to me. But the bus ride was very pretty, and I guess the store was located in somewhere equivalent to the 'burbs' in Minnesota.
Speaking of Minnesota, whenever some asks where I am from, I am tempted to immediately respond with "Minnesota", but no one knows where this humble state is. The great MN is not as recognized in Italians' eyes as Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York. So I need to respond first with, "the states", which makes me look foolish because of course I am American. But hey, I am first and foremost Minnesotan, and very proud of it.
After being here now for almost two weeks, I am finally gathering all of the things I need to start making a comfortable new home here. Tomorrow there are no Ikea trips planned, no classes, or orientations, so I get to finally sleep in and get a little more rest. I am not sure what is on the agenda, but the day is open!

Trip to the Vatican

Classes have officially started! I am taking five classes, Public Relations, Comparative Politics, History of Ancient Rome, Rome Sketchbook, and Art History: Cities and Villas (on site class traveling around Rome). It is only the second day, but I will keep you updated about how these classes work out and what I learn. I have to get books tomorrow, so these classes are actually happening...but I am really excited for a few (sketchbook! and Art History!)

Today, Jori and I went on quite the adventure attempting to find the art studio building (so far away I do not even think it is actually located in Rome, ok a little exaggerated, but its really far) After finally finding the building, after walking into a church in the middle of mass and having an interesting conversation with a non-english speaking woman, being buzzed into an apartment building where we met a woman who taught architecture, and walking into an art book store, we arrived to our class one hour late. Thankfully we never actually meet in the classroom again (we sketch at different locations) GOOD THING WE FOUND IT...

After our mini morning excursion we decided to take a trip to the vatican to finally see the digs of the pope. A group of us walked to vatican city on the gorgeous day it was, extremely perfect day to go! The christmas tree and nativity scene was still up, I was little disappointed by the tree in comparison to say Rockafeller center. Walking up to the vatican was so unreal, we live here and we can see this everyday? We decided to walk inside to tour around, and ended up taking a right and paying 5 euro for the "copula" and "551" steps...We ended up walking up and up and up and up and up some more on a very spiraled and windy staircase, finally coming out at the very top of the copula of the vatican. It was beautiful. The people down below looked like toys, and the tiles and colors up close were unbelievable. The details and meticulous tiled pieces were amazing to see up close and to touch them. We stood up looking down for quite some time in awe of the artwork, when one of our friends continued to persist that we see if we could walk any higher...yes it was possible. 300 more steps to go. As we trekked up the many more flights, the stairwells became tinier, the steps became steeper and our breathing became heavier. We arrived to a breathtaking view of all of Rome. It was truly a sight to see, and the 5 euro really did itself justice. The air was so fresh, the sun was so bright and the view was surreal. We walked all the way around and stared out onto Rome, realizing this is where we will be living for the next few months. A huge city and so beautiful, full of history.

After making our way down all of the stairs we had just climbed, much more pleasant, we walked inside a bit and listened to evening mass. I think in total today I walked 10 miles, NOT KIDDING. Meaning I needed a big bowl of pasta, very much deserved, I thought. Grace, Jori, Rachael and I went to a restaurant for dinner down the street that has a deal for students, wine, appetizer, main course, and dessert all for a very reasonable set price, and each week the chef changes the menu! He delivered the dessert to us himself, explaining how he wants students traveling to experience the cuisine of Italy, so nice and Italian. We will be taking cooking lessons from him eventually!

Today was a great day, one out of many to come. Back to class tomorrow, and the next trip will be to the Trevi Fountain.

Farm in Italy=Heaven

Hello from Rome, Day number four!

I skipped out on writing yesterday just because I was a bit tired from all that we have been doing and lack of sleep, so I apologize for choosing to nap over blogging.

Yesterday was quite a day! Thanks to my roommate Grace, she enthusiastically pushed Jori and I to get out of bed at 7 in the morning after going to sleep a bit later than bed time should be. Thank you Grace, because yes I really would have regretted not going on the amazing adventure that we did.
The SAI bus first drove us down the windy roads of Rome to the ancient port city of Ostia Antica, where we met our tour guide SONJA! (I am not sure if she spelled it with a J but lets just pretend and assume). We walked all over the ancient city seeing the gorgeous mosaic floors, intricate fresco paintings, baths and "offices" that still remain. It was our first tour of one of the many ancient ruins we have to see during our time here. After Ostia, we hopped back on the bus to go to lunch on a "farm" Well SAI, you really did not prepare us for the unbelievable experience we were about to have. I personally imagined a barn, all of us sitting at bench tables, and going through a buffet line to receive our lunches. This was FAR from what we were so lucky to enjoy. We arrived to a picturesque vineyard like farm, very green, very hilly with vine covered brick houses and buildings, SO PRETTY I CANNOT EXPRESS. We sat down in this huge room with windows looking out to the amazing view, filled with round, yellow cloth covered tables. We enjoyed our delicious meal with great company, Oliver and a few of his roomies. There were 7 courses! 7! And they were all served to us. The courses ranged from, bread and cheese, pasta, chicken to an apple tart for dessert. WOW mama mia! SAI really treated us well yesterday! Afterwards we toured the farm and it was truly a site to see, the weather was beautiful and sunny, and it was just a great day to be in Roma.
The night was another eventful night, after eating a meal filled with wine and great italian food at a restaurant called Tony's. It was another late evening, but we woke up again this morning to attend another orientation for school. Classes start Monday and it will be nice to start a routine. There is so much more to see, and I want to do it all at once, but it will all come in due time slowly. Keep you posted on what is to come! Caio!

