Tourist Attractions

Another few days in Roma. We've done some very tourist-y sightseeing in the past few days, that is when we aren't being shuffled from one place to another for this competition we're doing.

We decided to eat at a cafe before our outing. We had bruschetta as an appetizer, which is the first time I've ever eaten the dish. I don't really like tomatoes, but this was delicious. We actually got the appetizer, primo piatto, secondo piatto, and a dessert all for a 10 euro special. We shall make a return visit.

Bruschetta, which is some tomatoes on toasted bread with olive oil and spices.

The soda here is even different. It tastes much better, for one, because they use natural flavors with no preservatives. You wouldn't think that would make a difference, but it does. The orange soda in the photo was made with real oranges. It tasted basically like slightly carbonated orange juice. Delizioso.

That same day we had one destination we had to see: the Pantheon. I've never been to Europe, and whenever I think of Italy, I think of wine, cheese, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. On our way to the Pantheon, we ended up in the Piazza Navona. Since I've been in Italy, I haven't really fully believed that I was here. It seemed that I was just in a really cute town somewhere. Walking into the Piazza Navona convinced me. Its absolutely enormous, and its so gorgeous. The fact that all of those statues and the details in the buildings has lasted for so many years is just amazing. I was also instantly reminded of Dr. Craig Zabel's class and his love for Bernini and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Piazza Navona

Fountain of the Four Rivers

After spending some time there, we finally reached the Pantheon. It was crowded, but I think it always is. I never realized how big the Pantheon actually is. I've seen tons of pictures of it (thank you, Jamie Cooper) but never realized just how large it actually is. Its also pretty cool that when we leave class everyday that we see the Pantheon the second we walk out the door.
It truly is remarkable how the Pantheon is essentially intact compared to what it was thousands of years ago. I suppose its because it was used as a church. They still had an altar and pews set up. No idea if they use them, though.

Interior... tons of people

Love the oculus and the light. Will be making a trip to the Pantheon when it rains too.

Exterior

We also happened upon an Italian church when we were near the Pantheon. It was called Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena I think. I've never heard of it, but the interior was very well decorated and intricate. It was all the original marble and gold leaf. I don't really go to church, but I'd go to mass just to be able to sit in that church. Its weird to think that Italians are used to going to church in places so ephemeral and beautiful.

Interior of the church

We also happened across the Trevi Fountain too. We had no idea we were so close to it. We stopped at a pharmacy too (farmacia). They're nothing like CVS from the States. Everything is locked away in cabinets, and pharmacists (called chemists here) have you get basically everything for you - anything from tylonel to typical prescription drugs. They're also expensive. A lot of our prescription drugs aren't even legal here. I got medication for mosquito bites, which apparently are monster mosquitoes judging by the size of the bites. The medication basically looked like ammonia-flavored lip gloss. It worked well, though.

Trevi Fountain

The sculptures were very majestic, but its a pretty crowded tourist spot. It was hard to really get a good view of it. I want to try to go at night and see it illuminated, and possibly have a bit more space.

Living in Italy is definitely an experience. The cashier at the supermarket got visibly angry because we didn't give exact change. At least I'm assuming she was annoyed. She looked angry and seemed to be saying some very angry words in Italian. Not appreciated. Being able to walk to get gelato or go to an open market for fresh fruit, vegetables, and pasta is great, though. Making fresh beef with peppers and onions for dinner is delicious. I've already tried three flavors of gelato (fragola, cioccolato, tiramisu) and am aiming to try all flavors before I leave. Its nothing compared to American ice cream. Its just so creamy, and its probably better for you too.

I really would like to see the Colosseum and Spanish Steps. I'm sure I'll see them eventually. We found one of the shopping streets (Via del Corso) where we found an H&M. Its basically the same as in America, but its cooler because it's in Italy.

We also went to a festival along the river one night. They had all of these little tables, chairs, and cushions set up alone the river in Trastevere. Clarissa, Naeemah, Rachel, and I all sat and had some wine and chatted. It was a very quiet yet enjoyable night. I wish I could do that every night. They even had little stalls set up for shopping. It seems to be a summer festival, and because it is officially September (already?!), I'm pretty sure its over now. It was nice while it lasted, though. I'm excited to see if there are more celebrations and festivals in Rome and Europe as a whole.

That's all for now. Ciao, a presto!

That will be all for now. Ciao :)