No class Tuesdays-FINALLY worked out....as in went for a twenty minute run to Testaccio and around that neighborhood. Libby's business class got cancelled so we went and explored. We went to the 'peephole' that is relevantly close to our apartment. The peephole itself was worth looking through...but then we found a park Piazza Fiorenzo Fiorentini that had an amazing outlook (if only the trees weren't bare..how more green and full the scenery would've looked), orange trees, and a nice, calm atmosphere. ...This called for a little photo-shoot.
Waking up to 'just another day' this Monday meant: I was sweating in bed around 7AM when the sunrise was shining in my room...but then the blue skies started to change to blue-gray (guess I should write grey since I'm in Europe..) It started drizzling- just our luck for our rescheduled on-sight class for Roman Empire and Republic Era. We bought a janky umbrella for €3 from a man. It was wet, rainy, cold, and we were supposed to take notes...didn't seem fair.
-Met at a temple which was dedicated to Hercules. (I pass this temple a few times a week...finally has significance)
-Walked and stopped in the middle of Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus) which is in between the Palatine and Aventine Hill. It is a little under 1/2 a mile where they held chariot races, and circuses. Because it is Rome's largest venue, it is used as not only a public park but a venue for big events.
After a long night upgrading my ipod touch so I can get apps, 6AM came quickly. I have no trust in the 170 bus to the termini... once again- it didn't show! Luckily since it was closer to 6-630, more buses/trams were going (compared to 530am for Florence the other week). Libby and I walked up our block, thinking maybe we'll take the tram to the end and figure out how to get to the termini from there...but then I saw the H Termini bus. the H bus's stop wasn't for a few blocks down, but I decided to take one for the team- I went in the middle of the street, put my hand out to stop the bus. He stopped for us and let us on...thank goodness!! We did Bus2Laps which is a student travel group that travels all throughout Europe. We met at the termini and didn't see too many familiar faces. We took the double decker coach bus for 7 hours. SEVEN HOURS. I must have slept for at least four because it wasn't that bad.
We met three girls who go to AUR and live on our block as well. They were a blast! Right when we got off, we bought masks (they are cheaper then inside the carnival and on the island). Carnevale di Venezia starts two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Fat Tuesday/Martedi Grasso. The entire carnival is about being someone you aren't. We saw avatars, gremlins, princes, duchesses, lego costumes, flipflops- anything and everything! If you aren't into body paint and corsets, masks are common as well. The mask levels all distinction. This was a time for people to travel to Venice from all over, and do things that are usually frowned upon. Masks hide your identity. It was/is a time for the poor to feel/dress like the richest of the rich, and the rich to dress like peasants. My language teacher told us that Carnevale has no limits- insults included.
We traveled by 'water bus' which we decided is equivalent to a tram (water taxis-buses, gondolas-Mercede private taxis). It was so exciting traveling to the main land by boat, seeing the exciting activity on shore, trying to understand Venice is a region on stilts..crazy.
When we got off our water bus, the land was crowded with people dressed in their costumes.
HIGHLIGHTS and WHAT NOTS:
-trying caldo vino (rosso). It was delicious.
-taking pictures with all the extravagant costumes...and the odd ones
-walking around with open bottles (not that you can't do that in Rome, it just amazes me how care free the day was).
-buying gifts for friends and families (magnet bottle openers, sweatshirts)
-walking on the Rialto Bridge and not understanding the hoopplah about it until now. It's 1/4 bridges in Venice but this is the oldest bridge across the canal and was the dividing line for San Marco and San Polo. It went through some rough times but was completed in 1591 and is still standing today.
-walking through the streets with all the shops (Gucci, Prada, CHANEL, D&G etc).
-meeting 'Uncle Mark.' This guy showed us around for about 2 hours with his nephew, his nephew's friend Roman, and two German girls. He was obnoxious and made sure that people knew we were American tourists......he showed us some 'famous spots' such as a bar called Harry's where Giuseppe Cipriani bartended (someone tell me who he is..), Bruno Magli where Oj Simpson bought his shoes to kill and other places, such as a small shop to re-glue a kid's mask that he broke, a wine bar so some girls could use the bathroom (but he had to buy a drink for them to do so-he kept the glass..and gave it to us so now we have one wine glass in our apartment). When he brought us to St. Mark's Square we separated.
