To the Vatican!

Today, I walked to the Vatican. I needed to run an errand there (I can't say specifically because it is a surprise!). But the views on my way are stunning. You can see all of Rome and mountains farther away. It is amazing. On my way back, I caught a bus that I thought dropped me off near my apartment. It didn't but good thing I noticed. I got off before it became too big of a mistake. Oh, when I first got on the bus, a little kid was staring at me from his car. Wait, first thing. He was in the front seat on his mom's lap. What?? I guess that is what the Italians do. But anyway, I waved at him and he waved back. We exchanged silly faces. It was a small moment but I really liked it.

St. Peter's, on my walk

very official

St. Peter's again

dragon fountain

Musuem Thursday

Time is flying fast. I have been in Rome for two weeks already. Absolutely crazy. On Tuesday, my class went Museo Nazionale Romano: Palazzo Massimo. The pass gained us a three-day access to the other Museo Nazionale museums. That is what I did today--I went to the three other museums. First on my list was Palazzo Altemps. The sculpture collection was held in this beautiful old home. I liked the building better than the statues, but I'm not really a big sculpture person. Next, after getting so lost, I went to Crypta Balbi. Here they unearthed layers and layers of Roman buildings throughout the ages. Finally, I went to the Diocletian Baths. Most of this was a museum about writing but the structure where the baths were was huge. It was crazy. After that, I took the bus back to my apartment. I like having no class on Thursdays. It is a nice time for an adventure.

antique motivation from Palazzo Massimo

Palazzo Altemps

building of Palazzo Altemps

Crypta Balbi

Michelangelo Cloister at the baths

museum at Diocletian Baths

Diocletian Bath

Roman Water

So someone asked me if I drank the water here. Umm, yeah I do. I drink Philly water. Could Rome water be any worse? Bottled water is very cheap but I prefer the water from the sink or the fountains. Yes, the fountains. Water fountains are everywhere. On the sidewalks, in the park, etc. You just lean down and press on the opening. The water squirts upwards. And then you drink like an American water fountain. It is nice because I don't have to walk far with an empty water bottle--or even a water bottle at all. I just stop for a quick drink. The water in the fountains come from the mountains so it is very fresh. But I heard the water from the sinks is different water so that is why Italians don't drink sink water. Whatever, water is water to me.

fountain water

sink water

Hot Chocolate Vending Machines

So I have been rushing around and wasting precious time the past two days. Yesterday I discovered that the vending machines at school sell not only coffee but hot chocolate as well. Yes! I did spend three hours in the library yesterday. I don't know. I still can't believe I'm in Rome. The other night I felt like I was in my bed at home. Weird.

on the library terrace

street leading up to school

park across from school

Sorry!

Yesterday was weird. I wanted to get work done but I slept late and just didn't feel like reading about the EU. But as I was skyping my family and getting ready for dinner, I was invited out to dinner and to plan our spring break. I got dressed quickly and ran out the door. I felt very stressed. Anyway, the Thai restaurant we went to was very good--I ate a lot of food and took a lot of candy from them. Then we booked our hostel for spring break in London and booked a tour of Bath and Stonehenge. Also, I planned a trip to Prague in three weekends--eek. I have been spending so much money I want to throw up.

Well sorry that was short. I have to study and get ready for class now. Yesterday was the kind of day when I had to do work, I didn't want to. But when I was busy, I wanted to do my work. Confusing.

Regular Day in Rome

Today was for relaxing. I ran, went to the grocery store, and ran an errand. I needed to get a towel because the ones given to us are stinky. I walked to Upim (kind of like Bed, Bath, and Beyond). I got a bath towel, hand towel, potholders, and an adapter. I don't like spending money but this was necessary. I've just been working this afternoon--trying to get some summer applications out and planning my Easter vacation. Homework probably late. All I really want to do is watch some TV but none of the channels work. I guess I could watch something on my computer. Hmm, maybe, I'll have to check it out. So I'm making dinner soon, so this will be the end of this exciting day in Roma.

By the way, if anyone has any questions so far about my time in Rome, please do not hesitate to ask them! I'll make a post out of all of them.

saw this yesterday

Busy Two Days

Well good news and bad news. Good news is that the past two days have been super busy with lots of adventure. Bad news is that I'm not sure how to write about it all without dragging on! Well, I'll give a shortened version. Yesterday (well every Thursday), I didn't have class. Neither does Steve, so we decided that would be the day we go explore. We nervously rode the tram (we didn't pay) and walked to a pyramid and cemetery in Southern (?) Rome. The pyramid was under renovation so you couldn't see it all. But the cemetery (for non-Catholics who died in Rome) was beautiful and serene. I think it is one of my favorite places in Rome so far. Keats and Shelley are buried there. After that, we walked along the Tiber to a gorgeous view of the city, especially St. Peter's. Some more walking took us to the Pantheon. Very nice day.

Steve stepped in dog poo--yuck

the pyramid and the cemetery

The Protestant's Cemetery

Vittorio Emanuele Monument

St. Peter's

The Tiber

I got your nose!

Yesterday was very exciting. We booked spring break to...London!! Because Mumford falls during spring break, we couldn't do anything too long. We decided Monday to Saturday (my birthday, eek!) for our time in England. Should be a blast.

Today, I took a Bus2Alps tour to Naples. Bus2Alps is a company that specializes in taking study abroad students on planned trips to different European destinations. It is expensive (sometimes--like Megabus, if you book early, you pay less), but it takes all the work and worry out of planning. We just went to Naples for the day. It started out bad and ended bad. Almost everyone was late so we didn't leave until 8:20ish. And on the way back, two girls didn't show up and we left an hour later than our initial meeting time. What the heck. Anyway, besides the stupid people we traveled with, it was a good time and worth the money. We saw two castles, a church, and ate authentic Naples margherita pizza. Delicious. Also got stracciatella gelato. Yum. 

driveway

Flat Explorer in the piazza

Bay of Naples

me

my pizza