I let it take my breath away

Yesterday my art history class had a mandatory excursion to Hadrian’s villa in Tivoli. Hadrian’s villa can only be described as romantic. In the 2^nd century AD, a time of peace in Rome, the emperor Hadrian built a 250 acre villa and moved his court to Tivoli. The villa was mostly decomposed however a few pools still remain.  It was a bit hard to picture the vastness of this place in the time in which it was built. We then proceeded to the actual town if Tivoli where I saw the most beautiful garden.

The Este family, one of the richest Italian families in all of history, owned a villa compiled of thousands upon thousands of fountains. It was absolutely gorgeous and I let it take my breath away. You look down and four levels with more and more fountains. Inside the villa were beautiful and renowned works of art.  It was an amazing day I am so lucky I took the class and get to see all of these places.

Today about 20 of us went to the beach. It was a little pricey to get in, 10 Euro, but it included showers, chair, pool, and volleyball. The sand was black?!? No idea but it was a nice day trip spent with some really great people and it only cost 2 Euro to get there! Score!

(pics are up on my Facebook of both Hadrian’s villa and the garden)

Meeting Poppa Joe

Yesterday Was my first day of classes I had Roman History. The lectures are pretty long and also have an on-site day. My professor is a native Italian archeologist who seems to really know his stuff. I also experienced the Italian market it reminded me a lot of Zerns back home. They sell everything from clothes to meats. It was extremly difficult to order food I only ordered olives (which were amazing)  for 1 Euro. I had my Italian phrasebook and was trying to say what I wanted, I looked like a total American lol. After the market my neighbors and I went out to lunch at a nice place on the corner and ordered pasta. It was a nice change from the 5 Euro take away personal pizza that we've been getting.
Yesterday night or this morning to be technical was crazy, we met Poppa Joe is a Temple grad who moved back to Italy and made his own job by promoting this club called Bloom. My roomate heard about this club Bloom through a friend of a friend and we decided to check it out! Why not? None of us had class will 5 PM the next day. So we get to Bloom around midnight and no one is there Poppa Joe greeted us at the door and treated the girls to some drinks. Poppa Joe explained that Romans dont get started till 1 AM and go till about 4 AM. So we proceeded to be out till 4 AM. When in Rome!

The first couple of days

On Saturday we went to Todi, a medieval town in Umbria. It was beautiful non-touristy spot with some parts dating back to 500 BCE. We then proceeded to Titgnnano castle were the Temple Rome program treated us to a 12 course meal. The castle and space was beautiful overlooking the Tiber river. All the food was good we were served antipasta, bruschetta, 2 pasta courses, 3 meat courses, and finally a dessert wine with biscotti. Saturday night we went out to a place called Testaghanni (maybe thats how its spelled no clue) its a strip with discos's lined along it.yea there called Disco's cause Bar's here are actually like 711's.
Today we had orientation in which everyone was hung over and didnt retain ANYTHING but im sure things will be repeated. We then proceeded to go on a walking tour to get to know Roma a little better. We saw the Trev e Fountain, Spanish Steps, this monument I cant think of the name of, and we learned how to ride the public transportation. I must have walked 10 miles today seeing all these places that are right next door to me! Tomorrow is the first day of classes and then Tuesday where going on site!

IM HERE ITALY CANT HANDLE ME!!!

So I made it!! 2 cars, 2 planes, and a van and... I'm here! My flight was smooth no complaninents. My mom slipped me an ambian before I left and I was out like a light after dinner and missed the planes breakfast. I arrived at my residence, its a small aprtment with two bedrooms and a tiny kitchen which includes a table and four chairs not bad for a flat (I'll post pictires soon). I HAVE NO ROOMATES, as of right now that is. However the girls next door said they would adopt me. I got all settled into my room and then proceeded to expolore with the girls next door. At 6 most of the students in the Rome program met up and went for pizza and we walked to our campus. We then came back had some wine and now just reminesing about the exciting first day. Tomorrow we will be traveling to the medievel town of Todi where we will explore and be treated to a 12 course meal at a castle cant wait!

It only just begun

The title of the blog, bella viaggio, means beautiful journey, which I hope to have.

I wanted to write this blog for a few reasons. One I wanted to document my trip and two I wanted those who cared to see what I was up to in Italy.

I have two days till my departure and I am freaking out. Do I have everything? Im I going to make friends? What should I expect from this experience? All these things are racing through my head! I can only imagine what Italy has in store for me