Lago Di Montignano

So I'm posting this a day late. I certainly hope that is not a habit I get into!! But yesterday, we took a little trip with our study abroad program and all the students to Lago di Montignano, which is the base of some inactive volcano. My roommates and I are making strides in our punctuality slowly, but surely.  We only arrived 5 minutes late yesterday! woooooo! And we made it on the first bus that left for the lake!

The lake was kind of annoying because we were stuck there for 7 hours +. It really felt like college orientation all over again with the splitting up into groups, telling everyone our goals and initial reactions, and even playing those annoying ice breaker games that I hate. But aside from that, we had a bunch of free time where I was able to just relax and get a little bronzed. I went paddle boating and swimming! The bottom of the lake was nasty, but it was so hot that I sacrificed stepping in mush.

We came back and I was absolutely starving, so I whipped up some pasta with tomatoes (not blog worthy). Then I realized, Alessia, my Italian roommate was making us dinner. soooo I had to eat AGAIN. She made ravioli that was literally sitting in two melted sticks of butter, lamb, and a salad. Her German boyfriend came over for dinner, too. It was really fun, but I feel super large this morning. Time to plan out my day!

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.

HELLO ROME!

Just spent my first full day in Rome and I still have yet to eat a cup of gelato. It was a really tiring day because we had a bunch of orientation meetings to go to. I kept nodding off during them because of this issue I'm having with jet lag! We had a little break and a couple of us IES students went to walk around where the center was. I felt so independent and ready to take on this new city! I was alert and aware of my surrounding and made sure I was not attacked my gypsies and pickpockets. I made it all the way to the Campo di Fiori- prime tourist destination. I had a vague recollection of it from when I was here in 8th grade.

The IES school is right across from the Castel Sant'Angelo. You really can't beat looking out the window at this when you're bored in class:

The school provided us with a nice lunch on the terrace that we share with the monastery that is next door. The lunch was buffet style consisting of traditional Roman dishes. It was good, but I wasn't that hungry because I was so tired. Then we had even more meetings about being safe and so on.

Then we walked home, which is just about 2 miles. (not too bad, unless it's raining) I still have to figure out how to ride the bus system. Everyday on the way home, we pass by this pretty square, called the Piazza di Santa Maria:

Not too bad, eh? I ventured out to the grocery store to buy some breakfast items and then headed back for leftovers of last night's dinner.

Well folks, I think it's finally time to go out and get some gelato. I'm not that hungry BUT I NEED IT.