January 14, 2009- Day 2- Getting Used to It

Lunch today was great. We had mini sandwiches of cheese and ham and various other things like little clementines that were to dieeee for! We had a meeting at school where we met the dean (who is very nice and understanding and down to earth) and met Gianni who is a sort of student affairs person who just helps us with the gaps between American and Italian cultures, language, etc. We learned to appreciate our time abroad, get to know Rome, travel a bit, and enjoy our young lives. We also learned that if we need expensive items to be shipped here from the U.S. or if we need any medicine, those sending them should mix it into boxes of candies! Hahaha! Afterwards, Lauren and I met up with Renee and we walked to a Tabaccheria to get a bus ticket but decided to walk to Piazza del Popolo instead. We took some photos, got gelato, and I went to the bathroom in a very pretty, very fancy hotel along Via del Corso. We were truly doing as the Romans do and walking along the shops and cafes, looking at all the pretty things and taking in the scenery. We walked to the Trevi Fountain after many wrong turns and bad directions from mean Italians. Of course, we threw coins into the fountain and took more pictures.

We are SO close to Piazza Del Popolo, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and much more. It’s so great and I’m sure I’ll be spending plenty of money on Via del Corso where all the shopping is. I attempted to call Samantha about 10000 times because she was here for the weekend with her friend but my British phone sucks! I could hardly get a hold of her. I got in touch once and planned to meet her at Termini metro near her hostel. Afterwards, Lauren, Renee, and I took a bus back to the residence and had dinner at a place called Starbess down the street. I ordered pasta with vodka sauce. The food was pretty good, very filling, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. We all got a kick out of the 70’s and 80’s music they played like Thriller and Mamma Mia. I wanted to see Samantha but it was getting late and the trains and buses were about to shut down by the time I decided to go out. I tried calling her but couldn’t get in touch, of course! I felt really terrible and wanted to see her and wanted to be with a familiar face and a great friend, but we will plan something else to do in the next few months. We ended up going out with the boys that live next door, Marcus, Nick, and Roy and their friends like Sophia, Jess, Lauren, and some others. We first had some wine in their room from huge jugs (probably like 4 or 5 bottles worth of wine) that only cost 7.50 Euro! AMAZING! We planned on going to Campo de’Fiori which is supposed to be a big American student and skeezy Italian man hotspot with bars and clubs, but it rained and we went to Elliot’s pub 2 blocks up from the residence. We sat outside under tents and chatted all night and drank a bit. I met some really cool girls and had a good time. We talked about school, home, friends, drinking, how amazing this experience is, and what our future plans are during the semester. I was convinced in a conversation with one of them that I should keep a log. So I am. I feel like the friends I made tonight were probably some I will travel with and go out with very often. Overall, a very fun second night.