Devotissimo suo, Sarah: When in Rome

Thursday morning our whole program went to Rome for the weekend. I'll give a little recap of what went down during the week though.

Tuesday I went to Mai Dire Vecchio ("Never Say Old," the senior center). I think I fell in love. Through some language barriers I learned that one old fellow (sans teeth) has two sisters, one named Grazella I think and one who he can't remember the name of. Another women told us how she used to own a fresh pasta store, and she had forgotten all about it until just when she told us! It's so fun being there, even though I understand very little of what is going on.

Wednesday night in preparation for Rome all the girls at the Villa watched the Lizzie McGuire movie. Classic. I suggest everyone watches it. Twice. Maybe three times. This is what dreams are made of after all.

So then Thursday, practically before the sun was up we were all on the bus headed to the Eternal City. After two hours on the road we stopped at a rest stop, and I think all of us who went to Prague were a little disgusted that our fellow travelers would need a break after two hours! So then two more hours later we had arrived and got settled in to our hotel and then made our way to Vatican City. Walking is a little bit of a struggle for me sometimes. You would think fifteen years of dance would give me at least a center of balance, but this was certainly not the case. While in the midst of telling a story or something, I proceeded to trip. And then barrel forward in a feeble attempt to catch my balance, practically taking out one of my peers. This act of tripping repeatedly lasted at least ten seconds. In front of everyone. All in all, it was a fantastic start to my day. Fortunately, things did turn around from there. We spent the majority of the afternoon wandering through the Vatican Museum and climbing St. Peter's. The view from the top was amazing, the 551 stairs to the top, not so amazing. But definitely worth it. After watching the sun begin to set, we headed back down and went to the hotel to rest our feet a bit before dinner. We ate dinner in a nice little place outside in Campo del Fiori where I devoured a pizza. Later in the night we went to a few pretty Americanized bars, but they were very fun. Met a big Packers fan and that provided plenty of conversation and entertainment. At the end of the night, one of the girls and I decided we needed to find the Trevi Fountain. If you were unaware, Rome is big. Very big. We didn't find it. By the time we looked at our map we were practically off the map. Finally, we ended up at the Spanish Steps, sat and rest for a few minutes, then taxied back to the hotel.

Friday morning we had an early wake up call, breakfast at 8, and went to have a tour of the Roman Forums. Probably one of the coolest things I had ever seen. A little difficult in the walking department since it was all these stones laid out in paths, I kept imagining I was on lily pads. I was very careful so we wouldn't have repeat action of the epic fall from the day before, which was recreated possibly 50 times throughout the weekend. After the forum we went to the Colosseum, which as one may expect was spectacular. The remainder of the afternoon we spent exploring Rome, going to both the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and doing some people watching while enjoying some delicious gelato. We took a nice leisurely lunch where wine was the same price as water. These Italians really got some things right (but they sure did get a few things wrong let me tell you..for instance, my package that was sent probably a month ago has yet to arrive. Timeliness really isn't a primary concern for them) After a long day we went to this fantastic place near our hotel for dinner. I think we all went into some state of comatose from the food it was so unbelievable. Post-dinner we took a few bottles of wine to some Roman monuments (Colosseum and Trevi) and enjoyed a wonderful night out in Rome, singing the likes of the Spice Girls and busting out some dance moves.

Saturday morning we went to see one of the strangest, most bizarre things I have ever seen. It was a church decorated (if that is the right term) with the bones of 2000 monks. I was a little disturbed by how much I actually enjoyed it, but it really was one of the coolest things. After we spent about an hour sitting on the Spanish Steps just people watching. I think I could do that for hours. I am learning so much about Italian fashion. Some is outstanding and some I think if it comes to the States I will throw a fit (plastic puffy jackets...never) Finally we went back to the hotel and went with the whole group to Villa Borghese, a villa that was used soley for showing off a personal collection of paintings and statues. I remember at one point seeing a statue and saying "this is ACTUALLY cool." Sometimes we're on art overdrive and it's a little much, but there was some pretty great things there. After awhile we got back on the bus and returned to the villa...where none other than BURGERS AND FRIES were awaiting our arrival. Then I called it an early night because I was mentally and physically worn out.

Today a few of us went into Florence, expecting to go on the 1pm train. Naturally the train never arrived (because why would something actually come when it is scheduled to?) and after about a half hour of waiting in the rain we decided to go take the bus instead. We went for the final day of the chocolate festival. Sorry mom, you would have loved it. I thought about getting some for you but then realized it would be not so good by the time you got here and obviously the postal service here is just not up to par. But I enjoyed a little bit for you so don't worry. Then of course the Italians were protesting about something or another in the street, so we joined in.

So that was pretty much my week! I'll be meeting my conversation partner tomorrow! Her name is Sara, but without the H. So we'll see how that goes. I'm partial to SaraH but I guess since she's Italian and all I'll give her a chance. But once I had a friend in the first grade named Sara and I didn't like her. She was my friend though. I think this will be different.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!