-Eating pizza
-eating more pizza at a sit down
-St. Mark's Square (where the carnival is centered around).
-Meeting Jen, Erin, and Nathalie
-Taking the water bus back at night- looking at the lights around us, feeling so blessed that I was able to experience such an event.
-HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY. Last weekend of the carnival was a great idea!
The way back Pros+ and Cons-
-Almost went back to Florence instead of Rome. There were two Bus2Alps buses that came from Rome and Florence. We all got wristbands- Rome's were royal blue, Florence's were green/blue. Thank goodness I noticed the unfamiliar people and noticed the other color difference of the wristbands...otherwise we would have gone to Florence!
-Couldn't sleep comfortably.. don't think I slept at all on the way back.
+ My ipod soothed my tension. Shout out to Adele and Rick Steve' Podcast
-no wifi
-/+ Got back right around 5:30AM..did't have issues finding a bus to get back home... sad thing was, we wanted to go to bed but the sun was up and people were setting up for the market.
Exactly 24 hours for a 8 hour event. Money spent, lessons learned..worth it.
Museum On-sight for Art class This morning I went to Rome's center for the first time to meet my class at the Mcdonald's in Piazza della Repubblica (Republic Square) before heading over to the National Museum of Rome (Museo Nazionale Romano). I ordered a cappuccino e paneal cioccolato for €1,80 (seems like a deal to me). Now, this Mcdonald's had an upstairs, and a downstairs with three different sections to order- one for breakfast drinks and pastries (Seemed to me like a bakery not a Mickey's), then around the corner you could order everything else (including kiwi on a stick). The ticket for the museum was €7 and good for three days in three other museums besides that one.
Inside, my class sat down and sketched in [this] room for a good 45 minutes. Half the class was sketching on one side and vis versa. We discussed the difference in the fresco painting itself- the different types of birds, fruits, and trees. Why is this four-walled painting so significant? Turns out it was for the rich family to enjoy during the summer. Yes- you think I meant winter or when the garden lacked the liveliness.. But it happens to be that they were so spoiled that they wanted to enjoy their garden (filled with eternity/pomegranates) comfortably and enjoyably inside instead of in person in the hot days.
During this class, I learned how to interpret which era a statue was made. Statues were first sculpted as soldiers of perfect-booty'd men...eventually they put heads of either the rich, emperors, or important men...on these stiff statues. Soon they developed the 'naturale look' which consisted of statues with a bent knee, more comfortable looking than a guard look. However, they still had still-staring off-to-nothing faces on these types of bodies. Later artists began to put facial expressions on the statues. Naked and perfectly chizzled men began to have face wrinkles..or at least more related looking faces compared to the perfect cheekbone, noses, and jawline. I learned how to detect who the statue is by the features (thick and curly hair like Apollo or big ears for Augustus) All marble statues are sadly not guaranteed (90% of the time) the original work. They were all bronze once but either at the time they needed the bronze for i.e war tools. Artists duplicated with marble but would revise the original because bronze is able to stand up by itself but marble needs assistence in balance (this is why there's a leg leaning against a tree stump most of the time).
When I came back, my roommates Libby and Daniella decided to walk around because it was such a beautiful day out. We discovered downtown Trestevere. Ate at a famous known cannoli cafe called Ciuri Ciuri Got €10 black boots until I find my perfect pair. Went to school to print off my ticket for CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA
Few hours later, Libby and I went to Via Del Corso to find a shop. <Unsuccessful. HOWEVER we walked to the end and found Roma Carnevale-kid style. We were pleasantly surprised to see horses, jesters, clowns on stilts, mini muppet/puppet shows etc. As I was goo goo eyed over a magician throwing his fire balls in the air Romans were goo-goo eyed over us.. These guys wanted to take a picture of us...on Libbys phone (how does that work?)
