Day 2

I couldn't fall asleep last night so I didn't end up getting to bed until 1:30 and I had to be up at 8:30, which was so annoying! This jet lag is doing weird things to my sleeping habits! Hopefully, I'll be cured by tomorrow.

My roommate's alarm didn't go off, so they were super late waking up. We left at 9:25 and had to be there at 9:30...keep in mind it is about a 30 minute walk.....I was so mad! But I didn't want to go alone because I wasn't exactly sure how to get there since our italian companion didn't walk us there today. I was walking so fast that I tripped over a huge root in the middle of the sidewalk! I was not a happy camper, especially when we walked in 20 minutes late to a lecture being given my some inspirational speaker. Just talking about it makes me mad!

After a day full of meetings, we walked back over the to our side of the river and napped. (seriously, this jet lag thing is out of control). I woke up and my roommates were still sleeping, so I decided to go on a little adventure of my own. My italian roommate told me about a safe park, Villa Sciarra, where I can run and has great views of Rome.  It is one on of the seven hills of Rome so you can see so much of the city skyline. It was owned by a family that then donated to it to Rome. It had gravel paths and alongside the paths are either statues or fountains. It was gorgeous and I definitely plan on going back!

Statues from Villa Sciarra

View from Villa Sciarra

After my run, I came back to a ton of maintenence work being done in my apartment. Our sink is broken, along with out dishwasher, air conditioner, and washing machine. Eeek! But don't worry, it's being taken care of.

My roommates finally woke up and we walked alllll the way from our apartment to the Spanish Steps. We had to go over there to buy books for our week of intensive Italian. So we figured we would just walk over there and get it over with.

We went from point A to B, which was only 2.29 miles, but seemed soooo much longer. On our way there, we stumbled upon the Pantheon unintentionally. Pretty cool, huh!? I even ran into one of my friends from high school in the Pantheon Piazza. It was a small world moment. We got to climb the Spanish Steps, too, which was fun. I remembered it a little from eighth grade.

I was super tired on the way back and just wanted to EAT. But Romans don't eat until 8 or 8:30, which has been killing me! We stopped at a little restaurant and I got spaghetti primavera. I love the pasta here! They cook it super al dente, which is just the way I like it!

Now I'm back and my feet are burning and my legs are noodles. I'm so tired! All the walking is pretty crazy, but I'm really enjoying getting to see so many different different things every time I walk somewhere.