Home
I have been home for two whole days now, and it feels weird. Part of me is happy to be home, but part of me misses Italy. Rome was amazing, and I hope to go back someday. I also miss the people. Our group of 10 became friends, and it isn’t the same. I don’t have people to go eat with or go walk around exploring with. Being in Italy was exciting, and now it’s back to not so exciting Frankfort, Kentucky.
I am happy to have my bed back, and my shower. I think my feather pillow might be my most prized possession. Reliable internet is also nice. I feel like I have missed a lot since being home, and there is so much to catch up on. I am excited to just relax and enjoy the summer, but I still have to write two papers for the study abroad trip.
I like blogging, and I think I might try to keep my blog updated. It won’t be every day, but I’m going to try to post here and there. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog about Italy!
-Jessica
1 comment June 19, 2009
St. Peter’s
Laurel and I went to mass at St. Peter’s this morning. We were trying to make the 10:30 mass, but we ended up not going until 12:15. I enjoyed it, even though I’m not Catholic. I felt a little out of place because it was all in Italian, and I didn’t know what to do. Laurel is Catholic, and she was able to figure out most of what was spoken, so I just did what she did. I’m glad that I went because it was a good experience. How many people can say they have been to mass at St. Peter’s?
Our time in Italy is quickly coming to an end. I have mixed feelings about this. I have enjoyed my time here, and I am sad to be leaving because there are so many things that we didn’t get to do. However, I am excited to go back and have all the comforts of home again.
1 comment June 15, 2009
Florence
We visited Florence today, and it was amazing! We saw the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore from the outside, and it was beautiful. We were able to go to the Galleria and see Michelangelo’s David. After seeing the original David, the replicas look so plain now. I can’t explain how perfect David was. We’re weren’t allowed to take pictures, and there were people around us making sure we weren’t taking pictures, so we couldn’t sneak any. If anyone ever goes to Florence, the one thing I recommend is seeing David. We also did some shopping while we were there. I bought a purse made from real Italian leather; I can’t wait to use it. I would love to have a leather jacket, but I restrained myself. I think that’s what I want for my graduation present (Hint Hint Mom and Dad). I wish we could have stayed another day so we could have gone inside a few churches, but I had a great day nonetheless. Florence is as beautiful as everyone told me it was, and I was not disappointed.
I think that’s it as far as our big adventures. We’re on our own the next two days to do last minute sightseeing or shopping, and we have to pack. Packing… ugh. I don’t want to think about it.
1 comment June 13, 2009
AP
We visited the Associated Press today, and it was interesting. However, it was not air conditioned, so it felt like it was about 800 degrees. The biggest story they are working on is the trial of Amanda Knox, who is on trial for murdering her roommate. Regardless of whether she is innocent or guilty, in the Italian government, you are guilty until proven innocent. No one really thinks she has a prayer of being found innocent. I hope to be able to continuing following this story when I return home.
Last night, we went on a pub crawl. It was something that I was glad to have done, but I will never do it again. I’m not much of a bar girl (unless it’s Froggy’s or somewhere where I know a lot of people), so I felt a little awkward. I did have fun, and, like I said, I’m glad I did it. It was an unforgettable experience. Let’s leave it at that.
Add a comment June 13, 2009
Laurel, Josh, and Jessica’s Excellent Adventure
Last night after dinner, Laurel, Josh, and I decided to be adventurous. We got a bus and jumped off at a random stop. However, it ended up not being very adventurous because the bus only went straight, and we were still in Trastevere, the part of town where our hotel is. So, we decided to go back to the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain is beautiful at night, and we did the traditional throwing the coins over our shoulder into the fountain. After we walked around for awhile, we tried to go home. However, we ended up getting on the wrong bus, and we rode around Rome on the bus for about 45 minutes. After we got off, it was after midnight, and all the busses had stopped running. We had to walk the rest of the way home.
Luckily, I was with two other people, or else I would have been scared out of my mind. I’m not that adventurous, so I guess this is my one adventure of the trip, besides the boat ride, of course.
We’re starting to wrap things up here in Rome. We have a few more days here, but everyone is trying to finish up their projects. Tomorrow we are visiting the AP bureau, and we are going to Florence on Saturday. Other than that we’re on our own to go do last minute things that we want to do before leaving. The only other things I want to do are go to a mass (which I think a few of us are going to on Sunday), and shopping.
1 comment June 11, 2009
The Vatican
Today’s Lesson: always charge your camera before going somewhere, even if you think your battery is okay. My camera died 20 minutes into the Vatican today. FAIL. But other people in my group took pictures so I’ll just take them off facebook.
Today was absolutely amazing! We saw the Pope this morning, and I got a picture of him! We were standing in the back next to the walkway, so we got an excellent view of him. Then, we toured the Vatican. It’s beautiful. I loved the ceilings; they look 3D but it is completely flat and everything is painted on. I was afraid that I would be disappointed by the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, but I wasn’t. The Sistine Chapel was overwhelming, and I could have stared at it for hours.
