Week of October 20-26

This was another crazy week!

Monday thank goodness I didn't have my early class this morning, I got to sleep in for a bit! Today I had work and then Alison came over afterwards and we "studied" for Italian and watched "The Devil Wears Prada."

Tuesday I had off work and I was going to to the gym I swear! But, it was still closed so I did some sit ups in my room haha. I made some errands today and made my hair appointment. I skyped with my parents and then Alison came over again and we studied for our Italian test some more and rewarded ourselves with watching the rest of "The Devil Wears Prada."

Wednesday we had our Italian test, which I actually remember going pretty well!! I then had work and my internship seminar class.

Thursday I had class and work. Afterwards I walked to IES to meet Alison and we debated between Gelato for dinner or Aperitivo and went with Aperitivo at the place IES took us to during our first week here. Yum Yum

Friday I was late to class. Which was unfortunate because my class had left for a surprise field trip! Haha...but I managed to track them down with Marcela's help and found them at the Leonordo Di Vinci museum where we made these ceramic tiles with pear paintings on them. It was really fun actually! Then Alison and I took off after class to catch our trains from Centrale...Ha Alison got hers just in time. Actually, she was late, but so is Italy so it worked out OK....

So, this next part I am typing up from a handwritten journal I had already written on this actual Friday...

Friday , 24 Oct 08
1:15pm

So, I am on my way to Rome! Hooray! Although...about 5 minutes ago a man came up to me and old me I was in his seat...so I showed him my ticket to prove him wrong and turns out his ticket said exactly the same thing...hmm thanks Italy! But, I'm already sitting, so he found another seat, I assume.
I am really excited to go to Rome! Initially it was just me and Marcela, but now we are going with three guys as well...Ben, Dereck, and Dennis. Because I have a eurail pass I decided to take the fast train (Eurostar) at 1pm. The others are taking a slow train later. And...I LOVE EUROSTAR TRAINS...They're amazing...clean, fast, big comfy seats, totally worth everything. Aaaand my tickets only cost me 30euo because I have a pass! :) Greyson called me this morning and I cant wait to see him! I had kind of forgotten I get to see him! Yay!
However, I am really worried about getting stuff stolen in Rome. So, I am being suer paranoid about everything...So I'd actually like to say thanks to Dad because I think that's genetics! Ha. But really, I am going to be very careful and I really am glad Dad has managed to instill at least a minimal level of paranoia in me.
Hmm...side note...the person sitting next to me smells horrible. Like...real bad. I don't understand why Converse has made it to Italy but deodorant hasn't...I went to the store to get some more deodorant and 1. It was near impossible to find, hidden beind another rack of stuff 2. There were no more than 3 or 4 choices in a small corner...WHY?! Someone needs to get in touch with the U.S. deodorant companies because they are missing out on a substantial opportunity for profit: The greater part of the Italian population. Get that stuff over here, get the marketing department at work and can we please put an end to this madness?! I declare war on Italian body odor.
Well, that's all for now...I'm sleepy...AND I bought an English gossip magazine! Excitement.

Saturday, Oct 25 2008
Got off the train and headed to the hostel (got in around 5:30pm) it was pretty easy really. Once I checked in, I met up with Greyson! We walked around and got dinner at a restaurant by The Colosseum-ish. We saw an icebar! Which I really want to go to and apparently there is one in Milan?
So...Marcela and the boys got in later...but they didn't bring their passports so they had some problems checking in. But, we finally met up with them around 11:30pm at the castle. We walked around and took pictures and finally wandered home around 2/3am...I was ery tired. Our hostel isn't bad A bit dirty bu oh well, ha, it's a hostel.
Saturday(today) we woke up around 9:30am and showered...then we went to the train station and bought a "Rome Pass" which was a great investment. 20euro= 2 free museum/attraction entrances, discounts, and free metro/bus passes. SO, we went to the Colosseum first and to the ruins. Then we walked to the E.M. II Monument and climbed up it! Greyson and I went to the very top but the other's didn't because it cost 7euro...But honestly, it was sooo worth it! I love city landscape views and it was really the best part of my day. It was gorgeous and the view was so amazing. Wow. Afterwards, we headed towards the Pantheon but got a late lunch first (yum pizza). Oooh...I almost forgot, we saw people dressed up as guards/roman soldiers at the Colosseum and took pictures with them...turns out that was 5euro each...WHAT?! Ha...oops. Anyway, then we went to the Trevi Fountain, my favorite place in Rome I think :) But, the rainclouds were beginning to move in so we made a mad dash for the Spanish Steps when it started to pour...and we called it a day and we filtered into the ridiculously over packed metro.
Also, this is funny, being here kind of makes me miss my parents. I think it's because I've done so much traveling with them it makes me think about how lucky I am! Ok, I have to jump in the shower before the German(?) girls do so I will have to finish this thought in a bit!

Sunday 26 Oct 2008
Last night was actually pretty fun! We ended up going to a hip/young area for dinner. Marcela and I split spaghetti carbonara which was amazing...and drank lots of wine. Yum :) Also, Ben made friends with this random Engligh guy at the hostel...Dave...so he came to dinner too. Haha...After dinner, Dave left, and we wandered around and went to campo di Fiori to meet Jess! (and Matt) We got some yummy nd cheap drinks and then in my slightly inebriated frame of mind, I bought some fake Rayban sunglasses for 10euro! Haha oops. Then we found Matt and Jess Yay!! We wanted to get Matt a drink because it was his 12:01 (21!) so we found another bar...Dennis bought him a shot but didn't take one with him! 'My group' wanted to leave but I wanted Matt to have a fun bday so I took a shot with him!...turns out they were doubles...of tequila...but it was his birthday so I obliged. Ha, oh well. It was fun and he seemed happy so then we walked back to the hostel.
Sunday(today) They all got up and went to the Vatican so I passed on that and decided to wander about for a bit. I went over to Piazza Cavour, another Piazza, then the Pantheon (but there was a mass so I couldn't go in again!) So then I wandered around some more and went over to the Trevi Fountain and got gelato. Then I met Matt and Jess back at the Pantheon and we actually got to go in this time! We took some pictures back at the Trevi Fountain (Oh, by the way when I was walking around the Vatican I found the most hilarious postcard for Teresa. I'm so excited...It's a big picture of Pope Benni...its great. He looks so pleased.) Then I walked up via Vorsa and saw the big Piazza at the end. By this time it was time for me to get my stuff and head to the train station. (Also, I found this really cool/funny kitchen supplies store by the Trevi Fountain. It was really cool with stuff from all over.) All in all a good trip and I enjoyed myself! It was really good to see Jess again actually. It's wierd I wont be seeing her until January...in our new APARTMENT!! :)
The guys we went with were really nice...I liked them a lot. Especially because I think sometimes it can be hard traveling with people you don't know. Or at least, with different traveling styles. Also, I've learned that I actually quite like wandering around by myself doing whatever I like ha.
It's weird. Europe travel/tourism is definitely different without my parents! I'm not quite sure how money seems to vanish so quickly and Im trying really hard! I also really want to bring my parents back lots of goodies since they've put up a lot of money to fun my trip. I really wish they could come visit! I am kind of regretting not getting that travel journal/diary from Borders. Man I'm tired. And hungry. I'm taking a Tylenolpm at 10pm tonight. I need to get some sleep and start this week off well! I'm excited for the F1 race on Sunday, my hair appt, Aperitivo on Weds, November, Grandma and Granddad again, Paris, and more!

Hmm ok. I think I'm going to write Teresa's postcard now haha.