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The Crazy Cat Lady at Torre Argentina.

The Crazy Cat Lady at Torre Argentina.

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Yes, that’s me. Yes, those are a lot of cats. No, they did not ask me if they can has cheezeburger or anything like that.

This picture was taken at Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome. The ruins of what used to be a temple to the goddess Fortuna have been, over time, transformed into a cat shelter. Cats on the left, cats on the right, but don’t bring food unless the shelter itself is open – they don’t want the cats to expect food from every tourist that comes by (and certainly don’t want you to feed them pizza and other people food). I had cat treats on hand. They likely would have allowed it if the shelter part had been open when I got there (it closes at around 6).

There are many cats wandering about in Rome (including a few on campus), but it is still stunning to see so many in one place, among ancient ruins no less.  Also, be sure to buy something at the shop- the cats could use the money!

This is Kuro, signing out. Tune in next time for “How to Survive A Papal Audience!”

How To Survive A Papal Blessing.

How To Survive A Papal Blessing.

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According to my Italian textbook, religion (i.e. Roman Catholicism) is one of the main reasons people go to Rome. Although I am not Catholic, I do acknowledge the impact  that Catholicism has had on Western history and art, plus Father Bosco’s tours usually featured gelato at the end. I even went to the papal blessing.

This is not the line. This is AFTER the line.

What a mistake that was. Sure, it was cool to get decent seats for such a huge event, but honestly, it barely felt worth getting up so early in the morning.

Yes, one has to get up early to visit the Pope. It takes less than an hour to get from campus to Vatican City. The reason is the line: Picture the longest line to a concert you have ever seen. Then remember that Italians do not believe in orderly cues, so it is more like a mass of people in front of the Vatican. Seats fill up fast, so be sure to get your (free!) ticket beforehand.

Here’s another thing you should get beforehand: BREAKFAST. The food at the Vatican is overpriced and tastes only slightly better than the “Italian” food in America. I paid 3 Euro (at least .50 more than average) for mint gelato that was far from the best. Considering the sheer amount of people that go to the Vatican, one would think they would have better food. They do not. They are ripping you off for every last centime. (If anyone knows of a GOOD place to eat near the Vatican, do inform me.) Get breakfast first, even if it is just something small.

Speaking of small things that you should probably get beforehand, if you have any rosaries that need blessing, bring them along. The rosaries available just outside of the Vatican are only slightly overpriced (Rome has some amazingly fancy ones, but the ones at the Vatican aren’t a bargain, either). The blessing itself isn’t much to look at, but one student brought her grandma’s rosary over. That rosary had waited 150 years to reach Vatican City!

If you are going during the summer, bring an umbrella. It is hot, hot, hot in Rome and you will be sitting for a very long time beneath the beating sun. Prepare adequately. Bring a lot of water if they let you take it in. Do what you must to stay cool as long as it does not violate church rules.

Even after all of this, it is sometimes hard to get a good look at the Pope. Bring a camera with zoom in case you do not get a prime seat. It was still pretty cool to be able to speak Latin in public (even though church Latin is pronounced differently from pagan Latin) and, even though the blessing was extremely brief,  there’s something special about my blessed rosary.

In summary, go there once if you are curious, twice if you are a devout Christian. Any more often and you risk your sanity. Oh, and have breakfast beforehand.

Tips On Beating the Heat!

Tips On Beating the Heat!

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Roman summers are hot! Here is a quick guide on a few ways for you to keep your cool:

1. Drink water. Lots of it. This should be obvious, but most of us are not in the habit of carrying a water bottle or two around. Save your bottles. Rome has several fountains where one can refill one’s water containers. There is a machine near the vending machines that also gives free water. Take advantage of it. Bonus point: If you have a metallic water bottle, it will keep your water cool as a cucumber.

2. Gelato is delicious. It is, however, still ice cream, so if you are watching calories, beware. There are a variety of flavors to choose from. The most interesting one I have found recently is affectionately dubbed “Puffa” (“Smurf”), possibly in honor of the live-action movie coming out. Oh, and it’s blue, too.

Yes, it really is that blue.

3. A granita chills you to the bone. Gelato is nice, but even with the hot sun beating down on you, a granita will make your whole body feel cold. Granita are essentially Italian slushies, so if you miss things like ICEEs, give a granita a try. They usually come in 2-4 flavors. Look for the slushie machines hiding in gelato shops.

Hope these tips help all new Rome applicants! Ciao!

Rome Around the World

Rome Around the World

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I am finally here! Roma! In a town called Monte Mario, not long of a bus ride away from the city, is the John Felice Rome Center Loyola University Chicago.

