Thoughts in Church

Not much happened today. Run, church, shopping, gelato. I did a lot of thinking in mass today, but it is such a shame I couldn't talk out a pen to write down all my thoughts. Should I write a book? Hmm, should I give up gelato? If I live simply, does that mean I can't spend 2 euro on gelato anymore? Where can I go "into the wild"? Does it make sense to buy books in Europe when I can get them in the US with maybe a coupon or as a used book for cheap? Should I buy "Peter Pan" or "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" or something else?

mass in English

I want a balloon

cool, new covers for HP

gelateria

Highlights of week:

• finding the Rome equivalent of Barnes & Noble (even if I couldn't read 95% of the store)
• realizing that I can write posts ahead of time and schedule a date for them to post automatically
• "you never know how much you like something until it's gone"
• cookies
• I pretty much enjoy other people's bad timing...and my own
• long runs
• food

Saturday Walk

Okay, yesterday I went on a study field trip to Umbria. It is the region next to Lazio, where Rome is. But more on that trip later. Today, I wasn't feeling up to going out far so I decided to take a walk at Villa Doria Pamphili, the park near my apartment. Like every weekend, every Roman and their mothers were out and about. People were running, walking, biking, sunning on a blanket, etc. It was nice to get some fresh air for a little while. Earlier this morning, I ran along the Tiber. It was a new route for me and I loved it. I felt like normal long run Katie, pushing the pace but not too exhausting. It was a pleasant surprise from my usual bad-feeling runs around the park. Well, today is just for relaxing. Homework and studying before dinner. Maybe I'll get gelato tonight??

Today's Roman Adventure in Pictures

one of the many churches in Rome

best gelato--and you get a lot!

ET phone home

breaking news at the Vatican

I love these signs

The Colosseum

My ticket to the Forum and Palatine yesterday gained me admission to the Colosseum today. After thinking of how to allot my time between class, running, and the Colosseum, I finally decided on run, class, Colosseum, and then class. So after class, I hopped on the 75 and headed to the Colosseum. Holey moley, it is huge. I was next to it yesterday but it really hit me today. In a weird way, it reminded me of the Palestra. Just a grand and historic sporting arena. Absolutely stunning. Afterwards, I still had plenty of time before class so I decided to get gelato. I got creme caramel--it was very delicious and I really wanted more! But anyway, it was just another day roaming around Rome.

Oh, I forgot! Two things. One, they had tickets and assigned seating back in the day at the Colosseum. I thought that was interesting. Two, I had a pop quiz in microeconomics today and it was about the market for hot chocolate. Naturally, after class, I got hot chocolate.

Forum and Palatine

Walking with the Romans...

More Venice

Here are some more pictures of Venice. If you haven't heard, the Pope is resigning, so I'm going to be here when the new Pope is selected! It is so exciting.

Venice

Yesterday, we went to Venice for Carnevale. After waking up super early and panicking a lot about the bus, we got to Venice. It is crazy to think that the city still stands up. And that they have to import everything on boat. But overall, Carnevale was a big party--many people dressed up, wearing masks. Venice had surprises around every corner, side street, and bridge. Pretty amazing.