Gelato, jackets, and women

A lot has happened since my last post. It has been difficult to get online and I have preferred to be all-here lately, but I do want to share part of the story that is my life so I will try to post more often. Also I now live 3 minutes from studio instead of 30.

Rome is amazing and I love it. Two of my favorite things that standout to me in this metropolitan area of 4+ million people are the jackets and the women. The jackets vary in design and almost all of them are one's that I would want to wear. I was sad that I couldn't bring more of mine up here, but was happy to find a long black jacket that reminded me of probably my favorite jacket I've ever seen (which would be one of the green one in the beginning of Brotherhood of the Wolf). For those who don't know I'm attracted to dark haired girls, and apparently Rome is where these beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. It really makes me want to learn Italian and live here for a while. There are other unexpected features of the city that have not been as easy on the eyes. I've been surprised to see the amount of spray paint and homeless people around Rome, and while I have yet to see a wreck as it happens, I have seen the aftermath of a handful of wrecks that ended poorly for the mopedian. I've also seen the smoldering rubble of at least a dozen mopeds that included a charred streak up a building and a blown out 2nd floor window. These are probably the main 3 of a list of things that make it hard to believe I'm really in Rome. My mental image of the perfect-city Rome isn't exactly lining up with the Rome I'm experiencing, and I don't think they'll ever meet. There are some close encounters, however: walking into the Pantheon on a rainy day, stumbling into a random church that I've passed by many times and finding it to be utterly amazing inside, a typical Italian girl speaking, gelato, etc...

Speaking of gelato, one of my favorite memories in Rome so far was the first time I ate it here. I was with 3 friends from studio exploring the more well-known features of the city during our first week here. We found our way past the Pantheon, through some winding streets, and to Trevi fountain - which we all immediately claimed as one of the coolest things we'd seen so far. We got some gelato at a store that overlooked the fountain, and as soon as I started eating it 'Born in the USA' by Bruce Springsteen blared through the gelatoria. It rocked. The food in general here is awesome. I'll never get tired of eating panini and pizzas. I've been to a handful of good sit-down Italian food locations, and my roommates and I were surprised to find a really good Chinese restaurant.

Studio has been great this semester. Our professor is a native Italian so he naturally practices the Italian liesurely work. With a couple of cappicino breaks during our 3 hour class and lots of time between due dates, the studio is made complete with frequent trips out of the studio into Rome and surrounding areas. The first big day trip included a 30 minute train ride to Ostia Antica. This is the best place to see the ruins of a complete Roman city as most of it has been untouched (there is a building for food/souvenirs). Our 2nd big day trip took us to Pompeii (a 2 hour bus ride) and it was even better. Having been to a temporary exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago I felt even more familiar with the history of this ancient city that everyone needs to visit. I was surprised at how much of it is still standing, and probably enjoyed the local gladiator arena the most. The 3rd day trip we took was only a few days ago and left the other 2 in the ruinous dust - Hadrian's Villa. It's only a 45 min bus ride from Rome but takes a full day to see. This Villa for one man was so large that it was built in two phases, and it leaves even less to the imagination than Ostia Antica and Pompeii (pictured below). My favorite feature of it included a long pool of water with statues directly around it, hills on the long sides, a large oak tree on one end, and an enclave to gather in at the other.

Music. The culture here is funny to me because they all listen to tunes with English lyrics (for the most part), there are advertisements in English, mtv on tv, and tourists everywhere. I try to imagine the reciprocal with Dallas...just seems strange. Specially since so many Italians here don't speak English and/or speak the local Italian dialect which is impossible, from what I hear, to understand even if you know Italian. So music. I love it. Walking and exploring gives new experiences to favorite songs, like eating a favorite dish at a new, unique restaurant. At first I was getting goosebumps really easily. My favorite songs lately have had lyrics that resound with my steps*. I've been without most of my music (including all my favorite artists), but I'm hoping that will change soon.

Crepes. One evening I was invited by 2 girls in studio to a house to eat crepes that were being cooked by students of another school. Sounded fun so me and 1 other guy went and had crepes with about 10 girls. There were people from all over: U.S., Finland, Switzerland, etc. I was one of the last to go through the serving line so I grabbed 2 crepes and loaded them with nutella (which is everywhere here), apple sauce, cheese, and other assortments that were on the fixin's table. I didn't think I would get full that night, but ended up eating 5 total; they had leftovers. I stayed until the last guests left and talked with one guy there about getting a guitar and joining him in his cello playing out at the Roman streets and piazzas. I really wish I had my guitar.

Superbowl. Hard rock cafe is where 8 of us went to watch the Superbowl at 12:30 am. For 16 Euros we got reservations that went quick, 2 beers, chips and salsa, and a sweet mug souvenir. To the shagrin of my roommates I was rooting for the NY Giants because they beat the cowboys (so they needed to go all the way) and also so that I could joke about how much Eli Manning is than Peyton (which I haven't gotten to do yet since none of my friends here like the Colts). He's way better, Wes and Dre. Before the game started I waited at a table with my new Finish friend, Taina, with some other Italians who were waiting for people. Samuel, who I met while waiting, was one of the Italians who was also rooting for NY since his dad works there. I ended up sitting at the table in front of his group so throughout the game I would get pats on the back or get up and cheer with 10 Italians. Before the game he hit me so that I would stand with him for the national anthem. Hand on my heart and everything with 1 other person in the room. Halftime happened outside. The sidewalk was big enough for a 4 vs 4 football game in which I was the only one who spoke fluent English. With a hodge-podge court that had a car parked on one side, short passes that usually fell incomplete, and more laughter than sweat it felt like I was in Middle School. After the second half the cheers at the end of the game lasted from the tv to down the street.

Church. A few friends from studio told me about the Baptist Church of Rome where I went this past Sunday for the first time. It was relieving to sing old English hymns again, and I found Dani, the cook from the crepes night, to sit by. At the end they had all us first-timers to stand up and say our name and where we're from. This allowed for me to meet a handful of people who came up to me afterwards. One of which was a DTS professor who's here on sabbatical. He's heard of you, Gunter, but hasn't met you. The meetings continued into lunch as a large group of us walked to a sit-down restaurant. I met a girl from Jamaica and another from Wales. I've found it's easy meeting people in Rome. Well, maybe not Italians.

Travels.
I've gone on 2 awesome weekend trips within Italy (Sorrento and Capri; Bologna and Ravenna) which I will post about soon. I'm going to Florence with the Studio tomorrow and Athens for Spring Break with a group of people. I have about 3 weeks after Studio finishes on April 24th before I head home to do the majority of my traveling. There are a few trips I'd like to do before then, and the top of those is snowboarding in Switzerland. Stories and pictures will abound.







*
Copeland - Thanks to you
This far from home,
It doesn't feel as far when I know you're doing well.
Distance is what you make it.
The distance is what you make it.

I hope that you can see the strength that pulled us through
Is now passed on to me I wear it like you always do.

Underoath - Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape
Hey unfaithful I will teach you
To be stronger, to be stronger
Hey ungraceful I will teach you
To forgive one another...
And Jesus I'm ready to come home

The National - Mistaken for strangers
You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends
when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery citibank lights

Ryan Adams - Friends (from memory not ipod)