My journey to Rome began on September 24th. I took a flight from South Bend to Chicago, from Chicago to Germany, and then from Germany to Rome. Flights went smoothly and I felt pretty proud that I was able to find my terminals and gates without my parents to follow (like I have done for the past 20 years). My international flight was a long but it went smoothly. Because it was overnight I wasn't able to look out of the window for most of the flight but as we neared the Frankfurt airport around 5:45am on Tuesday September 25th I opened my window shade and was just so amazed. The view of Germany from up above was incredible. That sight revealed that yes, I was in a different country. The lights that lined the winding streets and bridges, and the landscape that even from way up just told a different story and spoke of a different way of life. I just sat in awe. Connection from Germany into Rome went smoothly as well but the jet lag was getting to me ( I had only closed my eyes for about 40 minutes total on the international flight). I collected my bags and made my way outside to the meeting area where I was relieved to find four other SMC girls waiting with their luggage. We eventually made our way outside and all got placed in a taxi with all of our bags and we were off to Roma and our hotel.
Let me tell you, that ride in our taxi into the city was one of a kind. There seems to be an absence of traffic rules here in Rome, drivers make their way to their destination in the quickest way possible and they don't seem to mind that the next car, Vespa driver, or biker is just a couple inches away. It was a bit shocking at first but it also seemed so natural and efficient to the drivers all around. After winding through many cobblestone streets and passing many buildings that the taxi barely squeezed through we made it to our new home, our hotel Albergo del Sole al Biscione.
Let me tell you, that ride in our taxi into the city was one of a kind. There seems to be an absence of traffic rules here in Rome, drivers make their way to their destination in the quickest way possible and they don't seem to mind that the next car, Vespa driver, or biker is just a couple inches away. It was a bit shocking at first but it also seemed so natural and efficient to the drivers all around. After winding through many cobblestone streets and passing many buildings that the taxi barely squeezed through we made it to our new home, our hotel Albergo del Sole al Biscione.
Jet lag at this point was a little more noticeable but adrenaline was working by now and so I was still pretty hyped. I climbed the flight of stairs to our fourth floor room and met Colleen, my friend and new roommate for the next three months. Our room is the best room in this hotel, we really lucked out. We think it is supposed to be a triple but it's just Colleen and I in it so we have so much space (room and closet). Even better is that we are on the top floor and have screen-less windows with shutters that open up to a view of the street, three nearby restaurants, a mini store type thing, a caffe/bar, and Campo de Fiori just 20 steps to the left. This is the first year that SMC girls are staying at this particular hotel and it is perfect. There is an almost constant hum of people laughing, cars honking, Vespas whipping by, and the occasional singing and screaming of drunk Italian (and probably American) teenagers on weekend nights. Colleen and I always people watch and when we do sometimes a waiter from the restaurant across the street spots us and waves and blows kisses to us as we wave back. We are going to meet this waiter sometime.
At around 7pm on Wednesday our group gathered at a restaurant to the right of our hotel for a welcome dinner which included lasagna for the first course, a lettuce, vinegar, and salt salad for the second course, some kind of meat and dressing for the third course, and tiramisu for dessert. Yes it was that much food and no I did not have room for hardly any of it. My first italian meal and I was already disappointing the waiter who shook his head in italian eating etiquette disapproval. After dinner a group of us went to explore the night life in Rome and my is it incredible. I am a night person and so I thrive in cities like Rome where the restaurants stay open until 1 or 2 am, bars never seem to close, where there are crowds of people at the Trevi that is gloriously lit up at night, where there are people walking around and where men play accordions on the cobblestone streets as you eat your gelato. That is just what we did. Our first night in Rome and we were already walking the streets trying to fathom the fact that we were in the place we have been waiting and preparing for for the past year. It was an incredible feeling and is a feeling that has not gone away.
At around 7pm on Wednesday our group gathered at a restaurant to the right of our hotel for a welcome dinner which included lasagna for the first course, a lettuce, vinegar, and salt salad for the second course, some kind of meat and dressing for the third course, and tiramisu for dessert. Yes it was that much food and no I did not have room for hardly any of it. My first italian meal and I was already disappointing the waiter who shook his head in italian eating etiquette disapproval. After dinner a group of us went to explore the night life in Rome and my is it incredible. I am a night person and so I thrive in cities like Rome where the restaurants stay open until 1 or 2 am, bars never seem to close, where there are crowds of people at the Trevi that is gloriously lit up at night, where there are people walking around and where men play accordions on the cobblestone streets as you eat your gelato. That is just what we did. Our first night in Rome and we were already walking the streets trying to fathom the fact that we were in the place we have been waiting and preparing for for the past year. It was an incredible feeling and is a feeling that has not gone away.
