Sept.18-20 in Rome

     Thus continues the sporadic chronicling of happenings past. Sorry for the not-exactly-chronological order.

 

Tuesday--

     This was the first day of class. After a 4-hour Italian class (with a 20 minute break halfway), I managed to recieve a proposal from a random ice cream man. No, really, I did. It was weird. Especially since I had never gone to that gelateria/cafe before, and since he called me "madame."

     That night was game night on Elizabeth's (one of the Residence Coordinators) terrace. We had some of her yummy sangria and played Catch Phrase.

Wednesday--

     It rained this day, which was nice. It was also the evening of a VERY AWKWARD party which the hotel owner hosted for us. He likes to try to impress us by throwing parties and inviting.... interesting people. The story goes that he invited Swiss Guards and an Italian mens' swim team, but that the Guards weren't able to come due to being at Castelgandolfo (which is where the Pope was; he's still not back to stay :( ). Yes, I do believe it, because they had been to such parties in previous semester. Bottom line: it was pretty much just Christendom and the strangest mix of Italian guys (which made certain of the girls feel jipped). Being one of the first ones downstairs for the party (because I didn't want to be rudely late) was horrendously awful. Why? Let's face it: it's a set up. I was actually very lucky as far as table-mates went: Andrew Hepler and Theresa Norris did a great job in breaking the ice, and the two Italians were polite.
     After the party was the Vatican at night and in the rain. It was so beautiful and peaceful and empty. So awesome. I feel that one can only really appreciate it at night.

Thursday--
     Ah, yes. The failed church hunt. So I looked up online where the Syrian Catholic church was, grabbed a hunting buddy, and proceeded to get very lost. At least we got to see the Spanish steps, REALLY expensive stores (Gucci, Armani, Burberry), the only Baptist church in Rome, and the church of S. Lorenzo. So, not a total failure, but still pretty disappointing. Maybe I'll manage to find it another time.