As we laughed about it on our escape back to meet our roommate Nicole for dinner I made eye contact w a group of five bello itianos. When i told lib to turn around and check them out they just happened to look back. Tehehe ohmygoodness. Looks weren't enough for two of them as they turned around to catch up to us. ...of course they didn't know English but bene, si, grazie, and non capisco works enough for us.. They ended up taking us to gelateria bar. Feeding us vini bianco e chips (potatoe but I wasn't able to try cuz lib was being hand fed them!), bruschetta, and stomach egg and mayo no crust sandwiches. They were 21 and 23- artists who fell in love too quickly. As i was relaxed, enjoying this comical experience and a free glass of wine, I look over at Libby and she is giving me the death glare. Her man wanted to live back in the states with her and the storlies..., "molto rapido" Libby told him. Ha! Even though we were already late for our dinner plans we still had an excuse to ditch these new lovers. As they walked us down a ways on via del corso, they held out hands and tried to kiss us. Every. Minute. And every block. Eeeugh this is what we see around but molto rapido boys- no bene!
Libby insisted on us getting drinks after that..so we went to Trinity College right off Del Corso. It was a nice bar inside where we enjoyed a few drinks and tacos! mmmmm:)
Later that night, we went out with our roommate Nicole and her Italian friend (we are convinced he is way too into himself). He is some type of promotor/studying law/model who knows the hotspots... That I give him credit. Him and his friend bought us drinks at a bar somewhere near piazza....(?) After that- we went to an exclusive italian club called La Cabala http://www.hdo.it/flash/index_en.htm (check it out). There were entertainers walking around, live dj's singing the whole time...it was great- because we ditched the guys and danced just us girls. At the end of the night, we went downstairs where only about 7 people were surrounding a piano singing. There were two bartenders and three butler guys standing in spots- near the bar, near a door, and near the exit. Long story short- we ended up staying at leaasst another hour, dancing and singing like it was a wedding! Libby requested Miley Cyrus's party in the USA song but instead the guy started singing Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA...which we belted.
The road right before the school's gates leads you down a road to a T. If you take a left, there are green gates that lead you up steep beautiful brick steps where the library resides. You can enjoy studying outside off the balcony in the sun or shade- or you have the option to go inside. Since there is snow and 'watch for ice spot' signs all over the place with crime tape sectioned off in some spots, I decided to play it safe and go inside...hoping it would be warmer as well. The 'library' is nothing like back at home. Ok, I take that back...it has books. And a computer room. But the whole 'shhh' factor doesn't apply here. At least, for the telephone lady and the workers. CIAO BELLLAAAA!! AHAHAJAJAHAJSKD. "Silenzio per favore...oy oy oy."
Missed the bus after school, so Libby and I decided to grab some pizza at the local hot spot. The pesto pizza was actually broccoli, which greased down my hand onto my coach wristlet :'( ..talk about smelling your food a while after:/ yuck....
Got off the tram, winked at the local Kosher butchers on my block, and continued down the road to Simply Market, buying fresh veggies and what not- adding up to €54.96...lets just say the roomies and I are eating away our love tomorrow for Vday.
Watching the sun rise, my eyelids were setting. It was almost 7:00AM and I had been up for 20hours already. [Following is what I wrote down while waiting for the train to take off],
'The more passengers that hoped on the train, the more they are lookin like creeps. A man just sat the aisle across from me and is making the most annoying sounds that consist of yawns and sighs; yeah dude- I am tired myself but keep it to yourself. His entire body is faced towards me like I am a tv or something, he won't stop looking at me... ...This is getting ridiculous. ...Libby is so focused on her 'Pet Salon' phone game that she isn't seeing this weirdo and my head about to blow off because of him.. ..I just did a stare down with this guy and used a bit*hy face so he would get the hint..he looked away...OH but only in the window so he can see our reflection..real clever sir, I know you're still looking.'
