I'm in Rome...finally!

Sono stanca! (I'm tired).

I've arrived at Casa Santa Brigida. It is very nice and tranquil. The picture shows the chapel where the Sisters say I can join them in Mass Sunday morning and throughout the week. The window on the second building with the shutters right next to the blue car is my room.


This picture was taken inside the courtyard of the gate I had to pass through to get on the grounds. After a quick nap and snack I have been just sitting in the courtyard and enjoying the beautiful and peaceful garden (not pictured). I hear birds, an occasional moped coming down the neighborhood streets and earlier I heard a group of young boys playing with a soccer ball.

I had to pass the Colosseum on my way here. I just threw in this picture to tease my mom. She wishes she were here. I'm trying to convince her to join me for Natale en Roma! (Christmas in Rome).

Tomorrow I'm going to go walking and explore the neighborhood. Monday morning I start class. Unfortunately, my new cell phone isn't working yet so I can't make any calls. I feel a little cut off but I did find CNN on my little TV. After a few hours of looking at all that is going on in the world....I would rather feel cut off.

My home away from home...at least for a while...

Here is my home for the next week until I become more familiar with Rome and pick a permanent location. It is Casa Santa Brigida...a community of nuns - Brigettine Sisters. According to my translation of the Italian description, it is located in a calm zone of Rome, in the vicinity of the catacombe of Saint Agnese and the Villa Paganini Park. It is furnished with simplicity and honor. It has a beautiful garden and a terrace where tranquility and rest can be enjoyed. It is about a mile walk to my class. This should be interesting. In LA I drive my car to my mailbox! Walking will be something new, but enjoyable I'm sure. As we are coming upon the "rainy" season, I need to scope out the bus routes...quickly!

Bye Bye Birdie!

Thanks to Mary Ellen Foley for agreeing to "bird" sit my two cockatiels at their home while I'm in Italy. Tiramisu and Mascarpone (I've obviously liked Italian food for years now!) Dave said he was going to welcome my birds by getting a cat! Not so funny Dave! I asked my co-worker John if he would watch them and he asked, "What happens if they die?"....NEVERMIND! Thanks for easing my mind Mary Ellen and Dave...I know they will receive great care.

TGIF! And what a Friday it will be!

It must be almost time to depart because I've been nauseous for days! Friday is the day! I fly out in the morning and will arrive in Roma Saturday! Yikes!

I start classes Monday morning 9am sharp. Not much time to leisurely roam around the city. I'll be in class 9am-1pm M-F. As I'm over 18 I've given myself permission to play hooky from school quite a few Wednesdays and go to St. Peter's Square for the Papal Audiences.

My school (pictured above) is in Piazza Bologna. Piazza Bologna is located in Bologna Square, a downtown residential neighborhood very close to the historical center and major tourist sites. It is only 3 Metro stops from the Central Railway Station of Termini, only 4 stops from Colosseum and Imperial Forum. Piazza Bologna has the underground B line , bus station and taxi station. It is also near Tiburtina Station, La Sapienza University and Villa Torlonia. Bus no. 61 goes directly to Trevi fountain and the Spanish steps.

I will study grammar and conversation (2 hours each) in a group setting. I may pick up some individual and culture classes along the way. My cohorts will probably be backpacking 19 year olds. Hmmm...Maybe I can still pass as one of their peers. Hey!....I was just carded when I asked for a glass of wine at an Italian restaurant so stop laughing...it can happen.

It has been quite a bit of work to prepare for my "boondoggle" but I'm on my way. This week has been a tough one...my mom was in a car accident in Michigan (She is fine... Praise God). I got food poisoning Friday and a flat tire Monday. I may have to limp my way to the airport Friday but I'll get to Rome!

Sono eccitato! (I'm excited!)

Buon giorno!

I'm traveling to Italy to study Italian language and culture for ~6 months. My plans are constantly evolving but the current plan is to stay in Rome for 3 months, Florence for 2 months and Assisi for 1 month. I'll travel around the country on weekend trips also. Additionally, I plan on spending a few weeks in Madrid, Spain visiting my host family from when I was a foreign exchange student at 15 (20 years ago!), touring that beautiful country and refreshing my Spanish.

I hope you join me on the journey!