Because I waited five days to begin this blog I can't recall in exact details about what we did Thursday all the way through today and I will spare you the time that it would take for me to tell you, but I will let you in on some of the most memorable moments.
On the second night an Italian man and his friend came up to Colleen and I as we were sitting near the Pantheon eating gelato and asked us (me in particular) where we were from and what were were doing tonight. It was our first "Italian men are really friendly and like to talk to American women" experience. We couldn't decide if they were being creepy or not so we decided it was time to go. This was after we left a bar because we wanted to sit somewhere and enjoy the peaceful evening. Funny how things work out.
On our third visit to the Trevi Fountain at night a group of us witnessed a man DIVE into the fountain and get arrested by a police officer who scolded the man by telling him he was a "very stupid stupid man" (picture that in an Italian accent), it was pretty exciting. Also on that same evening a man proposed to his girlfriend and the whole crowd at the Trevi clapped and cheered for the couple. It was quite the visit.
Gelato every day so far. No shame in the least.
Amazing, amazing food. Pastas, pizzas (which are so much more practical than American pizza, thin crust and a thin layer of cheese), salads, cornetti (chocolate filled and plain), sandwiches...just all around rich, well made, authentic Italian cuisine. It cant get better than this.
Amazing, amazing food. Pastas, pizzas (which are so much more practical than American pizza, thin crust and a thin layer of cheese), salads, cornetti (chocolate filled and plain), sandwiches...just all around rich, well made, authentic Italian cuisine. It cant get better than this.
And of course tasty drinks. Water that yes we have to pay for at restaurants (although we recently discovered that if you ask for tap water you do not have to pay for it), wine, sangrias, Breezers, espressos...
Saturday we took a trip to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum and I really enjoyed the tours. I am not particularly a history person but being in Rome and seeing these most important pieces of history creates such a feeling of awe and admiration for this eternal city. Oh and also we were on the tour for about 6 hours and with all that walking and standing and climbing we were whipped by the end of the day. No worries about gaining weight because it all evens out in the end believe me.
Saturday night we went to dinner and then we went to Scholars, an Irish Pub about five minutes from our hotel where we were planning on watching the ND football game. We got there and it was completely packed but we found ourselves a spot and tried to watch the terrible quality game from one of the TVs. After five minutes I lost interest, being in Rome has made me much less concerned for ND football. Its a nice feeling (sorry friends, the concern will return when I return but for the time being I care about Rome). We got some drinks and talked to interesting people who were also interested to hear about us and our time in Rome, it was a fun evening.
Today Colleen and I went to the Vatican where Pope Francis was saying mass. That was an interesting experience. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Pope but with the massive crowds, signs, and clapping, it seemed like we were there to witness a celebrity and that was kind of strange. He came around on his Pope Mobile after the mass so we were able to "see" him through our camera and photos.
Sunday afternoon was nap time for us and for all the other girls. The excitement and change has caused us to be very sleep deprived but I am completely content with that. The afternoons are perfect times for naps because the evening and night is where it is all at and I LOVE IT.
Sunday afternoon was nap time for us and for all the other girls. The excitement and change has caused us to be very sleep deprived but I am completely content with that. The afternoons are perfect times for naps because the evening and night is where it is all at and I LOVE IT.
Well that is about as broad an account of my past five days here that I could probably give you. Each and every moment is something to be remembered and cherished so its impossible to write it all, but I hope I have highlighted some interesting and exciting things about my days here so far. We start classes tomorrow (I am not ready no, I am in Rome I do not want to study but I think it will be ok) but my first class is not until 11 so I can handle that.
I need to stop writing, I am pretty sure blogs are supposed to be short but I cant write a short blog about my time in Rome. It is not possible.
It's 1:30am here, I can still hear people and cars and plates clinking from the restaurants that are serving its last customers. We are both in bed and are about ready to turn out the lights on another blessed and remarkable day in Rome.
Arrivederci and buonanotte from room 416.