I tried to sleep but couldn't because it was cold and I was not comfortable in the seats. When I finally doze off, the train man tapped my feet and told me to take them off the other seat :(
3 hours later... (11AMish)
YAY! Florence... now what?! Bathroom in a smelly place off the street sounded legitimate. Waking aimlessy we bought a map (best idea ever).
knowing that we were going to be there for 11 hours, I needed to stay awake! We went to Gran Caffe' San Marco and bought a cute little blackberry/strawberry tart with a delicious cappuccino..standing because we didn't want to pay to sit down.
Off in the streets we went! BAM the markets with leather everywhere! "I did not bring enough money...," were one of my first thoughts. As we walked through the streets, we realized Florence is more spread out with less people...but don't worry- the sewer smell is always present somewhere in all Italian cities. "WHERE IS DAVID- MUST SEE HIM" ...but stopped in Le Focaccine that was a nefty little restaurant that had pizza over the counter and then in built-in bowls a ton of ingredients for hot sandwiches (?) Unsure- regret not ordering that. I was hungry and I dont know Italian= ordered a delicious slice of pizza.
€6,50 at Galleria dell'Accaemia plus €10 for audio (well worth it) (unable to take photos folks, sorry.) -Hall of Colossus was originally an art school where students would re-plaster sculptors. The first room consisted of religious paintings (many Madonna/Mary themed paintings) and in the center was Giambologna's original plaster copy of the Rape of the Sabines. In two of my courses (Art of Rome and Rome's Empire) I have learned about the beginning of Rome so that sculpture was really cool to see. It has no focus point and is intended for the viewer to walk around it. -Besides Michelangelo's David, there are 5 other sculptors by him, including the four unfinished prisoners and St. Matthew. -the prisoners didn't really have a meaning except for the reoccurring theme which is constant mediation on the question of salvation through faith and free will. There was David, standing 16 feet high of marble in front of me. 3 years of hard work and determination, Michelangelo was not the first to start on this sculpture, in fact, two artists tried but gave up, thinking it was impossible, and the other gave up because there were strikes in the marble. Michelangelo's David's left arm broke off at one point, but I was unable to see the crack line. This was truly amazing to see. -Other rooms were filled with oil based paintings referring to the Holy Trinity and other 13th Century religious works. -Room of heads and statues: There was a room filled with all the teachers of the Art school, along with replicated statues in which the students plastered. Naturally I bought a few overpriced gift cards to send home to my Grandpa and parents.
Libby walking up!
Walking through the streets, a lot of the stores have little narrow doors that you have to walk down five or six steep steps before you are in the shop. So cool. Because it was cold and windy we decided to pick up a Nutella cioccolato caldo with heavy whipped cream at Gelateria Le Parigine. Getting closer and closer to The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, orginally called The Duomo (which means cathedral in Italian). We made €8 to walk up the 463 steps to the top. Again, well worth it. On our way up, we were able to walk around the side of inside the dome (on the top-super high up). SO PRETTY. I would enjoy going to a Sunday mass here for sureeee.
Markets
No dissing Roma, but I think I enjoyed this market more. Rome has more to offer- but if you want a leather purse, wallet, jacket, boots, gloves, or cashmere scarves, hats, and Michelangelo's david ornaments ;)... go to Florence.
Libby bought a chestnut leather jacket and I got two leather gloves (gift for mama), and a leather teal purse.
Enjoyed the Local Legendary burger (ingreds from all over Italia)
The weather was getting windier, we were getting hungry. Settled for burgers and fries at the Hard Rock Cafe Firenze. We had a wonderful waitress and an enjoyable time people watching in this newly built, enormous high end Hard Rock. Way Home: Train was delayed..kind of scary. Eventful ride back because we sat next to two girls who are also studying abroad and some weird Italian guys. Arrived around 12:45AM, guessed to take the n18 bus which led us to a familiar place. We walked to our n8 bus and did not enjoy the stinky homeless woman who smoked on the bus (but enjoyed the tipsy Italians laughing about it).
