There is also an incredible view of the city and the vatican. Some nearby italians warned Molly and I not to tell our mothers that we stepped up on the ledge to take this picture!
Today my friends and I visited Aventine Hill in Rome. It quickly became my favorite place yet! At the top of the hill there is a beautiful and quiet orange grove in Il Giardino Degli Aranci. It is a perfect spot for studying or having a picnic when the weather gets warmer and there are almost no tourists!
This morning my drawing class met at the Vatican for our first day of sketching! We sat in St. Peter’s Square for three hours and enjoyed the beautiful weather while we worked. It was a great way to start the day!
During the rest of the weekend we found a new favorite irish pub, Abbey Theatre, and I ate the best Lasagna ever made at Tony’s in Trastevere!! I had to take a bite before taking this picture because it looked so good!
On Friday afternoon we climbed the Spanish Steps and walked up to the gardens at Villa Borghese. We made it just in time to watch the sun set over the city and catch some live music in Piazza di Popolo.
On Wednesday night, Molly, Shawn and I walked down the famous Via del Corso (with lights strung across the city) and had some gelato at La Fontana di Trevi. It was beautiful to see the fountain lit up at night and to avoid the large daytime crowds.
Finally, I thought you might want to see our italian apartment. Here are some photos of the main rooms and the view from our bedroom. The painting you see is the fresco on our ceiling!
Despite the fact that classes have started we still find time to stop for un cappuccino (1 euro) every morning at the cafe next store and we continue to return to Giolitti (three blocks from our apartment) for the best gelato in rome. I am holding a small, nocciola and oreo with homemade whipped cream on top!! I can’t wait for my family to come and try it!
Besides all of the new things I have been experiencing, I have been happy to see my friends from DC that are also studying in Rome. Here is a picture from our first night out together in Europe! (My old roommates, Margot and Alex, in the center and Molly on the right)
After only a week, we have also noticed some peculiar things.. We are not sure how Romans ever know which car is theirs.. and we are worried about their continued obsession with “oops i did it again”, by none other than Bspears.
One of my favorite parts about being in rome is running into amazing sights right in the middle of the city as we walk to class during the day or home to our apartment at night…
Finally, after a very long morning, Maura, Molly and I decided to stop for our first cups of gelato. We sat along the wall of the pantheon and tasted mint, pistachio and banana!
We also rode on a tour bus and saw some beautiful views. Then we discovered the wealthy shopping district, complete with this Mercedes themed christmas tree. (Mom- Keep this in mind for next year)
After a fun night out we slept for four hours and then woke up for orientation at 7am. After a freezing cold shower and an hour walk around the city we weren’t feeling too hot but it was great to see the main sights in Rome. This is a picture of myself, Molly and our two roommates (Maura and Emily) at the Roman Forum!
