Orientation: Also Known as Sweat Fest 2012

Rome is beautiful, but it is also excessively hot. Even the locals leave to escape the heat; the city comes back to life after September 5.  The Piazza Trilussa which is right in between my two campuses is apparently a popular spot at night, so I'm interested to see what that will be like. 

Two nights ago was my first experience eating at a restaurant in Rome. Granted, it was a little tourist-y and the menu had an English side, but I tried to order in Italian despite the fact that the waiter had already spoken to us in English and that I said to the waiter "I want to order in Italian".. in English. 

(Today's fun fact: I was told that having straight teeth  is a tell-tale sign that you are an American). 

Unfortunately I have not had gelato or coffee but I am hoping to have both tomorrow.  I am still a little hesitant to "go off the beaten track" in the city to find the hidden and unique shops. On the bright side, today me and my other friend from UW wandered around and ended up by the Colosseum. I wish I had my guide book with me so I could have found out more about that particular area of the city. We ended up seeing the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, which is a adorned with several bronze sculptures. 

Later in the day we were given a tour of our campuses, which was extremely confusing and way too fast-paced. I am excited by the Guarini campus though because it has at least three terraces that overlook parts of the city and are relatively quiet. 

I think my favorite part of being in Rome so far was the walking tour/ multiple course meal  with Andy Steves, who is Rick Steves' son. He just graduated college two years ago and created a touring company specifically for study abroad students. It is very easy to become captivated by his quick wit and extensive knowledge of traveling. My favorite places were the Piazza Navona (which has an amazingly ornate fountain, called Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or the fountain of the four rivers. The rivers represented were the four rivers that were the main rivers that were known at the time it was created: the Ganges, the Plate, the Danube, and the Nile). 
Dinner was SO GOOD. Even though the restaurant, Miscellanea, was definitely Americanized, the food was delicious (pasta with a spicy red sauce and a pizza with a hint of lemon) and it was great to be able to meet more people who are studying abroad at JCU for the semester. I was even able to try Fragolino, or "sexy wine" for dessert. I think it tastes like sparkling grape juice. 

I think most people here came to study abroad in Rome because they are adventurous, but I think I will become adventurous because I am studying abroad in Rome. At least I hope.

The Tiber or Tevere River. This is the view as I cross the Ponte Sisto Bridge, which is right by one of JCU's campuses

This area of Trastevere was once part of a pier; the restaurant used to be where everyone was able to pick up their food,. It has stayed a restaurant ever since. 

A part of an ancient fire station in Trastevere. 

Walking through Trastevere

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere

A store in Piazza Santa Maria-how cool is this door frame?

Where Julius Caesar was assassinated - it's right outside of  the Roman Forum
(Fun fact: this doubles as a cat sanctuary) 

National Monument to Victor Emanuele II, completed in 1935.  I didn't know this until researching, but apparently it destroyed a large portion of the historic Capitoline hill and a medieval neighborhood during its construction. As a result, many natives to Rome hate the structure. The one good part about this building is that you can see it from almost anywhere in the city. It's my "north star" because if I am here, I know how to get back.

Four Rivers Fountain or Fountana dei Quattro Fiumi. The four river gods represent each of the great rivers in continents known during the mid 1600s: The Ganges in Asia, The Danube in Europe, Rio de la Plata in America and Nile in Egypt. The top of the fountain is an Egyptian obelisk. 

The river god of the Nile: the head is symbolically covered because at this time no one knew the source of the Nile's water. (this one's my favorite)

 Sant'Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona.  The side on the left was created during the Renaissance era and the side on the right was created during the Baroque era. 

 A fresco in the church Sant'Agnese in Agone  in Piazza Navona

Where I went to dinner on Andy Steves' tour. Verdict: Really good food, Americanized  restaurant (There were flags of several colleges and an American flag on the walls)

Campo de' Fiori: The cloaked statue in the center of the square is Giordano Bruno, who was burned at the stake in 1600 for heresy. 

Jewish ghetto! (I got a little too excited when I saw this... apparently in this area "pizza" is actually a cookie and you have to say "pizza pizza" if you actually want pizza. I'm coming back here pronto)

Crossing the Tiber to go back to Trastevere. How pretty is this view?

 The building to the left is one of my campuses, the Guarini campus.  (I need to research what this arch used to be a part of)

Next mission: find a detailed tour of the Colosseum. I don't want to go inside without a tour- there's too much I want to learn.






More to come later- Ciao! (Apparently "ciao" is a very informal way to say goodbye and inappropriate to use with anyone other than friends/family. The people here use it in their shops/restaurants when you leave though. I have to practice my "buongiorno" and "arrivederci."