More about Rome

Today, we visited some sites that our projects are located. After we got done with class and visiting the sites, we trekked across Rome to see Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, both of which were beautiful.

I loved the fountain but it was so so crowded. We all tossed in coins and made wishes and took cheesy pics :)

We then went to the Spanish Steps and went inside the Trinita dei Monti, where we had the rare opportunity to witness the members of the church (not sure the correct terminology - but the nuns and monks) participating in mass. They sang at 6 pm and it was absolutely beautiful. One of those moments where you truly feel closer to God. I was quite moved by the event and even got some film footage!

We then proceeded down the steps and to my pleasure and surprise we found about every designer you could ever dream of within a few blocks. To name a few - MaxMara, Bulgari, Cartier, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Missoni, Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Dior, La Perla, Furla, etc etc etc. It was heaven. Absolutely, unaffordable heaven.

We headed back up the steps (which was a very panting trip) and went to hard rock cafe - only to find out it was closed for a private party. Back up plan? Burger King. Can't go wrong! It's amazing how much I miss and want American food since it seems so hard to come by.

Last night we went to an irish pub to celebrate st. patty's day and actually met an irish man! It was cool, but a beer was 5 euro, when at the supermercato (supermarket) around the corner it was 1.20 euro. So we left at 9 and turned in early.

I'm in Rome, I wanna post blogs, and I have no internet :(

This place is crazy. Total 100% culture shock. My first blog is going to be a list of everything here that is different:
1. The gelato is so so so much better than ice cream in the states
2. The cappuccino is also way way better, and way way cheaper
3. Every single restaurant has the same basic menu , but they still have ethnic food places too, like chinese, thai, sushi, american (mcdonalds, burger king!), turkish, etc.
4. The grocery stores charge for bags!
5. Scooters and tiny tiny cars are the primary source of transporation. If the scooter/bike fits, it goes. Even if it's not a road.
6. People park absolutely anywhere and everywhere. There's no "parking lots/spots"
7. There are millions and millions of gypsies selling everything from roses, to keychains, to camera tripods, to umbrellas. The umbrella gypsies appear from nowhere whenever it starts to rain. It's creepy.
8. Trash is taken out and set on the streets, not in cans, just sitting there, but it's law to recycle, so it's way more sustainable.
9. Cars drive likes bats outta hell and they honk at everything. They will HIT you if you are in the way.
10. They also don't think of cars as valuable possessions to upkeep, so they are all covered in scratches and dings and missing mirrors and whatnot. It's kinda nice cuz they're aren't "souped up" gas guzzlers everywhere
11. The old people are tiny, like little bitty midgets.
12. Italian men are NOT sexy and have greasy hair quite often. Despite popular belief, they have absolutely no interest in american women. At least not in me.
13. There are no open container laws and people gather in piazzas and drink and socialize. It is a lot of fun.
14. I feel safer here than anywhere I've ever been in my life.
15. It's neat walking around and getting lost because we have discovered so many cool stores and markets and churches.
16. EVERY SINGLE church, and trust me, there's lots, is absolutely beautiful. I envy the people that get to worship there on a weekly basis.
17. People stare. They know I'm American because of my blonde-ness. Most places, they immediately address me in English, whether or not I've asked if they speak English.
18. Everyone wears purple, tons and tons of it. TONS. I saw a woman today dressed in a million shades of purple from head to toe. The day before I saw a woman with purple frame glasses with purple lenses!
19. Wine is so so so much cheaper. I've found wine that is 1 EURO and 20 cents. Amazing.
20. The salami rocks my world.
21. I love the colors of the city. There's so many different colored buildings. It's so neat.
22. People eat so much food here! But I have seen very very very few overweight people. It must be from all the walking.
23. Apartments don't have dryers or dishwashers typically. Very very very annoying.
24. Streets are the width of our sidewalks, basically
25. Personal space goes from 6' to 2'. I mean, the buses are so crowded that you are in someone's stinky armpit all the time. And they are stinky stinky.

I'll talk more later. I'm shleeeepy.