L'acqua fa male, il vino fa cantare...

"L'acqua fa male, il vino fa cantare..."
"Water is bad, wine makes you sing"
One of the first days in Rome this was said to us by one of the professors staying with us Prof. Balena. I can definitely say he is one of the most interesting people I have met since we have been here. We all met him at Logan Airport and he traveled with us to Rome. He is originally from Napoli and always enjoys telling us about his life growing up. Every day he gives me something to laugh about and he is always a happy person. For a couple of days he went back to Napoli to visit his mother who is sick and he brought back to us mozzarella di bufala. This is mozzarella made from water buffalo and was probably my favorite thing I have had since being here. It was our main meal for dinner and we ate it with the most delicious tomatoes (another one of my favorites). The director, Prof. Bonanno, kept telling us that we were going to be transported once we ate some of this and I don't recall a single person complaining about this meal. Il formaggio (cheese) is so delicious here but this particular mozzarella is unlike any other. When we go to Napoli for a weekend excursion we will definitely be getting more and I cannot wait.
The reason for my quote earlier was not only to introduce Prof. Balena but also to share with you one of the "little things" that I have learned since being here. We don't usually have wine with dinner every single night but for some people, Balena, that is very different. Balena actually said "water makes you rust, wine makes you sing" which I find to be more funny and accurate. Since I've been here I haven't had many opportunities to try different wines but I definitely want to start trying something new. So far, I can't complain about any of the wines I have tried. Anyways, back to my main reason, the little things.  The way I interpreted this quote was that if you keep doing the normal and boring day-to-day things we are just going to rust, or get old without anything interesting happening. However, if we spice things up or try something new than we will go through life singing and full of joy. You are more than welcome to interpret the quote any way you like, but that is simply my opinion. I thought of this today when I was sitting down to lunch after coming back from my italian class and we were having bruschetta (pronounced brusKetta) for our meal and it was probably the most perfect thing ever. In the US when you order bruschetta you order it as an appetizer. This bruschetta not only had tomatoes and parsley, but there was also bruschetta with cheese and anchovies, and then bruschetta with cheese and prosciutto (ham). I LOVED IT! I didn't know that it was anchovies at first and I probably wouldn't have it again but this tiny meal was exactly what I needed after having italian class. I would have never eaten this at home but here I am forced to try new foods and I am enjoying every second of it. Besides the fact that we have water with every meal, the bruschetta today was my "wine" of the day. It was my something new that made me sing and I have been looking for those moments every day since I've been here and I hope you do the same!
Bounasera!

Second week has begun...

After a very long weekend it was hard to get back into the swing of things on monday and have classes. Italian has definitely been getting better thankfully and then after italian we had lunch and then met our Renaissance Art professor for class at the Colloseo metro stop. This was the third time we got off at this stop and I am still not used to seeing the Colloseo the second I get off the metro. This excursion with our professor was not as rushed as the one to the Colloseo but it was still interesting. This trip was the one I previously mentioned about S. Clemente. After class we came back home and got straight to homework. There has been a lot of reading assignments we have had to do for class and it is extremely hard to stay awake while reading them. Eventually I was done and could go to bed after another long day. Today we had every class downstairs in our "lecture hall" which is right now our kitchen table because the desks for our classroom have not arrived yet. It was somewhat nice because it wasn't as exhausting but I still like to get out of the building every day. The reason why I decided to start my blog TODAY was because of something we learned in philosophy class today. We read about Hume for homework and Hume believes that we should focus on emotion rather than reason and give into our passions. Everything that I have done here has made me incredibly happy and I wanted to share those moments with whomever would like to read about them. This way, I can share my passions with you.
Although I said theology isn't my favorite class today we read an article about an interview with the pope and something I don't need to elaborate on, but just want to mention, is when the Pope was asked "Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?"his answer was "I am a sinner". This I felt was something to reflect upon and wanted to share it. Now, its time for dinner and I am starving so I hope its something good! (which it always is) 
Bounasera!
p.s: just remembered I forgot to talk about the food... theres only really one thing thats needed to be said about the food Monica makes for us. Every meal is the "best meal so far". I'm never going to want American food again! 

