okay, NOW I'm in Rome.

My perky, optimistic post from yesterday turned out to be a bit premature. After I wrote that, I took a nap, woke up, and started crying. I think it was a combination of jet lag, heat, and the realization that I'm going to be very far from my comfort zone for the next three and a half months. Add that to not knowing anybody except for Alex and apparently you get tears.

I also didn't really feel like I was in Rome. Trastevere is a good neighborhood, but there's nothing distinctly Roman about it. It seems like it could be any city in Europe, if that makes sense. But today we did the touristy things with rest of the students in our program. We had a two hour bus tour during which, I'm afraid to say, most people fell asleep. I may or may not have nodded off. Don't judge me. We're still jet lagged and there was air conditioning. Enough said. After that we had a two hour long walking tour around the center of Rome. We saw the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps, along with several other gorgeous Bernini fountains and creations. What struck me the most was just how big all these things are. It's one thing to see pictures of the Pantheon. It's another experience to stand underneath those massive columns or under that enormous roof. I'm sure I felt the same way the average ancient Roman felt when he saw them: awe-struck and very, very small. Everything we saw today was absolutely beautiful. Now that I've seen some of the sights, I actually feel like I'm in the Eternal City, which is very nice. Tomorrow we head to the Roman Forum and the Coliseum for more tours. I'm definitely going back to explore once I get my bearings and some free time.

On the home/apartment front, we now have fans. Let me tell you, best 15-euro purchase ever. I actually feel sane in my room. Even though I still put on deodorant before bed just in case.

By the time we got back from the tours tonight it was 7:30, which meant my tummy was a'rumblin. Between the running around and the heat, I only managed to eat a banana for breakfast and chug a few gatorades on the super intense walk to the university. (More on that in a later post.) So we met up with the six girls who live on our floor, all of whom I really like, and we went out in search of sustenance. We passed up a few places because their menus were a little too pricey, but then we found a diamond in the rough. The restaurant we chose is just three or four blocks down and one to the right, and it is the best. The crazy middle-aged woman who ran the place was so charming in her own smack-you-on-the-head-when-it's-your-turn-to-order way. Hilarious. I finally got something I've been wanting for a long time: pizza margherita in Italy. It was like I had died and gone to mozzarella and marinara heaven. And the best part? Seventy five CENTS for a glass of really, really good chianti. I can't wait to take my parents and Ian there when they come visit. 

And now for a few of my favorite pictures of the day:

Raphael's tomb in the Pantheon.

I'm in Rome?

After a stress-filled day of departure during which Alex got sick, I threw out my back, and Hurricane Irene's aftermath did its best to keep us from getting to Newark on time, we've somehow managed to make it to our little apartment in Trastevere, Rome. The flight was very tolerable, despite the evil little girl who would not stop pushing on my seat and one very loud German child. We arrived early at 6:40 am instead of 7:15. We waited 20ish minutes for our luggage and then breezed through customs. And then we sat. And sat. Until around 8:30 when the ISA folks showed up. And guess what? We sat some more after that, waiting for more people from our program to arrive. But finally we got into the van and our nice Italian driverman brought us to our building. The ride in the tiny, ancient elevator with about 90lbs of luggage was a little tense, but Alex and I got to our apartment, picked a room with a balcony, and here we are. I'm almost done unpacking and then it's nap time. Besides the lack of air conditioning, this place seems alright for four months. I'll post pictures as soon as my room isn't a disaster.

Jersey, a day early

So there's this hurricane. Her name is Irene, and I hate her. I wasn't supposed to leave North Carolina until today, but dad and I decided it was best for me to peace out before Irene came a'knockin. Good thing I did. My original flight was canceled and I never would've gotten to New Jersey in time to leave for Italy on Monday evening. Hopefully the damage here won't be too bad and we'll be able to leave on time.

The Cons: I had to pack my stuff in a rush and now it's so disorganized that I have to unpack and then re-pack before I leave. I also forgot a paper I need to apply for my Permit to Stay in Italy. (What is it with these Italians and paperwork? They just love it.)

The Pros: I get to play with Milo for two whole days, the little black kitten who looks cute and innocent until he decides to pounce at your typing fingers and scratch the hell out of you. 

To summarize: I had to leave home early, didn't get to say goodbye to my brother or my best friend, and my suitcase is a disaster, but I get to play with a kitten. I can deal with this.

       

Victory.

The Italian Consulate finally came through for me. My passport/visa came yesterday! I can actually go to Italy now! Yeehaw.

Limbo.

I'm in that period when my school friends are starting to head back to Houston, my home friends are getting ready to return their schools, and I'm still here for three weeks. It makes me miss Rice. I know it won't be as bad once I'm actually in Italy, but right now I miss it like crazy. Lovett, my friends, my boyfriend, my professors, football games with all of 20 students in attendance, and maybe even Fondren (God help me).

Also, my student visa still hasn't arrived. Apparently the only thing less efficient than American government bureaucracy is Italian government bureaucracy. And that's frightening.