Day Three

Day 3 August 17, 2010


I woke up to loud Italians and street sweeper cars at 0730 this morning but had a late start heading out, 1030. I decided to go straight to Termini (I think I explained yesterday that this is the main station in center Rome). While I was waiting at the bus stop down the street, a slightly tragic but interesting scene occurred. A young tourist couple was going up the steps of the church by the bus stop when their baby carriage tipped over and their baby rolled right out and down the steps!! I started rushing over to help but it seemed that every Roman within a half mile radius (only a slight exaggeration) was there in seconds to help and then give advice. I couldn’t help but compare the reaction to what would happen back home. Most people would just gape at the sight and walk away. It was refreshing to see that everyone who witnessed the “accident” was willing to extend a hand and be involved. Oh, the baby was very shaken up, a little scraped and bruised, but overall ok.

Twenty minutes later I was wandering about the Termini, which is both train/bus station and three-story shopping mall. I didn’t do any shopping today, I have to keep reminding myself that I am on a very very tight budget, and just looked around. Here I ran into Tamara, one of my classmates, who wanted to go shopping for shoes. We wandered around the streets a little bit looking for shops but it was so hot that we quickly abandoned the idea and ended up going to the school.

Once at the school we grabbed sandwiches (I chose provolone and salami. I can’t even explain how great these taste?! ) and water and headed for the terrace. The sun hadn’t touched the small garden yet and the morning cool still clung to the building around us. We sat and chatted for some time while I went online to submit yesterday’s post when Christine joined us. She is a Level 4 student form Switzerland. Oh, I am a Level 1 student. Tamara is from the UK. It is so interesting to meet all these people from all over, hear their backgrounds, learn about their families, find out what has drawn them to Rome and the Italian language. It’s funny to me that one of the main points of topic is age comparison. Most are in their early 20s. They are all shocked when I tell them that I am 32. I am not sure what to make of it when they tell me I can pass for 23. I can settle for 26 or 27…but I’ll stick to my actual age…unless a super cute guy comes along. Haha.

So then we had class. Once again very entertaining it was over so quickly. We learned our numbers up to cento (100). We learned how to puzzle together a conversation by writing down the words we could pick out of a recording. We learned different body parts. We learned the days of the week and the names of the months. Throughout it all we played different games to help remember the information. I started cracking up when the instructor started explaining the game “who said five?” Ah, too funny!!

After class I convinced two of my classmates, Tamara and Becca (also from the UK) to join me as Olga took us on a mini-tour around Rome. We saw so many things in those 3 hours! First we took the Metro (underground train) to the Coliseum. Wow. I know I’ve seen it before but still, Wow. We decided not to go in today as we all wanted to have more time to go through it. We then meandered along Via de Fori Imperiali, traveling back in time as we looked down up the ruins of Caesars Imperial Forum. Then we stood in awe in front of Il Monument di Vittorio Emanuel. I don’t know the story yet. I have a feeling I should know this as there is not only a main street with the name but an amazing monument. I’m putting this on my homework list.

After this we strolled through Piazza Venzia and learned that Olga’s next point of interest was her favorite gelateria (ice cream shop). It was an interesting walk as we wandering through side streets, did some window shopping, and tried to remember some of the out-of-the-way restaurants that looked inviting. We were beginning to think that Olga had no idea where she was going and was just picking directions to go. Then all of a sudden we were in front of the Pantheon. We went inside and spent some time looking around. I would like to go back during “business hours” to listen to an audio guide and learn about the different enclaves. We all meet up and head out into the plaza and across the way is Della Palma, the largest gelateria in Rome. I did indulge and got a cone of gelato, picking Kit Kat and enjoying every bite of it. It was delicious and we were all in agreement that it was worth the trek.

So then, tired from all of the walking and with bellies happy with ice cream we all decided it was time to start heading to our respective “homes”. We missed a turn on the way and ended up at the steps of Bascillica San Agostino. We heard beautiful music coming from the church (it was the end of evening mass) and we decided to go in. This was dicey as Tamara was wearing a spaghetti strap tank top and Olga was wearing a see through midriff top! Olga knew better and stayed close to the entrance, not wanting to offend anyone. Unfortunately Tamara was not as inconspicuous and was asked to leave by a patron. She tried to say she would just cover her shoulders with her hair but he wouldn’t accept that option. She still didn’t want to leave, but we all went out before there was a scene. I feel bad cuz I kinda lectured about the importance of respecting other people’s cultures even if you don’t understand or agree with them. What surprised me was when she said, “I don’t get it. I mean their Jesus was pretty much naked in his loin cloth thingy.” I couldn’t hold back and responded with, “Um you mean when they stripped him of his clothes and killed him?” Ah the touchy subject of religion in addition to culture….We both dropped it after that.

With that we all knew it was definitely time to end our “tour”. We walked through Piazza Navona, passing by artists and street entertainers on the way. We found a bus stop to take Tamara and Becca back to Termini. Olga and I decide to go the rest of the way by foot as we were only a 15 minute walk away.

So here I am now, trying to get through my journal before taking a shower and going to bed. I am kinda hungry but it is already 2130 (9:30pm). I think the ice cream is just going to have to hold me through the night. Oh yeah, I also have to upload those pictures finally. Maybe I will do that tomorrow morning. I would like to check out a museum but that wouldn’t be until 0930-1000 so I’ll have time…tempting.

What do I think of Rome so far? I keep finding myself turning a corner and catching my breath. Something about the history in the architecture and the poetry of the sculptures, the art of the city and the music of the language, just makes me stop and…..just stop. I try to take some photos but I’m not experienced enough to capture the atmosphere. All that comes out is a picture of a building. And I know I’m not doing it justice in my words either. I am trying to soak in the essence as much as possible and savor it. I wish I could share this in more depth, maybe as time goes on I will get better. It is, after all, only Day Three out of Forty-Seven!!

Sono stanco. Buonanotte! (I am sleepy. Good night!)