Double Time

Today was fun.

Woke up to sounds of mopeds driving down our tiny little street, and shopkeepers setting up. Looking out my window I can see and smell the fresh pies put out by the bakery across the street, and they seem amazing.

Had a breakfast of buttered bread with grated parmesan.

Then we set out to try and figure out the metro system and find our school. We purchased our month long metro passes, which covers all forms of public transit in Rome, in a news stand close to our stop. After some small confusion, I realized the lady was telling us that if we were students, they were only 18 euros, versus 30 euros, so we all pulled out our student id's. After that, we hopped on the rail, which took us across the tiber river and within a block from our school. There were two mcdonalds within that block.

Our school is located in an apartment building, so we have to be careful not to piss off the residents living there. They didn't look too happy to see 5 american guys coming up the stairs.

After that we went to the piazza navona, which is right next to the school and cooled off by the fountains. We sat there for awhile, taking in the sights.

Then we walked to the pantheon, which was just as miraculous as I remember it. It's been almost two years since i've been here, and all the buildings seem even bigger than last time. It almost seems too surreal that I'm going to be here for the next 4 months, experiencing this every day.

After the pantheon, we grabbed the most delicious sandwich i've ever had in my life. The guy sliced a piece of prosciutto right of the hunk, topped it with some mozzarella that was dipped in olive oil and basil, put some slices of ripe tomato on it, and tucked it between two pieces of amazing italian bread. As we ate, we walked down to the roman forums and sat in the campidoglio, designed by michelangelo, and watched some protest about citizens rights or something, I wasn't exactly sure what they were saying, but they kept going on about murder, and had a sign up demanding the freedom of some political prisoner. Then we returned home. I took a small nap as the others went to purchase fans from the store where I got mine the day before.

Then we had an absolutely amazing dinner. Josh looked up a recipe for some alfredo fetticini and went to the store to buy the supplies, Chase threw together a very simple, yet delicious balsamic vinegar and wine salad, and Tyler made some good garlic butter bread, even if it was a bit burnt. We all sat down and enjoyed a very delicious meal, and sat around afterwards sipping our wine and chatting. Then me and Tyler decided to go check out the local bar and piazza up the street. We sat in the piazza watching some kids playing a ghetto version of volleyball. I tried asking them if we could join, but they said we were too big, then they turned around and called us "Stronzi," which is italian for fuckers. I called them out on it, and they were a bit embarrased. It was certainly fun though, I definitely am reaping the rewards of investing 3 hours a week for six semesters in learning Italian. It helped us buy things in stores, helped get around town, etc. etc.

Only the third day here and I'm already feeling like my entire life has changed, can't wait to see how four months is.