New home in Rome

I have arrived!

After flying from MPLS to the huge airport of JFK to Rome-Da Vinci airport, I have finally landed in Roma.
Yesterday was a fun filled day of airports, finding gates and claiming luggage, but I am lucky that everything went as smoothly as it did. And of course knowing me, I was able to sleep a good amount on the plane + watch Harry Potter and the half blood prince, great choice Delta!
My dad prepared me well with all of his travel advice, including a tutorial on how to go through customs and make sure to jump in line early when boarding the plane in order to make sure my carry on has a spot up above. Dad, my first flight was empty so there was plenty of room for my rolly suitcase, but I still ran to get in line early, and customs was a joke, I didn't even realize I went through. But your advice was still useful...
Feeling a bit unsettled not spotting any SAI JCU kids on my flight, only florence students who I sat with on the plane with, I was afraid I was flying into the wrong airport or something. But I just got a bit carried away with my nerves, and met a few JCU students in the airport and was later greeted by SAI reps smiling and waiting for us. We hopped on a bus, then later a car to take us to our new home for the next 5 months. I am living with three other girls in a great apartment (so much nicer than I expected) it is splendido!
Jori is my roommate, and I am living with another fellow badger Becca, and Grace a red head who is also a chi o that goes to Clemson (its in South Carolina). Our foursome is already getting along swimmingly. The apartment has a darling kitchen, an interesting shower (that has so far been hot) and our view overlooks the main street of Trastevere, viale de Trastevere. We are near all of the other students and the other buildings are just around the corner!
Last night, Grace, Jori, and Jori's friend Rachael from home (who also goes to Wisconsin and has a gift of fashion) went out for our first meal in Rome. We had no idea where to go, but we were just starving, so we picked a random restaurant and went inside. The place was empty, I was a little freaked, but we sat down anyway. The waiter was giving us trouble and teasing us, he spoke really no english, but we managed to order pasta and pizza and it was delicious! Plus the waiter thought I was some sort of movie star named melissa something. I miss interpreted his comment for "family recipe" but the girls corrected me. We still don't know which movie star he was talking about, american or italian? We had a lot of leftovers leaving, but it was a successful first authentic italian meal.
(I am cramming 2 posts into 1, so bear with me as I go on to describe today's events)
Today we woke up promptly at 7 am to walk to campus. It was such a beautiful day and sunny! Rome is gorgeous and I will be having no problem taking the long walk to campus each day, with cappuccino in hand, weather permitting.
After our orientation we walked all over the place, getting lost, finding our way, and getting lost some more. But the getting lost was more of finding new places and seeing more of the area, which was still exciting. I really can't even begin to express how amazing it is that I get to go to school here for the next few months, each building is so unique, with window shutters, rooftop gardens, beautiful trees and colors everywhere. The cobblestone streets are a little tricky and the cars DO NOT stop, lets hope I learn how to look both ways before crossing. There are smart cars everywhere and they are adorable. Mom can I get one? Dad, no it is not the best choice for skiing equipment and road trips, but still think about it.
We found a cute place for lunch, where we ate perfectly wrapped sandwiches (chicken mozzarella and eggplant in between yummy focaccia-nicole). We later had our first grocery shopping trip and got a few things plus some wine to drink with dinner. I am hoping to learn more about wine while in Rome, so I actually know what I am drinking...more to come on that. The grocery carts are so funny, like little rolling suitcases, seriously. (Cara, they have wheels).
Now I am back in my new home, very tired, but so happy and grateful I am here.
Tomorrow we are going on an excursion to a farm!

Off to Rome

Addio Minnesota e ciao Roma!


Tomorrow I finally set off to Rome. After stuffing everything into two suitcases, I am ready to go!

What you should expect from my blog all about Roma:

I am jet-setting overseas to live in Rome for a whole semester (January-May), yes that is a long time, but I can't wait to see what happens in these next five months. I will be living in Trastevere in an apartment with six other girls, one being one of my best friends Jori. Who knows what this apartment will look like, but it will be my new home for the second half of my junior year. I feel safer and more comfortable knowing there will be familiar faces awaiting me in Rome, Carrot, Suzy, and Oliver, and many more friends of friends to help make this amazing experience I am about to have!

I will do my best to update you all as often as I can, letting you in on what happens on the cobblestone streets of Rome and where else I travel to...

More Pasta, Piazzas and Pope stories to come!