3rd Times a Charm, Siena, and More

So, as I knew I would be when I decided to write a blog, I have been terrible at updating what has been going on in my life. Although, it is not totally my fault, you can blame my neighbors whose internet we use for free without their knowledge.Their internet is awful and only works about 3 days a week.

Emily and I went on yet another search to find her hummus. If anyone knows where in the surrounding areas to find her some hummus, she would be most appreciative. On our adventure we decided we might as well try to find the international food specialty store that is far outside of the city center. Neither one of us being in good shoes, we decided to go on ahead and walk around even though we had been warned that we would have to cross multiple lanes of heavy traffic. When in Italy, right? Well we played human frogger a little bit and found a little store and decided to ask for directions. Little did we know that we had stumbled upon a magical wine store. This precious little man who blew us kisses was selling delicious wine from steel vats and fills up water bottles for one euro per liter. After him giving us samples and buying a liter and then getting directions, we were on our way to find the actual international store, the gio. After about two miles, we finally found it and it was definitely worth the wait. We found plaintain chips (a personal favorite of mine) from Costa Rica, Guarana Soda (my sister's favorite) from Brazil, Salsa from Mexico, and chips resembling fritos from Sweeden. Still no hummus for Emily.

Last weekend on Friday I took another trip to Rome. We left at 6:30 am which was definitely one of the most painful mornings yet. After we arrived we went to the train station and had a little free time before we met up with one of the professors from my program. So instead of using this free time to grab breakfast (I had packed a snack), I instead decided to scope out the shopping in the Termini station. Having done some research before leaving I was very much aware that there was a Sephora in this train station and since I was out of facewash, I was bound and determined to find it. And I did.

The main point to our Rome trip though, was not for me to go to a make up store. We actually were going to visit a private art collection at palazza farnese. This exhibit is held in the French Embassy and has never been open to the public before, ever. And after the exhibit closes again in April, will probably never be open again. The place was beautiful, I wish I could have taken pictures, but I did buy a book with pictures and desciptions of the art. There were countless pieces of priceless art, sculptures, and frescos. And even though I am not a huge art person, it was definitely worth the trip. One of the professors from our school just kept coming around and whispering how we would never see this exhibit again and I think she might have cried a little bit because she had taught about all of the pieces of art in there, but had never been able to see them. A little less serious, we also took a trip to the "worlds most famous gelato shop." One of our schools directors told us it was where the Obamas ate when they came to Rome, which to be honest wasn't super impressive to me. But besides my skepticism, the place was amazing. If you ever have a chance in your life, please try champagne gelato, at least try it for me. It was even bubbly just like a glass of champagne. During a little free time we did some wandering and found some sights I had not really seen in Rome before which was nice and since it was my 3rd trip in my life time I really think I can get around Rome quite easily. I actually got Melissa and Emily to every major sight in about 1.5 hours. I could totally get paid to do that.

On Saturday I had a class trip to Siena. It was kind of a cold and muggy day, but Siena was super laid back so it was nice. We went and saw the Basilica of San Dominica which is the pretty little church there and also holds the relics of Saint Catherine. Relics are a big deal to Catholics in Europe and this particular church only has her head and one of her fingers among some of the things she used in her life. The rest of her body is in the church by the Pantheon in Rome. In my class that I went on this trip for, we had studied Siena some and about the Palio. If you have never learned about the Palio, I would seriously watch videos or google it because think of it like the Kentucky Derby on crack. The town of Siena which is only composed of about 50,000 people is divided up into 17 different neighborhoods all called contradas. These contradas are all represented by different animals and twice a year compete in a major horse race, Il Palio. Its insane. The jockeys ride bareback and use the whips to whip each other and the horse doesn't even have to have a jockey on to win the race. We got to have a private tour of a contrada's museum and church and see all of the banners they have won and see where they hold regular meetings.

Some other Tidbits:

• The Italian Mail system, yet another thing I do not understand. I received two packages this past week. One was sent a week before I recieved it. One was sent a month before I received it. I got the one that was sent a week ago first. Regardless, I have some more clothes from home! And upon opening the box my excitement was that they smelled like America...and Tide Total Care.
• Bar Music. Italians may have food, soccer, and beautiful sights, but be proud America - When Italians want to dance they listen to our music. If you walk into a pub on any given day (Italians are not picky people, we can hear them drinking literally in the streets every night) you will hear current US hits. And by current, I actually mean songs that were popular about a year ago, but probably just in remix. That, and the occasional Barbra Streisand song.