First weekend out and about

My favorite thing has to be the long weekends. We do not have classes on Friday so Thursday night we all decided to go out as a group. It was a little bit tricky trying to find our way around the city without any help and very few of us speak any italian. It was nice to see everyone dressed up to go out and we had such a great time! We found our way to a Piazza that was outside of a Bar and there was a bunch of people just outside hanging out. It was almost the complete opposite of the club scene which I really appreciated. The only downside to the night was waiting for a bus home for an hour at one of the bus stops. Because of this we didn't make it back home until 4 in the morning... All of us fell asleep immediately when we got back. What I liked most about the night was (buying my first "legal" drink) and experiencing italian night life first hand. Since being here I've realized that the times I most enjoy myself are the times I am thrown into random situations and have to find my way around with no help. This way you are truly immersed in italian culture and learn more about the city. This is exactly what me and a couple other people did on Saturday. We got off at the metro stop that the Trevi Fountain is at and had to find our way to the fountain. It took us about an hour to get there but the journey there was incredible. We saw so many different sights and somehow wound up back at the pantheon after seeing the fountain. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me and have no pictures. FORTUNATELY, I'll be here for a while and have plenty of time to go back and take pictures. Saturday was one of the best trips because none of us had any idea where we were going and we were able to explore the town without an instructor telling us where to go. It is also so great that all eight of us get along extremely well! This trip for me has so far been perfect. New friends, new places, new everything and I love all of it.
On Sunday we went to Appia Antica which is one of the oldest roads in Rome and we rode bikes for about 3 hours. We had a "piccolo picnic" (a little picnic) made for us by Monica and we ate it along the way. Biking was difficult at times because the road was so old and had huge flag stones that made up the road. It was nearly impossible to ride comfortably during those points. Along the way there were many beautiful sights to see and I definitely want to go back to view the scenery more than I could while I was on a bike. After the bike ride we stopped into a church that had a copy of Jesus's footprints at the center of the church. It was so cool! Afterwards we were all very exhausted and I fell asleep trying to do my homework for classes today. Thankfully classes today were relaxing and I could settle down after the very long weekend.

Italian nightlife

Appia Antica

View from Appia Antica

Copy of Jesu's footprints... and my feet!

