Day Duo

Having the best sleep I had this entire January I wake up to an absurd beeping. Naturally it was apart of my dream but then I realized it was the alarm Libby and I set for 8am. We planned to get ready fast, find a market for a few groceries (the only eatable items we had were emergen-c powder, vitamins, and pills) then take the bus to receive student cards and our Permit to Stay at our University (AUR). Enough time to get dressed and leave our place if we wanted to get to our destination at 1030 right? Wrong.

Leaving at 9, we grabbed food at the cute and classy bar connected to our apartment, ordering a fanta and a no-crust white bread sandwich with tomatoes, chicken, and spinach. The people didn't know english. Libby froze and tried to use her spanish... luckily because my parents drilled me with a few words before I left, we were able to get out of there quickly. We walked to the tramline which is one block away with our apartment with our one bus pass and our sheet of directions to the university. Long story short- we were at each other's throats until 11:30 (when we finally arrived to AUR). Why 3.5 hours later? We didn't read the directions carefully enough and arrived in front of the colosseum...oh hey there! (In our directions it told us to get off after we passed under the arches-Libby was positive the arches were the colosseum's).  Freaking out because we thought we were late, we probably walked 3 miles back and forth. In this time I asked a tour guide for directions (didn't really help but he thought he was fancy with his iphone, which told us we were only a 40 minute walk away), a young couple with their baby who laughed and responded with "prego" whenever we replied, "grazie," (they had no idea where we should go either.)
We decided to start over and arrived to AUR, relieved to hear american speaking people. Also- a huge weight off our shoulders when we realized 10:30-5 was the time frame you can go and not the start to finish time.

Something I learned today: 

There is a bar (caffè/sandwich store) every block.
The bus passes are meant for the tramline, bus, and train. We received a one-time use pass...never used it.. bought 6 more but then told that people don't use them unless there is an officer on the bus (then you are fined 45 euros).
   Something to think about: ...Is this why there are so many bus strikes in Italy?

On our way back, we stopped in many stores...LOVING EVERY SECOND. Why? Because the following made us smile:

-old women on the motorcycles

-bars/markets open 

-delis open with happy middle-aged men working

-women with dogs inside the butcher store

-fooled for being italian (people thought I was a local) *blush*

-we had the bus lines down to a tee and our friendship back 

-roommates arrived! (3 girls from Miami U)

Enjoyment of the day:

-After ditching a 'tour around the university' libby and I went back and stopped in a store to buy a bottle of wine. The man working didn't know English but we were able to communicate with him with hand gestures and the few words we know. He not only helped us pick out fantastico una bottiglia de vino bianco but also gave us multiple samples of bread with pesto, different cheeses, and eau claires. He knew I was italian and after I told him I was Sicilian he made me try the sharp Sicilian cheese. He loved our charm and our attempt to speak Italiano for him. (Yes- we did indeed break out the 'jiffy phrasebook for Italy' book to say a few things). 

We purchased the bottle of wine, pesto, bread and cheese. 

Thank goodness we practiced unlocking and locking our door the night before- it's not just old school but old Rome locks and keys. 

NOTE: When ordering a pizza or 'slice' of (flat) bread they will ask if you want 'whole or half) and then weigh it out for you. Most of the bars with panini, pizzeria, e sandwiches will heat them up after  for you)

CAIO!