Believe it or not with all of these random things that I write about that I do, I actually do work here as well and had my first midterm today. A test? In Italy? Completely unfair.

Paris tomorrow, Can't Wait!

Caio!

Spoleto, Old Men, and Living On Steps.

So since I last wrote, I had one of the most relaxing and fun weekends since I have been here. On Thursday night after classes were over, we had a wine tasting that the school set up for whoever wanted to go. It was so much fun, we walked to a little restaurant/enoteca and listened to the lady who gave me my tour of Perugia when I arrived here a little lesson about wine. Some things I had heard before (its nice having a wino for a father, or 'boozing parents' as I prefer to call them), but it was interesting to hear some of the interesting Italian history that goes behind their wine. We had a red, a white, and a rose. The red was definitely the best of what they served us and the plate of food they gave us to try with the different wines definitely didn't suck. The cheese that had been aged in wine was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted and if someone can find it for me, I would owe them forever. The real surprise of this wine tasting though, was after we were done when the waiter who had served us said “are you surprised?” and brought us all mojitos. I have to say though, considering I have had one or two other mojitos since I have been here and the Italians have no concept of simple syrup, the mojito was very very good.

Friday morning both of my roommates headed off to a fieldtrip to Assisi (to which they got sent home from when one of my roommates ended up with the stomach flu), so I went on a day trip with some other friends. We went to Spoleto which is about an hour by train and was definitely the perfect low budget, low key day. The city, like most Italian cities starts flat and goes up. We wondered around this precious city and found the Roman ruins that they had (not super impressive) and kept wandering uphill. That seems to be my motto anywhere, if in doubt go up hill. This led us up to a walking track that went around the top of a mountain and towards the aqueduct. This view was probably one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. It was overwhelming just how untouched the mountainside was by man. The city was gorgeous and I am so glad I went, the weather was absolutely beautiful and I was able to rid myself of my jacket for part of the day. Also, had the best Gelato thus far in Spoleto: Tiramisu and Dark Chocolate.

On the way back Friday night, I had one of the most fun cultural experiences I have had thus far. We ran into a group of old men on our way back from the mini-metro who stopped us and just wanted to chat because we were Americans. These men were probably late 60’s/early 70’s and had so much to say. One of them told my friend Brittany “Thank you for getting rid of communism” and the man I spoke to just wanted to chat about various things. Like most Italians, he wanted to tell me where he had been in America (they LOVE to do this). He told me about the time he had been to the gulf of Mexico and went to Cape Kennedy and Disney World. Then he wanted to know where I was from and told me that he knew that there were lots of peanuts in the south and asked me if there were mostly African Americans. It’s interesting to see different people’s perspectives. He also told me that I spoke very clear English even though I should be speaking Italian and that my language was very clear, just like that of Obama. Among other things he said, there was something poetic about the way he talked to me about his city. He said that when it warmed up (it was 57 degrees today!) that I would get all red in the face because I would never want to get off the city steps in the sunshine. We parted ways, but I absolutely loved speaking with those men, it was fascinating to understand what people say and think of Americans.

Speaking of the steps in the sunshine, after going to the big market Saturday morning, sitting on the steps is exactly what I did. The market was amazing, kind of a more laid back version of what Barcelona had, but I liked it and the scarf that I got. The steps on the 4^th ugliest cathedral in Italy are the place to be all the time. Now the Italians can handle it when its cold, but now that it’s warmed up its about where I can handle it and for about 3 hours at least I just sat and chatted with friends and journaled in sun. Its crazy how everyone goes to the steps. It is the most perfect place. You can see the main piazza, talk with friends, people watch, do homework, and just love life. It makes me feel like a real Italian just to sit there and enjoy the good life. I could live on these steps and when it is socially acceptable, I will nap on them.

