Highlights from the Week

So I have been very busy with my dad here. Here are some highlights from the past few days.

Castel Sant'Angelo

St. Peter's

cool dad

so much gelato

Vatican Museums

School of Athens--Moreau!!!

Pastificio--3rd time in a week

Stadio Olimpico

Il Vittoriano

Pastificio and Giolitti

Today was my unofficial food tour of Rome. I went to Pastificio for lunch and Giolitti for gelato afterwards. They both have been praised many times and I needed to try them before I leave in two weeks. So first up was Pastificio. A little place by the Spanish Steps, you would have no idea what wonderfulness is inside. When I arrived at 1:05, the line was out the door. I had to wait 20 minutes or so for my pasta. It only serves lunch from 1 to 2 and only has two pasta dishes per day. I got something--not really sure what. It was thick spaghetti in a red sauce. But it was very yummy. You can get your pasta to go or find a space on the counter to eat there. They have complementary wine and water. And the best part? It was a big serving for only 4 euros. I want to go back before I leave!

before

after

 My dessert was gelato at Giolitti. I had to wait a little because the pasta filled me up. So I walked 10 minutes to Giolitti, which is near the Pantheon, right by Piazza Colonna. There was a line but I didn't mind waiting. I had to pick from the many delicious flavors. I ended up getting mint and biscotto oreo with cream on top. It was so good. The cream went well with the flavors. The mint was so minty--it was a natural taste. And it was a decent size too.

Pastificio
Via Della Croce, 8

Giolitti
Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40

EUR

Today was my last day of "Art of Rome." I am so thrilled sad to be finished with that class, except for the final in two weeks. For class, we met at the Colosseum metro station. Well first, I thought I wasn;t going to make it on time. The tram was packed so I walked to the bus--but the bus just left! I would have had to wait another 10 minutes or so and I already was freaking out. I decided to get on the tram and then take the 75 bus. It worked perfectly. I got off the tram and ran to catch the 75. Made it in time. And then I was 25 minutes early for class! Who knew?

Anyway, we got on the metro to go to EUR. In 1942, there was supposed to be a world fair in Rome. However, a little event got in the way (aka WWII for those people who don't know anything) and the project was stopped. So Mussolini planned EUR to celebrate facism and Italy's greatness. Now, it is a business and residential area. It is very spread out, in a grid, with wide streets. It felt like America. But the buildings are all very minimalistic and plain.

cube Colosseum

looks like St. Peter's

Guess Who's Coming to Rome?

So guess who I found in Rome this morning?? My dad!! My first two classes were cancelled so I was able to show him around and we even went places I never went to before. We saw the church of Saint Cecilia and wandered around Trastevere. We ordered pizza by the slice for lunch We went to Isola Tiberina and the Jewish ghetto. We finally made our way back to AUR. I went to class and my dad went to his hotel (probably to sleep). We met up for dinner at Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere. We found a restaurant and I got spaghetti a cacio e pepe. It was very good. Then we walked back--my dad to his hotel and me to my apartment. It was a long day but once I get through my quiz and class tomorrow morning, I'm free until Monday!

Maderno's Santa Cecilia

Church of Saint Cecilia

Already acting like a Roman!

Bernini's turtle fountain

occupied since the 1980s

Complaining and Some Other Good Stuff

I haven't done much today. Like most days this year, I almost cried because I couldn't find any current information on the aspirin market (a nice librarian helped me via the "Ask a Librarian" thing on our library's website). And I wasn't feeling great as I walked the streets of the market this morning, looking for gifts for people. I've been here more than three months and only finished buying gifts for two people! I don't even want to talk about it. And it was hot and crowded and I was hungry. Also, everything I wanted, for myself, was too expensive! Anyway, instead of complaining this whole time, I want to share three things with you. One is a post from my friend Catherine, who is studying in Ireland. The other two are videos that two friends made, Cody and Dan, that were shown at Campus Movie Fest.

I had to watch it like 12 times before I understood, but I was just being dumb. It is very good. Look for Cody's cameo around 1:40. But I don't want to ruin it for you by telling you how it affected me!

Alright well it is taking forever to get the second video up, so here's the link. I thought it was very funny because I like puns and stuff. And candy.

Last but not least is Catherine's post. She recently went to visit relatives who live in Ireland. It is very touching and sweet. But to me, it is bittersweet. I wish I had family who lived in a small town somehwhere to take me in for a few days. And so I could see where someone from my family lived. I guess I do have something like that inside the US, in Bethlehem (I love going there!), but still!

Swedish Choir Concert

Well yesterday was a rarity for me. I slept 12 hours, woke up at 11, ran, and then never left the apartment. I didn't even get any work done. I spent a good chunk of my day watching Campus Movie Fest movies.

Anywho, today I was regular me. I woke up early, ran, and almost finished my paper. By almost, I mean I went over the page limit and now have to cut things out. Tonight, I went to a Swedish choir concert. It was amazing. When I went to mass last Sunday, they mentioned it and I planned on attending. It was something Rick Steves would go to. Anyway, I loved it. I now want to go to Sweden or Norway or any of the Nordic countries. One day I will. Afterwards, I got gelato again at Della Palma (mint and biscotto). So good. I got to see Rome at night, which is pretty neat and I wish I went out more at night to see it.

rain

the chior

Piazza Navona

Villa Borghese

Today I went to Villa Borghese, a large public park near the Spanish Steps. The park is huge--it contains a zoo, a replica Globe Theater, and a movie theater, to name a few highlights. I just walked around, enjoying the beautiful weather. Today is Liberation Day, when Allied troops liberated Italy from Nazi occupation. It is a national holiday so many Italians are off from work. So, the park and the streets were extremely crowded. It was a little overwhelming, especially for a Thursday. To escape the crowds on Via del Corso, I walked along Via Margutta, a street famous for its artists and exclusive residents. After Villa Borghese, I got a little lost, found my sense of direction, and headed back toward the tram. After getting to the Pantheon, I had the bright idea to get gelato at Della Palma, a gelateria with 150 flavors. So many to choose from. I ended up getting peanut butter and Kit Kat. So good. As I walked home, I wandered through Trastevere. I finally got back to my apartment, after walking so many miles today.

Via Margutta

Piazza del Popolo

balloons at Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese