The past couple days have been chilly. I decided to wear sweat pants, a sweat shirt, and my ugg slippers to get breakfast.. that was a bad idea. It was very hot today.

While I was out in my winter clothes I got a breakfast and a cappuccino with two of my roommates. I thought I was getting a pastry that was like a tart, but the white was total icing instead. So my breakfast resulted in a sugar and caffeine high.

After getting breakfast we went to the market. This market is awesome and only two blocks from our apartment. There is fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish!

I was videoing this man chopping fish at the market when he looked at me and started to yell at me to come there. I at first thought he was angry.. because when an Italian yells at you it does not exactly come across as friendly, BUT he was very very nice. He picked up this huge fish head and his knife and insisted we take a picture. I was very nervous at first to get so close to a man with a knife that was larger than my head, but did not really have time to rationalize it.. (sorry mom and dad I’m alive!) After the exciting picture I walked back to my apartment to change into summer clothes.

Later we tried to call a taxi to take us to the coast of Rome. We called multiple times and kept getting hung up on, so we turned to Uber. Uber was much easier to communicate with. We went outside to get in our Uber when it got here and realized there were multiple other taxies waiting to pick us up. So I guess the taxi company hanging up on you means they are sending you one? I am still confused on that, but there was just a large miscommunication between us and the MULTIPLE taxies that came to pick us up.. oops! We finally made it to he beach, and oh my goodness it was beautiful!

After laying on the beach for a while we wanted to get a drink, so we walked in a restaurant behind us and asked for one.. somehow there was another miscommunication and we got beach chairs instead. So basically my roommates and I are horrible at communicating with these Italians. The chairs were very nice though.

And that was my day! When in Rome, right?

 

 

 

 

Today we woke up and walked to the University of Arkansas Rome Center. This is where we have our Art History and Studio Art classes. It is located in Campo De’ Fiori in one of the oldest palaces, Palazzo Taverna.

Palazzo Taverna is located in a complex that was built in the middle ages by a noble family. It was owned by the Orsini Family until the late Renaissance. Then it was bought by other members of the Roman aristocracy. The inside still has the original decoration from the 16th and 18th centuries. There are three “Princesses” that live on the top floor still and own the complex. So that is pretty cool. I wish I had the official title of princess.

After getting oriented with the school we went out for art supplies. The art store was insane. They had so many pigments for oil paint it was awesome. I could have easily spend my entire Rome budget in that one store, but I used self control and held back.

After that we ate lunch in front of the Pantheon and then went exploring. Everywhere you look there is a historical building that is massive and ancient.

It is almost 7:00pm here (12:00pm in Alabama) and I have walked 17,308 steps, 7.55 miles. So I can easily say I have burned off my pasta plus much more. I wish there was a Krispy Kreme over here. I could have eaten a lot of doughnuts and burn them off for all those steps. I’ll just have to eat gelato in the meantime.

 

 

 

I slept a good three to four hours last night on the flight to Rome from Atlanta. My friend Lane thankfully sat next to me on the flight, so we were able to spread out in our small space to attempt to sleep. We arrived in Rome around 9:30 in the morning Rome time.

So finally we were able to get to our apartment. There are five girls in my apartment. It is a large apartment though. There are three rooms and a kitchen, two baths, and a living area. This is an image of my room! 

After getting settled in our apartment we decided to go to the grocery store. In Rome you either take your own bags, or you get charged for each plastic bag you use of theirs. Thankfully I was over prepared and brought my own grocery bags! 🙂

After grocery shopping we went exploring. I got a shot of expresso that was stronger than I ever imagined! I do not know how these Italians drink so much of it all day long.

We then quickly went to meet up with the rest of our group for dinner. We feasted at dinner too. There was so much food and wine I was in awe. I tried all new things! So Mom and Drew would be very proud of my adventurous food tasting!

And now I am curled up in bed ready for some much needed rest.

I woke up this morning ready for Rome! Giving my sweet Tibbie and Belle a hug before I left. I went to eat breakfast at the great American Krispy Kreme. I told my Mom bye from there, and then I went back home with my Dad. He is who took me to the airport! Saying “see you soon” because I do not say “goodbye” was much easier than predicted. There were very few tears! I was very proud of myself lol. So off I went on my flight to Atlanta.

I have arrived in the Atlanta airport waiting for my next flight to leave for Rome as I type this! My flight from Mobile was such a breeze. The man that sat next to me studied abroad when he was younger also. I got to learn all about his travels and the great memories he made. This got me more excited about my own trip.

The first thing I saw after getting off my flight from Mobile was a Popeyes Chicken. So of course I took advantage of that. After getting my food and stuffing it in my purse to eat later, I began my journey to the international terminal. I got a little turned around and ended up riding the tram twice, but that’s no big deal I just got to meet a couple more people!

My flight leaves in about two and a half hours, and I could not be more excited!

 

I will be going on the Art in Rome study abroad program starting May 19 through June 23. Here is where I will record my daily adventures.