Just click here and step in to my world for a little bit.
Anyway, life has been interesting thus far. I'm still in a somewhat dream-like state everywhere I go. I need to snap out of it, only so I'll be able to fully soak in my surroundings.
I don't think I realized how big Rome actually is. I mean, there is the main city of Rome, ancient Rome, and all of its surrounding neighborhoods. The thing I'm appreciating is living in a residential neighborhood. There is a lot going on all around here, but still has a sort of calm and sophistication of families and all kinds of people. Some of the people from the CEA program and I were talking about how Rome has so much to offer that not even four months will do it justice. And that's okay, it's exciting. It's a reason to come back. But the exciting thing is that even within the country, every city has something different to offer. Every city has it's own adventure and own culture and personal beauty, and that's what I can't wait to explore!
I so very much appreciate the way that the CEA program is structured. They value education in a practical, and very real, sense. For instance, in my Italian class, we'll be going outside the classroom and taught to find our way around the city, the market, the transportation, as well as pairing up with students from an Italian university and doing a conversational partnership for each person to improve their foreign language skills. We aren't just going to be sitting in the classroom, attempting to improve our Italian, we'll really be using it, and that is exciting.
Yesterday I feel as though I had a very Italian moment. I didn't have class until 11:30 so I got up a little early and made my way towards campus. On the way, there is a little bar (where you get coffee, cold drinks, small items) right around the corner. I was on my own at this point, so I stopped to get some breakfast. I ordered un caffe' latte freddo (cold latte; they don't do "iced" here) and a croissant. I sat outside at one of the tables under an umbrella, enjoying my italian breakfast as I read my book. It was the first time I was able to gather my thoughts, at least a little, and really just sit and observe my surroundings. It was almost like I had a little bit of a re-boot.
They weren't kidding when they told us the first week or two would be challenging. It most definitely has been, but it's all a learning process with plenty of trial and error, and we're among a wealth of history and beauty. It's hard not to fall in love at first sight! It's hardly been 2 weeks and we still have plenty ahead of us.
Don't worry about me, I'm just going down to the Tiber river later tonight. What are you doing?
3 comments:
I wish I had been under the umbrella with you, with my own caffe latte freddo and croissant. I don't even like lattes. And I really don't even like croissants unless there are gobs of chocolate oozing out the insides. But I would have liked to be there with you nonetheless. Sounds AMAZING!!!! Glad you're having fun....JEALOUS!!!!
Oh...duh...this is Abbey!!!
hey bri! sounds like your time in italy has been great so far, i'll be looking forward to reading about what you are up to. I kind of stumbled across this when i was on lindsey's blog, so it was a very pleasant surprise. have a great day!
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