Today, January 19th, 2012, marks 1 week, 1 day here. Below consists of how fast my first week flew by:

Day 1:

Flight to Roma

– Chicago to Germany

– 3 hour layover at Germany

– Germany to Rome

    After long hours of flying, I finally made it. The weather was just wonderful – compared to the super cold weather back in Chicago, Illinois.

    Orientation Day 1 – January 11th, 2012

    Meeting new friends today was great. Not only are people here at the John Felice Rome Center from Loyola University Chicago, but other students from around the US are studying here as well. Today just consisted of registration, completing our forms to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, picture taking for our JFRC id and time for unpacking!

    Day 2:

    Orientation Day 2

    Italian Survival : This was a class that was more like a review of going over the basics of the Italian language : conversation starters and everyday phrases. After the first part of the day went by, my new friends and I walked down to the local supermarket and got some milk and cereal for breakfast. Can’t forget the good ol’ Nutella – Italian style, yummmmm.

    Night out in the city:

    Tonight, we are going to take a journey into the city! Using the bus and walking around using a manual GPS, we followed the detailed map of Rome and started exploring. We made it to the Fontana di Trevi – priceless view! We all made a couple wishes and threw the coins behind our backs, into the fountain. Then we got some gelato (nociola e tiramisu) …. Buona! We then sat by the Fontana di Trevi and enjoyed the rest of our dessert. After that, we walked to the Spanish Steps – 170 steps later, we made it to the top!

    Day 4:

    Saturday, January 14th

    Today, we went to the Colosseum!  Perfect day – blue sky, sunny and warm! The architecture is just breathtaking. The last time I visited Rome was back in 2003 with my family, but the second time around is even better! Then, we walked to the Roman Forum. So cool… Just imagine, 2,000 years ago, Romans lived, walked and had gatherings where we stood today. The city that is here today in Rome is above an old city that once lived long ago. It’s unbelievable that people back then were able to think, act and build something so beautiful and creative. How did they do such a thing?

    Then, we took a long walk from the Roman Forum to a place to eat. We each ordered our own individual pizzas with a couple glasses of Moscato wine. After that, we walked about 20 more minutes to the Vatican. WOW…. Is all I can say to explain how beautiful the sight of the Vatican at night looks like. From there, we walked to this gelato place called, Old Bridge… THE BEST GELATO so far. Delicious!

    Day 5 : School Trip to Tivoli

    Today was a little chilly. We took the charter bus to Tivoli, up in the mountains. The view was outstanding. The villa we went to go visit was built by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, known for it’s many gardens and fountains. So much beautiful land on top of a very high mountain! Then after that, we went to a typical Tivoli restaurant, that was literally a cave that was discovered by the owner’s grandfather. Very cool experience.

    January 16th, 2012

    This week is the start of classes. After the first couple days of orientation and getting settled in, it’s time to get back to the real world. I’m taking 12 credit hours, studying Art, Philosophy, History and Literature. Should be a great semester!

    January 17th

    Signed up for my study trip to Tuscany!! Never been there and cannot wait!! I’ve heard many great things.

    January 18th, 2012

    Signed up for another study trip to Sicily!!

    _____________________________________________________

    Well, after a week and 1 day of being here at the Rome Center, I’ve become settled into my home away from home for the next 3.5ish months. Tomorrow, the school is bringing us to a weekend long trip about 3 hours away from Rome. Stay tuned for more blogging!! =)

    Is it called study ‘abroad’ when you are going home?

    Is it called study ‘abroad’ when you are going home?

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    When I told people at Loyola that I wanted to study abroad in Rome this year, some of them were confused. They asked me, “why study abroad in the country that your family is from?” Well, to me, it isn’t just studying abroad. My year abroad will give me an opportunity that I never had during vacations to Italy did in previous years. When I go on vacation in Italy, I hang out with friends and family, go out all the time, and don’t do much else. My laundry is always done, my meals are always prepared, and I usually don’t have to pay for anything. While this is wonderful and I love it, I don’t feel like I’ve gotten a true sense of living as an Italian. My family lives in Calabria, which is in the very south of Italy, not very close to Rome. This means that I’ll be having to do my own chores and learn to get around the city on my own. This whole year to me is an opportunity to take a test drive of living an Italian lifestyle. I’ll have to work, go to school, and learn about Rome on my own.

    As great as it will be to gain some independence abroad, the best part about me studying in Rome is that it is only a 40 minute plane ride away from my hometown! This means, lots of visits back and forth from my cousins, aunts, and uncles. I love living in the U.S., but the one things that really stinks is that I live so far from most of my family. So now is my chance to spend some time with them. This year is going to be full of adventure and excitement. I can’t wait to share it with you all!

    Is This Real Life??

