Observations and thoughts

Time is flying by. I must not be accustomed to the time change yet or something but some days we will sleep till 1 and be so upset that we have yet to go out and see the sites. The time feels very different here, and it involves a lot of sleeping. I cant wait until I get adjusted like a real Roman.
My days have been filled with alot of traveling around Rome by foot, figuring out with all of the shops are, the Spanish steps, the bookstore, the art store, making some sketches, and taking many pictures. My roommates and I have gotten lost several of times, but thats not a bad thing to do in Rome. I have tried experimenting with alot of different foods and have been cooking alot to sharpen up my skills.

 24 hour bakery!! so cheap, so good! 

some cakes at the bakery!!

spanish steps, above. Below me drinking out of a fountain near the spanish steps, in Piazza de Popelo

 JOANY- GELLATO CONEYS! 

AMAZING SUNSET 

homemade breaded chicken freshly sliced!! Italian Broccili with butter and garlic! Wine of course.

Some things I have noticed:
The windows are very interesting when you push the handle up, it becomes a vent and only opens at the top. When you put the handle to the middle you open the whole window. Very genius plan I must say.

It is a law you cannot eat and walk?! THIS IS CRAZY. People still do it including myself, yet apparently this law just got passed. There is no tipping in Italy and when you site down in a cafe it is more money, so you should stand at the bar with whatever you eat/drink. But you can't walk with the food or drink?

Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill

                                       

 

A visit to Todi

As the finale to our week of orientation, me and 225 other Temple Rome students took a two hour bus ride to the city of Todi. This was a small city with great architecture, banks, and churches. We were only touring the city for two hours until it was time for lunch. (The main reason we were there) You will see pictures below of the city of Todi along with me posing for you all :) After two hours we went the the Castle of Titignano for our 15 course meal, in an ancient castle, served by all italians, unlimited wine! AMAZING! The last picture you will see is me and some girls after this dinner, unfortunately I was having such a good time with the wine and food I did not take pictures of it (sorry Uncle Tony).Also, they did not serve sorbet as a course! No course for cleansing of the palate. (At that point I was craving some lime basil sorbet!). Also many of the courses were served on the same plate.  Some of the crazy courses included, boars meat, lamb, salmon (not me :/), finished by the dessert wine! The dessert wine I knew would be sweet but tasted nothing like alcohol and more like apple juice. Perfect for dipping the biscotti into! 

very hilly city!! 

Me under the sign 'pasta and wine'

 Katie and I with the coordinator or Temple Rome! He's awesome!

Week One Comes to a Close

This has been a great experience so far. I have met great people, have tried great food and have seen great scenery. I am trying to become a better cook and experiment with random ingredients. During the day, we have still continued to do orientation stuff for example safety, and a permit to stay and during the nights we all go out together hopping from bar to bar. Unfortunately the trains stop running at 12, when we leave at 11. Taxi is the only transportation home and it is 7 euros just to get into the cab after 7 pm!


I have become very good at crossing the street because the secret is to make eye contact with the driver and let them know you are crossing without hesitation. They are estimating whether they will pull in front or in back of you.

As you will see in the pictures below, Katie and I have mastered the art of the cafe in Rome, you will see Temple's school and the markets

some random salmon sandwiches in a vending machine in the train station

 The AMAZING markets which had everything baked fresh right in front of you!!! SO GOOD!!