graffiti on our way home

Week one of classes

This whole excursion is about studying abroad which makes classes a #1 priority in some cases and I respect that coming form the perspective of a student. For me, classes are very important but I would never droll on about classes for too long. The first day of classes was exhausting and extremely overwhelming. Mondays and Wednesdays we have Italian and Renaissance Art. My first italian class I had a placement exam and was placed into intermediate italian. This class has to be the most mind-blowing thing ever. There is never any english spoken and there is not a chance to be distracted or else you will have no idea what is going on in the class which is the reason why I said this day was so exhausting. I think eventually this class will get better once all of my italian will come back to me.
Renaissance Art is a very interesting class. Luckily, we have only had one lecture so far and our other classes took place at the Colloseo and S. Clemente's Basilica. The day we went to the Colloseo was very rushed and not as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. Even though it was rushed, it was still the Colloseo. The second you get off at the metro stop you walk outside and there it is. It was a jaw-dropping sight to see and was absolutely massive! We were able to go inside and walk around and I could only imagine the history that took place there. It left me speechless. After the Colloseo we walked to the Palentino Hill which is one of the many hills in rome and we basically jogged through that. The trip was brief and in no way could compare to the Colloseo. We went to S. Clemente's Basilica yesterday and that was a really interesting trip because there is the church that is there now, the 4th century church ruins underneath it, and parts of Clemente's house that the 4th century church was built on top of. You could go underneath the church and it was incredible. However, you couldn't take pictures which was really upsetting. The church that is there now. St. Catherine's Cathedral is beautiful and has gorgeous paintings throughout the church. In Italy, people are very strict on what you wear to church. There was a sign outside the church that said you could not wear tangtops. They are very strict on covering up, even in 80 degree weather like yesterday.
For my classes on Tuesday and Thursday those are a little bit more of a drag. We have a 9am class downstairs in our building, an 11am class also in our building and then a 3:15pm class in our building. On days like today this is miserable because we never leave the room! However, last week our Ethics professor took us to the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome and at first I was interested in going but once I got there I was so excited because I found out that John Keats is buried there. After taking a Romanticism class he was definitely a favorite of mine. Nearby the cemetery there was a cat sanctuary and we probably saw 10 cats wandering about the cemetery. I'm not quite sure how I felt about that.
My theology class Catholicism Today might be my least-favorite class... we haven't left the lecture room for class yet and the hour and 45 minute class just drags on forever. I have learned very little so far and I am really hoping it becomes more interesting.
My favorite class might be my literature class, which is a good thing because I'm an english major. Our literature class is focused entirely on Boccacio's Decameron and so far I absolutely love this book. It is a tale about 7 women and 3 men who come together during the plague and find sanctuary in one of their homes. During the day they decide to each tell a story for entertainment. The book consists of 10 days, 100 stories. I am only on Day 1 but there is so much to learn from this book. This weekend we will be going to see Boccacio's home and it is even more important because we are celebrating 700 years of Boccacio. The book takes place in Florence, which is where we will be visiting this weekend.
So far, thats all I have to say about classes. Very educational but still somewhat enjoyable of course! I'm never going to want to go back to taking classes in a lecture hall in worcester...

Keat's Grave

Colloseo

Vatican City

I had only been in rome for maybe 48 hours and I was already going to visit Vatican City. On Sundays at noon in the city there is the Angelus. The Pope speaks about current events and blesses the crowd. None of us knew where we were going that day and it was a fantastic surprise! We weren't leaving early but I forgot to set an alarm to wake me up in the morning. We were leaving at 11 and I just assumed I would wake up before then, which I did, but then fell back asleep. Quickly showered and got dressed and was ready downstairs to go. HOWEVER, I did not have anything to eat or drink before we left. It was a rainy day so I remembered my rain coat but it was also hot. Between the heat and having had nothing to eat I almost passed out in vatican city. What a great start to my week. During the middle of the Angelus I began to not feel well and knew I had to sit down. Once I started walking away to find a spot to sit I started to go blurry and couldn't see anything except for white bright blobs of color. Definitely the scariest thing that has happened to me since being here. Fortunately, I was able to have a granola bar and some water and started feeling better. It was until after the fact that I realized what had happened to me. I began to think deeply about everything in my life and how it has affected me, and how I have affected others. I'm not saying it was a message from God, but it was definitely a nudge to force me into reality and see things clearer. Later that night at church, Father John spoke to us about why we are in Rome. He talked about fate and destiny and how everything in life isn't necessarily planned but there is always a reason for why things happen. He told all of us that there is a reason why we are all here in Rome and began mass with an extremely common and simple saying "All roads lead to Rome...". Because I feel like that phrase needs no explanation I will continue on to the first Pizza and Beer night in Rome!
After mass we all went out to get pizza and beer at one of the restaurants nearby. Now, in the US, having pizza and beer consists of picking up a 6 pack and a large pizza to go. Here, pizza and beer is an elegant and classic meal. You eat the pizza with a knife and fork and you get an entire pizza to yourself.  As a group we shared a couple beers and at the end we went out to get gelato. This was the second night in a row that we got gelato and I was NOT complaining. I have made it a goal of mine to try a new flavor every time I go get gelato. So far I have tried five different flavors and I have only disliked one. Even still, it was good. Once again, a very long day in Rome but can't complain. Every day here is a gift and I intend to treat it that way.

vatican city in the rain

First Day

This begins my recap of the last 10 days here in Rome...

