Rome is amazing :)

I love Roma! We have officially been here a week-and it has been a week of life-changing experiences. I feel as though I have been constantly wandering around ancient history, beginning with the taxi ride from the airport which took me through a highway surrounded by exotic trees and columns. As soon as the taxi dropped me off at the Rome Center I was immediately overwhelmed by the centuries old buildings surrounded by modern fashionable people walking around without a glance.

After finally dropping off all my luggage at my apartment (which is beautiful and spacious and equipped with an adorable kitchen, albeit having an impossible-to-open lock), I changed into shorts and commenced exploring the area around our UW center. My first Italian meal was cheap 3 euro pizza from a little side shop, I got a delicious eggplant and artichoke slice, much better than the plane food I had been eating. The Campo de Fiori has an amazing daily market, selling tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil, wine, clothes, jewelry, meat, cheese, pasta...plus Lisa showed us many great little shops surrounding the market that sell anything from fresh cheese to awesome baked bread to prosciutto. I was pooped out from all the traveling, though, so I went back home soonish and went to sleep.

Finally after a few days I got my bearings on how to navigate the streets, the winding cobblestones are so confusing! Especially for spacially-challenged me. Finally, I have gotten a bit of an idea about how our neighborhoods relate, although I still get lost all the time.

Every day I have absolutely loved being able to buy fresh produce, it is the best thing in the world to have fresh delicious and healthy food on hand. I wish UW had a market in Red Square! I would definitely be a diligent customer. We have had many delicious meals out, from our fancy welcome dinner (4 courses! Plus wine.) to quick cheap lunches of sandwiches from Forno the bakery. Our group of girls at our apartment really enjoys cooking group dinners. We have made fresh chicken with sauteed vegetables, complete with pesto and awesome-shaped pasta. I love food!

I have barely touched upon how many amazing things I have experienced in this short time! Although before I close this post, I must say that the social aspect has been great, I love hanging out and becoming close to so many people who I would never have met otherwise :)
I must note: Shurui is awesome. I am nice to him and he likes me.

Ciao!

PS Punto is the place to buy cookies.
PPS Gilato is the shit.