Roman Family Life/Appartment

Hey everyone! Rome the first week has been an adjustment that's for sure. I got in last Saturday and had to immediately remember my Italian from three months ago in an attempt to communicate my family history, what I like to eat and what I wanted to do to my host mom/grandma (nonna) and her daughter, Rafaella.

Also, when I first read the letter Antonietta (mia nonna italiana) sent, I guess I misread it, her daughters are actually 44 and 40 (or something like that).

I live in an appartment about 3mi south of il centro storico, just outside the ancient Roman walls. The area isn't too much to look at, but graffitti is common in most all areas of Rome. For the size of my apartment, I actually have a pretty good size room, although the bed is just a twin with my feet hanging over the end.

The apartment is two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen and two small banconies (one of them being off my room).

It's been a real challenge to adjust to speaking Italian all the time and I desperately miss English. I think it's really more though that I am not living in the immediate vicinity of all my friends and having to adjust to both that and living in a large city for the first time. It's been a learning experience, that's for sure.

Classes are good, but real tough, I'm not sure what to expect from the tests in Italian 8 (culture/art) and Italian 10 (into to Italian lit), but I'm hoping it gets easier as I get accustomed to the language. Italian 12 (adv. language) isn't as bad as the other two because it's just a harder version of the previous grammar classes I've had. My classes are held in la Piazza della Cancelleria right next to the busy (and touristy) Campo de' Fiori. There is a market there each day where we all buy our lunch (covered by tuition). I'll put some pictures of that up soon.

This last weekend we had Friday off and could only stay in Rome in order to familiarize ourselves with the city. This coming weekend I'm planning on travelling nearby (only a two day weekend) to a city within just a couple hours by train, perhaps Siena.

I'll try to post on the blog once more before I go with some more anecdotal information, but for now I need to get back to my homework (the hardest adjustment of all).

Ciao from Italy!

Shipping Out

Just about done with the packing, still have to see what all I absolutely need to bring and how to get my bags under 50 pounds. My flight leaves at 8:15am PST tomorrow, with a 4 1/2 hour layover in Toronto. I arrive in Rome at 11:00am (Rome Time: +9 West Coast, +6 East Coast), and have to get on the Leonardo Da Vinci Express to the Stazioni Termini where I will meet my host family and see everyone else on the trip at 3:00pm.

My next post will be from la bella paese d'Italia!

Update: Gift

I ended up getting my host mom a Dartmouth blanket. I know it seems a little but of a cop out, but I know that people use blankets and I wouldn't have to figure out a size. As far as wine goes, I wouldn't be able to get out of the country with it even though I know Northwest wine is pretty good. I figure I can get them something else near the end of my trip after I know my host family's taste.

Nine Days Left!

I haven't left yet, but it's getting close. I still have to get all my paperwork organized and make sure everything I want to pack fits into my two suitcases. Also, I'm still trying to figure out what to get my host mom/host family. My mom has said Made in Oregon is a good choice and I agree with that, but I have also heard sending some fresh salmon or buying a Dartmouth something. Thoughts?