    Is This Real Life??

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    Finally in ROME! It’s Thursday afternoon and it has been a week since I arrived in Rome. It has been a dream of mine to study abroad and now that I am here I can’t believe it! (IS THIS REAL LIFE?)

    Before coming to the John Felice Center I came to Rome with my grandparents, my two sisters and my three cousins. I had just graduated high school and my grandparents took us to Rome for a few days because my Papa wanted us to see and experience where my Nana grew up. It was an amazing experience and I was very fortunate to go with them, but now I have more time to experience the Italian culture.

    So far I have loved everything Italy has to offer! I love how the culture focuses on being in the moment with friends and not worry about what’s going to happen next, which is a nice and much needed change for me. JFRC organized a neighborhood dinner near the school and our table sat there for 3 hours. We enjoyed some amazing food, talked about what we’ve done thus far and where we would like to travel. If you do come here (WHICH YOU BETTER) I highly recommend attending that meal.

    Also, the SLAs (Student Life Assistants) and the full-year students give the best and craziest advice. They don’t tell you where to go or what to see first, but rather want you to figure it out. I did that on Saturday with a group of friends after the tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum (INCREDIBLE) and we had a great time! We didn’t plan ahead at all. We just walked down different alleys and streets and got familiar with this incredible city.

    Experiencing the food, the monuments, and the Italian culture has been absolutely amazing. I love everything so far! This weekend we are going on an orientation trip to Campania, aregion in southern Italy, and then Brussels, Belgium next weekend!

    Until next time…

    Casey

    Mozzarella, Waffles and French Fries

    Mozzarella, Waffles and French Fries

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    It is a Thursday night and I am currently sitting in JFRC’s IC finishing up some homework. Not hitting up Rome tonight, but saving that for this weekend!

    Two weeks ago I went on the orientation trip to Salerno and it was beautiful! We went the region of Campina, and stayed in the town of Salerno. It is a picture perfect coastal town. We had so much planned into the trip, but my favorite parts were drinking wine at the bottom of Mount Vesuvius, and visiting a buffalo mozzarella farm. I can actually say that I had wine at the bottom of the Mount Vesuvius, and I have the pictures to prove it. Then the buffalo mozzarella farm was a personal favorite because I’m from Buffalo, New York, so I went a little crazy with the fact that a Buffalonian was hanging out with some buffalos.

    After that weekend I experienced my first planned weekend trip! A group of us from JFRC all went to Brussels, Belgium for the weekend. The center city was all cobble stone street, small alleys that you can walk down, and a large medieval style square called Grand Place. It was like a small town in a large city. The first thing I did in Brussels was eat a Belgian Waffle, and I licked that plate clean. I also had amazing french fries with mayo, disgusting I know but when in Europe! Then I knew Brussels is known for there seafood and a group of us found this stand up place near Saint Catherine’s Cathedral. I can honestly say that it was the best seafood of my life.

    Thus far my trips outside of Rome have been incredible experiences filled with unforgettable memories.

    Next time I will talk about my adventure in Rome and my trip to Paris!!

    Until then…

    Case

    Crepes, Crepes, and more Crepes, please!

    Crepes, Crepes, and more Crepes, please!

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    Sorry that is has been so long! February was a very busy month. SO MUCH TRAVELING!!

    In the beginning of February I went to Paris!! It was an amazing trip because not only did I get to visit the City of Lights, but also I got to see my cousin and friend Mia. My cousin Bridget is studying in London for the semester and then Mia is in Paris. It was once in a lifetime experience to go and meet up with some of my best friends in such a beautiful city.

    I arrived in Paris on Thursday night and stayed until Sunday morning. Bridget and I stayed together in the hostel because Mia is doing a home stay. On Thursday night we all met up to get dinner and catch up on our time abroad. We ended with our first night together by seeing the Eiffel Tower at night. It was the perfect way to end our first night together!

    On Friday morning we got up early and walked around the city. Mia lives right near the Eiffel Tower so we walked from that area all the way to the Lourve. What was great about our trip was that Bridget and I had already been there when we were young with our grandparents, so we didn’t have to do any of the touristy stuff. We just roamed the streets of Paris, which was absolutely perfect. I had my first crepe and french macaroon there, AMAZING. I would go back solely to eat the macaroons.

    We were tourists one day and went out to see the Palace of Versailles. I had never seen pictures of the Versailles, and I’m glad I didn’t; the pictures would not do it justice. It such a grand and beautiful place to go, and I would recommend anyone traveling to Paris to see it. The rooms were all extravagant and a bit ostentatious. My favorite (along with everyone else who goes to Versailles) was the Hall of Mirrors. I took a few mirror pictures, and I am not ashamed of it. After Versailles we went back to Paris, to again wander around Paris.

