Ventuno

It's difficult to know where to begin because so much has been happening.  We had a week of orientation where we were expected to show up for different, usually boring, events in order to prepare us for our stay and classes in Rome.  We also bought groceries and began cooking in the residence which has been an experience because the stoves are gas and we have to light them ourselves with a match, which can get a little scary at times.  But as a reward for the tedious week of orientation, the school took us on a trip to a nearby hill town called Todi.  It is a very small and quaint village.  We were all allowed to roam around in the town on our own for 2 hours and then we were supposed to meet back at the bus.  Jason and I tried to avoid all the other crazy Americans by avoiding all the main attractions, such as the churches and cathedrals.  Todi has many narrow and winding streets that sometimes lead no where and other times take you across the town.  So we mainly stuck to these streets and discovered the hidden Todi that you really can't find from the churches.  Check out the pictures.  We didn't avoid all the churches though.  We went to two churches in the town of Todi, one had a belltower which we climbed up and saw a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding lands.  It was really windy and cold but the view was well worth the climb.  And we also visited a church outside the city that was supposedly designed by Bramante.  It had a great dome and the inside had statues of seated Saints.  We didn't get much time to explore and we soon headed back to the buses.  

We took a very windy road up to a hamlet town called Titigniano (I think that's how its spelled).  Not really a town, more of a farm house/villa.  But this is where we had our 4 hour, 12 course Italian meal.  All in all it was fantastic.  We sat at long tables, family style.  We had countless dishes including risotto with asparagus, pasta with wild boar sauce, chicken, lamb, salad, tiramisu, espresso, and biscotti dipped in dessert wine.  It was a very good meal and the best part was it was free!  It was also great because we got to meet new people since everyone was sitting family style.  Jason also got a personal birthday toast, because it just happened to be his 21!  You would think that we would all feel fat and gluttonous after the meal, but we were given such small portions and it was spread over such a long period of time that some people actually still felt hungry (mostly the guys).  But it was a great meal.  Afterwards we headed back to Rome, which was about a 2 1/2 hour drive.  

We got back and everyone went out the American bars because they wanted to watch the Steelers or the Eagles football games.  Instead of doing that, Jason, Grace (another UPSer), Thomas (a guy we met at the meal), and I (Miya) went out to an Italian bar recommended by the director of Student Affairs called Fluid.  It was SOOO COOL!  Check out the pictures.  But they had ice cubes to sit on, wonderful drinks that were just as expensive (7euro) as everywhere else here, and a great atmosphere.  We had trouble finding a table at first, but eventually we all got to sit down.  They had an extensive mixed drink menu, which was perfect for Jason and I.  And I think the best part were the tables.  The surface of the table was a mixture of colored oil and water, and so you could push around the oil on the table and make cool shapes.  I know it probably sounds dumb but it was awesome and highly entertaining.  The floor was like it as well so when people walked the oil would kind of form the shape of their footprint.  Jason and Thomas liked the bathroom the best because I guess it looked like you were peeing on stones... hard to describe.  But the sink had water that fell from the ceiling in a constant stream.  If you're ever in Rome, check it out.  It was a lot of fun to hang out with everyone in such a chill atmosphere.  Afterwards we headed back to the residence.

Sadly, the next day was Monday and also the first day of classes.  I think all of the classes are going to be really fun actually, and some have trips to different sites which will be even better.  The Italian classes are a little frustrating for us because we already started learning Italian before we left for Rome and so they are going over stuff we already know, and not moving at a fast enough pace for us.  But I'm sure they will pick up soon.  And I guess that brings us up to tonight, we watched part of the inauguration Italian.  And then on CNN in just English with very poor reception.  But it was amazing how important this is not only to us but also to the Italians.  Walking back to the residence we saw people in their shops sitting and watching it.  Obama isn't just a hope for us, but for them as well, and I don't think we realize this in America.  at least he wont tax the shit out of the italians! on the TV in the residence.  It was playing on 3 different Italian stations, being translated into Italian.  And it was playing just in English on CNN.  It was really interesting to see how much this not only means to us but also to people here.  Walking back to the residence we saw people in their shops gathered around the TV watching Obama's speech.  He not only represents hope for us but also for people around the world, and I don't think we realize this in America.