Admittedly, I didn't realize it was the Pantheon until much later. But it's one thing reading about it and another to see it!
This is called the Cat Cemetery.
It's basically cat haven and all the city cats live here. There's a
volunteer group to care for these cats and even get them adopted! My
school is connected to this group and I hope to volunteer my time with
them soon.
The Pantheon!
Of course.
Since we didn't 100% depend on map, we didn't really know where we were
going (as part of the adventure). As we were exiting a street, we could
hear the water rushing and it got louder and louder as we got closer. And lo and behold: the Trevi Fountain!
Bad selfie, but I didn't want any strangers taking my phone or camera as much as many had offered!
The Spanish Steps!
Brittany and I sidetracked and realized the reason why we went to the center was to get our textbooks! So we were hoping the bookstore wasn't closed (most stores close around 5pm). And luckily, it wasn't! We went in and the lady found our books surprisingly quick - we were both done within 10 minutes.
We wanted to eat but it was still relatively early (since most Italians eat around 7-9pm) so we went to the Via Del Corso, which is a major street for high-end shopping for stores like Dolce&Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, Bvgalria, H&M, Zara, etc. etc. Brittany and I windowed shopped and browsed. The H&M store was mind-boggling huge and so crowded. It was Saturday after all.
I passed by one of these. Apparently they used to be dead priests' coffins before they converted it to these larger water fountains. I'm not sure if that's 100% true, but I still drank out of it anyway.
We walked towards home, and found an osteria to eat at still nearby the Via del Corso.
The maitre'd gave us free drinks because we were from Boston.
Apparently he went to Boston and loved it.
Apparently he went to Boston and loved it.
Bruschetta al Pomodoro. The first bruscetta I tried was when Brittany gave me half of hers. Since then, my life was changed. I know I never really liked eating raw tomatoes but simply placing it on a hot olive oil-drizzled bread REALLY changes it. I'm probably ordering one of these before every meal. SO GOOD.
We trekked home by walking still. Even though we spent 4 hours walking around, it felt much longer than that. Here are my books:
Art history and management/financial accounting. Can't get any more opposite than that.
Sunday, Brittany and I made plans to visit the Porta Portese (Rome's biggest flea market) but I forgot to set my alarm and we both slept in really late. Oops! We ended up doing absolutely nothing that day.
Today (1/13) was the first day of classes. I only had one: financial accounting, over at the Guarini campus. I woke up 2 hours earlier than I had to so I could get mentally prepared and make sure I get there okay. I ended up taking a really weird way to get there, so next time I'm taking the longer more familiar way. My financial accounting class is in the auditorium (called Aula Magna) and since it's all tiled, voice gets bounced everywhere and on top of that, my professor has an Italian accent. I spoke with her beforehand and made sure that she was aware that I was deaf, all the usual hi-nice-to-meet-ya-i'm-deaf-by-the-way. It was alright. She taught pretty well, even using a whiteboard. Financial accounting is a whole different language compared to art, so it's going to be something to get used to.
Afterwards I wanted to make sure my accommodations are in order so I went all the way back to Tiber Campus to talk to student services (Valentina is my go-to person because she's super nice and speaks clearly) and she called Pamela who I was in contact with about my accommodations. She asked to meet me so I ended up walking aaall the way back to Guarini campus to her office. She was really excited to meet me and she shared the office with the Dean, who I briefly met when she was finished teaching the class before my class, and we all chatted for a while to get to know each other. They talked about an opportunity to teach English (or English sign language??? I forget now) and revved up an interest about Italian sign language. They were super nice. My accommodations won't be in order until like next week or so (about the usual even at home university). I'm set.
PS: somewhere between walking the two campuses, I looked down for ONE BRIEF SECOND to adjust my scarf and all the sudden I heard a squeal and an miffed shout - I looked up and saw a motorcyclist only an inch in front of me. Geez! I was even on the side of the road! But roads are small. And lesson learned, keep eyes on road at all times.
Now I'm back at my apartment attempting to do my first homework which is a bit of reading in the textbook and watching some TV on my laptop. Eventually I was bored/hungry and I went to the grocery store to get "junk" food - some kind of chocolate chip cookies and wafers.
I'm sorely missing familiar people who I can talk to without a problem and see them. (Peoplesick, not homesick! There's a difference! Really.) Like all my family and my best friend, Taylor. I got to skype with him last night for two hours and it was so good to see his face. I'm really excited for him to arrive in two weeks! ♡
It's after 3pm now, so buonasera. :)