Buongiorno!

Today is truly the first day that I have felt completely normal and not tired! That is probably because of the fact that we did so much on Tuesday and Wednesday that I was really exhausted!! Anyway, here's what I have been up to the last few days!!

Tuesday--I had my first classes (8:45-12) and then that afternoon we went on an Orientation Tour of Rome. We went to the catacombes of Sebastian and the Basilica of St Peter and we were supposed to go the the Forum but there was a strike so we weren't able to make it!! We also drove past the Colleseum and I took a couple of pictures out of the bus of that. Definitely will have to go back there!! My camera died on Tuesday so I didn't get many pics the first few days but I will steal some from my roomie and once I get them I will post them on here!!

Then we had a group dinner at an restaurant in the neighborhood (the whole group). Meals are very long here and everything is served with wine. You have appetizers, salad, pasta, dessert, and wine. Then we walked home and stopped at a little bar on the way home for a beer.

Wednesday--We got up REALLY early in order to get spots at the Vatican to see the Pope. If you go very late, you won't even get in there. He began to speak around 10:30 am. We took the train down to Vatican City and got in line and got the best spots in the place!! We got up in the seated area and sat in the very last rows so that when he drove around the place in his little cart, we were RIGHT there. Like practically could have reached out and touched the cart!! Being that I didn't have a working battery to my camera, I didn't get any pictures but the guy next to me got some amazing pics of the Pope! He does an address to the crowd in Italian and then different priests address the crowd in their own language and then the Pope does a shorter version of his address in each language. Then there is a prayer and Our Father is sung in Italian (words on back of ticket) and then he blesses the crowd and any religious items you bring! I had my silver cross that I got for Christmas a few years ago so now I can say that it has been blessed by the Pope!

A couple of friends and I then walked around Rome and ate lunch at a little ristorante where we had panninis (again) and gelato. We then caught the bus back to the school, did a little reading and had class at 3:45-7 pm. We then had a big barbeque outside and came in to finish some homework for class this morning.

Last night we booked tickets to go to Venice this weekend and we fly in there Saturday afternoon and stay until Sunday evening!!

Today I had class from 8:45-12 and then I did some solo sightseeing/walking around the neighborhood. We live in Monte Mario, a neighborhood in the Northwest area of Rome. It is a middle class neighborhood so there aren't many stores. You defnitely can't find things as convenient as in America!! The other interesting thing is that EVERYTHING shuts down after lunch for siesta. Like every store completely shuts down!! That would NEVER happen in America. People are always busy and always in a hurry. Today when I was walking around I stopped in a caffe to get a sandwhich, and the guy was soooo appalled that I was taking it to go. He knew I was American right away because I didn't sit down and eat!! Italians eat for hours and very slowly!!

Well I better jet--I am going to do some reading over the weekend since I won't get home until practically midnight from Venice!!

Ciao!