    By far one of my favorite experiences I have had thus far in my time abroad. I still can’t believe that I got to see my closest friends in Paris! It was unreal to all be in Europe together and then being able to meet up.

    Until next time….

    Case

     

    “Culaccino”

    “Culaccino”

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    Ciao a tutti!

    Don’t be thrown off by the fact that the first four words of this blog have been in Italian, I do not know Italian (yet). But I do know how important words are to us humans and therefore I will warn you all right here and right now that all of my blog posts will be centered around the word I choose to use as the title. You will learn to love it though, don’t worry.

    Today I begin my grand adventure to Rome to study for the first semester of my senior year of college. So, if you have already looked up “culaccino” or you have seen the picture posted below you will wonder what this word has to do with my expeditions.

    "Pre-Day One"
    “Culaccino” – (Italian) The mark left on a table by a cold glass.

    1. It’s the only Italian word I could find that was untranslatable in English other than “gattara,” which describes and old lonely lady who devotes herself to stray cats… you can see why that wasn’t my first choice.

    2. The fact that the Italians have a single word for such a simple image that we have all experienced in our lives gets me more excited than ever to visit such a beautiful country! I hope to find myself smiling at many a marks left on tables by cold glasses while I am abroad.

    Anyways, I am not going to ramble on about myself today simply because the more you read the more you will get to know me and this blog is primarily about every one of you anyways. Here’s to hoping you all can get something out of my blog at least once during my travels.

    Gotta jet, time to catch my flight!

    Cheers,
    Megan

    First Encounters and Adventures in Umbria

    First Encounters and Adventures in Umbria

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    Tomorrow will mark the third week of being in Rome. My time here has been so packed thus far that it seems like I have been here much longer! At last everything is slowing down after a whirlwind of excitement following my arrival.

    The strangest thing about my first encounters with the city is how distant and unreal each discover has been. Eager to see everything Rome is known for, my fellow classmates and I took to the town encountering many of the famous sites within the first days. Such encounters were so brief and often sudden (I think I’m better at finding monuments unintentionally than when I’m armed with a map) that I feel I can hardly check those sites off my Roman Bucket list. Now, slowly but surely, I feel myself starting to match the beat of the city, digesting its full brilliance.

    The greatest event thus far was our orientation trip to the countryside of Umbria. The beauty of the mountains absolutely surrounded us everywhere we went. The first day was spent exploring the town of Bevagna. Strongly in touch with its medieval roots, Bevagna has many artisan craftsmen and women that practice and preserve the methods used generations before them. Along our way through the twisting and turning streets we stopped at the shops of a paper maker, silk maker, coin minter, and candlestick maker. The amount of time that goes into the old trades is remarkable! Silk especially takes patience, requiring 7 perfect strands to make a single thread!

     

    The Roman Bridge in Spoleto
    Spoleto is known for 3 beautiful things: La Montagna, La Chiesa, e Il Ponte.

    My favorite of the four towns we visited was Spoleto. While still very connected to its ancient and medieval past like Bevagna, what stood out about Spoleto is its prevalent connection to art of all mediums and eras. Each summer Spoleto puts on a two month long festival in their 1st Century B.C. amphitheater, drawing performers and artists from all over the world. While excitement and pride stirred by the event can be felt yearlong, I only hope that I may be back one day to experience the festivities first hand! Art truly comes alive in Spoleto.

    Our view of the Vineyard during our wine tasting
    Our view of the Vineyard during our wine tasting.

    Food was of course a great ordeal though out the weekend. One afternoon was spent wine tasting and exploring the orchards of Il Carapace Winery. The wine was great (red being the specialty of the region) but we were rather rushed and I hope to have a more thorough introduction to wine tasting in the future. We also had the pleasure of dining in an olive orchard! The meal incorporated traditional Umbrian bread (marked by its lack of salt), many types of spreads on toasted bread bruschetta style including an olive pate (must tomatoes be involved to call it bruschetta? I’ll have to find out), pesto (my favorite!), and the best sausage I have ever tasted. Many of the other meals on the trip were similar using traditional Umbrian dishes and seasonal ingredients. It was pork season (something that I never considered having a season but I suppose all things do in some sense of the term) so most meals involved pork. After my third meal of pork and potatoes I may have started to regret my decision not to eat vegetarian while aboard. Nonetheless the food was fantastic! I’m truly enjoying the pastas I have encountered and even more so the antipasti.

    This past weekend was my first real weekend in Rome but since nothing terribly remarkable occurred and many other Rome adventures will happen in the near future I’ll wait to tell you more about the city some other time.