We landed in Rome in the morning on Sept. 14 and had the entire day ahead of us. Due to jet lag we were all extremely tired but were told to stay up to at least 9:30pm and we should be fine the next day. This definitely had to be one of the longest days of my life but it was so incredibly worth it. We were able to relax and unpack until around 11am, then got an introduction to the program and had lunch at 1:30. I'm still working on getting used to the late lunch and late dinner. When in Rome, do as the Romans do I guess... 

On this first day we were able to see the Pantheon which was totally unexpected and we came upon it in a funny matter. Of course the director of the program knew where we were going but none of the students did. All of a sudden after walking down this small street with probably 5 restaurants and 10 shops we turned the corner and there was the Pantheon! I was taken back with awe and amazement. I had never seen something so rich in culture and history before in my life. Right outside of the Pantehon on the ground there was a Rose and our director had a pause and think about why there was a rose lying on the ground. Rome is a city of romance and since he made that comment every time I see a rose on the ground I wonder why it is there. Is someone missing it? Was someone so upset that they couldn't accept it? No wonder why people say it is the little things in life that matter. Thousands of people walk by the pantheon every day, but one person left a rose. Why? 

Little did I know, was that this was going to happen to me almost every day. Also on the first day we went into a couple different churches and learned a lot about how Italians run their lives. The drivers are worse than MassHoles and DO NOT care about pedestrian crosswalks. Everyone is always moving and there is no such thing as "snack time". However, "nap time" has come in handy a couple of times. 

My main point in telling this story about the first day isn't because of the Pantheon, or all of the other exciting things I saw, but because of something I learned at dinner. When dinner rolled around we had a wonderful meal made by Monica, our personal chef, and all ten of us sat down, said a prayer and dug in. With dinner we had red wine and afterwards there was champagne to celebrate my birthday. However, in the italian tradition, on somebody's birthday they buy drinks for everyone so I opened the bottle of champagne and served everyone. Prof. Balena who is residing with us and is a dear friend of the director (Prof. Bonanno) told us a story about his 21st birthday and how he ran away with his friend because they were both mad at their mothers. They found a place to stay and while they were there an older gentleman asked them why they had run away. When they told the man he said, "La vie commencia a venti ani" (Life begins at 20 years old). Out of everything that happened on that first day I will always remember that dinner and the wise words of that old man that I have never met before. So from here on out, I am only 1 year old and have so much of my life ahead of me than I could have ever imagined. I am free from restraints and boundaries and have only my future to look forward to. It reminded me of the fresh start I was so much looking forward to by coming to Rome. This lesson is the first of many that I have come upon in Rome, and that was only the first day. There are so many more inspirational things to talk about!

the rose

The view from my room

The Pantheon

Intro

As of today I have been 21 for 10 days, and I have also been in Rome for 10 days! I consider this experience an excellent way to begin a new year of life and start fresh in a completely new place. Since I've been here I have already learned so much and have met so many new people. I currently am a junior at Assumption College in Worcester but am now studying in Rome at the Assumption College Rome campus. There are 8 students here, myself included, and two professors that live with us. We attend 5 classes: Italian (which takes place at italiaidea), Renaissance Art, Ethics, Catholicism Today and Boccacio's Decameron. The most exciting thing about the classes that we take is that they are rarely ever lectures. Most of the time we are told where to meet the professor and from there we will have class. For example, my second renaissance art class took place at the Colloseo. I have also had class at S. Clemente's Basilica and in the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome. As interesting as these classes are, the most interesting part of this experience so far has been the little lessons that I have learned while getting lost in Rome, or just from sitting down to lunch or dinner every day. That is what I plan to talk about the most, obviously I will mention my classes because even though they are educational, I can't believe how much I am enjoying them! To start, I will recap the 10 days that I have been here so far and from there I will continue to tell stories about my journey in Rome. By doing so I hope to enlighten you on the many lessons I have learned and have yet to encounter. Enjoy!
-Colleen