Saturday night, I ventured with some friends to get myself and early birthday present from me. I mean, it makes for a pretty cool story that I got my nose pierced in Italy. After that little adventure, I went with some friends to find what is supposed to be one of the best pizza places in Perugia, Pizza e Musica. The place was super delicious and had good jazz music playing in the background, definitely a favorite of locals. I got a pizza biana con maiz that was delicious! Not to mention, pizza in this country is cheap and a large serving.

Well plans coming up include Paris on my birthday and Spring Break. I also got to skype with my nephew today who will be two years old in 5 days. He is so sweet and I cannot believe how much he has grown in one month. Also, if anyone is interested in hiring a professional travel agent, I believe I am officially qualified because I have spent countless hours navigating travel websites and believe I could probably get you anywhere for a good price!

Al Mangiar Bene and Pictures From Last Weekend

Me and Sakeenah in front of the building for Vittor Emmanuale II, favorite building in Rome

Just sitting in the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain.

The Girls in Rome.

View of Gubbio From Halfway Up The Mountain

The Snowy Appenines I Saw While Hiking

(Sorry, I can't flip pictures on here)

Me climbing "Mt.Gubbio"

The Cages we Rode on to Get Halfway Up

So on Monday evening, I went with about 8 people from my food and culture class to a little restaurant called Al Mangiar' Bene that is a little ways down the main street. While the restraunt, like most places, requires a small hike down an alley it is definitely worth the trip. If any one knows how I am when it comes to food I generally have two extremes: I try to eathealthy as much as possibly and I have certian foods that are terrible for me that are weaknesses. This place was a dream place for me because it has an ideal that you cannot find at most places to eat in the US. They have a "rule" that everything they serve in the entire resteraunt does not come from more than 30 kilometers away. So everything is super fresh and organic basically. I had a wonderful meal of fusili pasta with a truffle sauce over the top. It was absolutely wonderful. I do with that I could've gotten some protein though, but all the meat they had there was meat that I don't eat. Sorry to be picky in Italy, but I stopped eating beef when I was 11, I am not starting again now.

It is February already and I am shocked about how fast time has gone by already. I have been here for almost a month and am still trying to figure out how I got here still... But plans are being made and I have already booked a weekend to go visit my friend Patrick who is studying in Seville.

So as part of my random thoughts of the day I am composing some lists that are sure to continue to grow as my time here goes on:

Things I Just Don't Understand About Italy:

1. No Dryers. Once again, I'm all about good for the environment, but I really like the feeling of soft clothes out of the dryer. I took a cami off of the drying rack and the cami retained the shape it had dried in. Not a pleasant idea always, but its something that you can adjust to.

2. One of the popular songs here currently is a song called "Barbra Streisand" by Duck Sauce. Seriously, watch it on youtube. It is a solid 5 minutes of "ooh ooh oooh" followed by man in a deep voice saying "Barbra Streisand." If someone figures out the appeal behing this, please let me know.

3. Graph paper. Italians love graph paper. I think the only reason the store even carries normally lined notebooks is because of the American students here. I acutally got a graphing notebook in an attempt to be Italian-like and it sucks. There is too much going on on graph paper.

4. The way doors open. You don't think about this alot in America, but mostly I would say, that when you enter a building in America that you pull a door open. Here, about 80% of public buildings the door pushes open which is something you don't think about until you look like an idiot in front of a group of Italians trying to pull a door that you should be pushing.

Needless to say, I still love this place and the new things I encounter everyday. I think I officially have forgotten how to drive and the idea of my meal plan in the fall is a scary thought. Can PC just write me a check every semester? I will say today though, we broke down and went and got "American" food. My roommates got cheeseburgers, Melissa got a hotdog, and I got the Italian version of a Mozzerella stick. While I don't really like fried food a lot at home, we somehow stumbled upon this sports bar the other day and went back for a visit tonight. It was a nice taste of home to go somewhere and see American type things on the menu and see a big screen with some sort of sports game going on. It felt a little like home. No worries, though, you will not catch this American at a McDonalds like many of the students in my program have broken down and done. I don't eat that crap in America and sure won't pay to eat it overseas.

P.S. I'm planning a trip for Spring Break to Dublin and London. Any comments or suggestions are definitely welcome as I am planning this trip! mollyekent@yahoo.com