Ciao from Roma! I have been here now for a little over 3 weeks...and it has been the craziest 3 weeks of my life!
To start from the very beginning:
My flight was at 9pm at night on Wednesday, January 4th. My dad flew over with me. My dad and I agreed that the first leg of the flight to Heathrow was not to bad- my dad surprised me and we flew first class- oh how he spoils his little girl :) Then we got to Heathrow at 9 in the morning and our next flight to Fiumicino in Roma was at 10:30. I have to say: it was the roughest flight I've been on! Between the nerves and horrible turbulance, I was not feeling so great when we finally flew over Italy. But as soon as I looked out of my tiny window and saw the gorgeous Italian landscape from hundreds of miles in the air, my heart was captured! I guess you could say that was my "Omgsh I'm really living in another country for the next 4 months" moment.
So we arrived at the airport, went through "Customs" [I put this in parentheses because from other people's experiences, I was expecting Customs to be a big deal. Nope. I literally just handed some guy my passport, he stamped something on it, and then I walked by. Presto.]
We hoped in a cab and got to my hotel where I was staying with the 30 other people in my program for the weekend until we moved into our host family's homes. The next 4 days of orientation were filled with talks about how to adjust to Roman life, scavenger hunters, figuring out the public transportation system, tasting Roman food for the first time and getting to know everyone in my program. My days were pretty jam-packed so during the day, my dad went on his own adventures during the day and we met up every night for dinner and some exploring. I loved having him there! It was so surreal to be in Roma together and I'm so happy that I got to share my first few days there with him.
My favorite picture of my dad ever. [He's smiling!]
Seeing the Vatican for the first time.
Visiting the Vatican at night [it's absolutely magical]
And of course trying awesome food!
I am so blessed to have a wonderful group of friends here that I have been able to travel with! One of my favorite places in the city so far is Villa Borghese. It's a pretty good sized park in the northern part of the city. I love it. Every time I go there I feel like I'm in a Jane Austen novel, it's so classic.
Nora and I have gone here several times so far sketching and painting.
As you know, I am living with a host family. Best decision of my life. You don't really get to know or understand Italian culture until you actually live with Italians. I am staying with my host mom, Silvia, who is a elementary school teacher. She actually just got back from a school trip. No, not a field trip but a whole trip. This woman took 30 5th graders to Latina, a small town near Roma. Apparently this is a noraml thing that happens every year, where each class visits a different town and focuses on a specific topic. Just the teacher and the students. No parents. Silvia and Marta were very confused when I gave them a very concerned/ perplexed look. Then they were confused when I explained that this was not a normal happening in the States.
I also live with my host sister, Marta. Marta is getting her doctorate in art conservation. She is very sweet and hard working and reminds me of my own sister :) I love our apartment. It is very tiny but sooo well decorated and cozy. It is truly beautiful. Marta and Silvia are terrific. Silvia does not know any English and Marta knows a pretty good amount. They are both very patient with my developing Italian.
It has definately been a great challenge and adjustment living with Italians. They are always moving very quickly and effeciently [for the first couple of days I always thought somethign was wrogn or that I needed to help them with something. And then I learned to relax haha]. They talk very loudly and always seem to be very passionate about what they are saying. Their words have great meaning to them.
Although I have a 45 minute commute everyday to and from school, it is worth it. I love my nieghborhood. It is like it's own little town unto itself! I love having my own little piece of Roma. It's been great spending tiem with friends but I also love my alone time for prayer, reflection and exploring.
Classes are fantastic. I have Italian every day, 3 hours a day. It is difficult but I'm learning a lot very quickly. Currently I am taking Christology which I adore. I am also taking Liturgical Art and Architecture. Both are theology classes. They are a lot of work but I love it because for every class, we meet at some point in Roma and our professor, Dr. Dawson who teaches both classes, speaks to us about the history, art and thought behind the most the most amazing Churches and historical sites of the city. [I do admit- I miss philosophy though!]
Nora and me at the top of the Spanish steps which is only 3 minutes away from our Italian school.
During one of our classes we visited the Pontifical Gregorian University. Being the Theology/ Philosophy nerd that I am, I completely freaked out. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
Well, I hope that wasn't too much to swallow in one take! I will leave you with one of my favorite parts of Roma: the gelatto!
Love and miss you all! ciao until next time!
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