After we finished touring the Vatican, we went to St. Peter’s church. I liked St. Peter’s just as much as I liked the Vatican, even though it lacked the Sistine Chapel. It was amazing to see the artwork; I would love to attend a church like St. Peter’s. We found out that there is a mass at 10:30 on Sunday, and I would like to go to it. I wouldn’t be able to understand anything, but it would be an unique experience.
Add a comment June 10, 2009
CNN
We went to CNN today in Italy. I thought it was interesting, but it was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be. It was just a Bureau, not an office like the headquarters in Atlanta. I have a picture beside the CNN logo, though, so that is all that matters. Besides, how many people can say they’ve been to CNN, let alone the CNN in Rome?
On another note, since we have been here people have been telling us how everyone likes Americans so much better now that Obama is our president. I think this is really funny. One person can change an entire country’s view about us. I think that they should know that George W. Bush does not represent all of America, but I guess that doesn’t matter now because they like us now. Thank you Obama.
Tomorrow we are going to the Vatican. We are going very early, but we will be there for a few hours, and we will probably beat the crowd. I am excited about seeing the Sistine Chapel and the Pope. Apparently he will come out and talk to the audience. I think tomorrow will be a great day, even if I have to get up at the crack of dawn.
2 comments June 9, 2009
Colosseum, Forum, and Cat Sanctuary
I had a very exciting day in Rome. We toured the Colosseum, the Forum, and the ancient ruins. At the Colosseum, I tried to imagine what it was like during games and the Olympics, but it was hard. It definitely wasn’t like modern football stadiums.
I didn’t think that I would like the ancient ruins, but I thought it was interesting. We were able to see Julius Caesar’s grave and where Augustus lived. I took a million pictures, so next week everyone will be able to see what I saw.
After we left the Forum, a few of us went to the Cat Sanctuary, which is a cat adoption agency. I fell in love with about 5 different cats. I would have taken them all home if I could have fit them in my suitcase, especially Richter. It was an earthquake survivor, hence it’s name. It was a young cat, and it was very playful. I wasn’t used to playing with cats with front claws, and I have three scratches on my hand to prove it!
At the sanctuary, one of the workers said it is very hard to get black cats adopted. This is like America, where everyone thinks that black cats are evil. I hate this because I have a black cat, and he is the sweetest cat you will ever meet.
The next two days will be exciting as well because we are going to CNN, the Rome “Hollywood”, and the Vatican. I think I will love all of these places.
Add a comment June 8, 2009
Rome
There’s not much to report today. We went to the market, where I found a few things, but it really wasn’t what I expected it to be. Oh well. We’re here for another week so there will be more shopping opportunities.
This upcoming week looks like it will be exciting. We are going back to the Colosseum and the Forum, and will get to go inside this time. We are also touring CNN and the Vatican, and Saturday we are taking a trip to Florence. We decided not to go to Pisa because it is expensive, and we would only get to stay for three or four hours. We all decided that we would rather save our money for Florence and other things in Rome.
I’ve had many new experiences in Rome. A few nights ago, most of us when a bar called “Coming Out.” It was a very interesting experience. I’ve always considered myself a very tolerant person, so I ended up having a pretty good time. But, it was… very interesting.
Another thing that I would like to mention is that it is my sorority sister’s birthday today. Laura Chaney would have been 19 today. She passed away on May 11, and all of Sigma Kappa misses her so much! I’ve been thinking about her all day. Happy Birthday, Laura! We all love and miss you!
1 comment June 7, 2009
Exploring and Sleeping In
I hate sleeping in when I’m in Rome, but I really needed it. Today, I woke up and ate breakfast, and then went back to sleep until almost 1:00. It was wonderful.
After waking up, a few of us went exploring. We went to a few sites, and our last stop was the Vatican. We will be going inside and touring it next week, but the outside is amazing. It is very decorative; it has columns with gargolye figures on top, and it looks like a castle. I can’t wait to spend a day exploring the inside; it is what I am most excited about on this trip.
Something I’ve learned about Italy is that it is definitely different than America. When the maids come and clean your room, they throw things away. Today, they threw away my food, and I think they may have thrown away my souvenir from the Synagogue. Another girl had her wine bottles that she had been collecting thrown away. I like the system in America: if something is on the bed, they don’t make the bed, and they aren’t supposed to touch our items. So, I had to spend money buying food to replace the food I already had. It was annoying.
Tomorrow, we are going to the market to shop. I have a lot of things to buy, not only for myself but for my family. Last chance to tell me if you want anything! I haven’t bought very many souvenirs yet because I have been waiting for the market, but I have a feeling my bank account might be empty after tomorrow.
Add a comment June 6, 2009
