September 1st…
- Italian Do: Unpack and procede to the nearest Gallery. (Which happens to be Palazzo Corsini National Gallery. The collection was created in the 18th century, and features masterpieces by Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Van Dyck! I only managed to snap one photo before the guard quickly hushed me ‘no no no’ No photos apparently… oops.)
- Italian Do: Check out the shops on Via del Corso, and start to get my footing around the eternal city and its torturous cobble stones.
- Italian Don’t: Do not lose the key to your appartment on the first day. Especially when there is a 300 euro lock change fee. (Luckily my key was found!)
- Italian Do: Go to the closest market for zucchini, onions, and green beans. (only 3 euro total!)
- Italian Do: Take a HOT shower
and wash the grime off your extremely swollen feet. - Italian Do: Make your bed, and finally sleep after a long, hot, and sweaty first day of travel.
- Located in landing of the Scala; leading to Galleria Corsini
Also in the 'Scala' at the Galleria Corsini
- Looking out onto the Parco Giancolense
Mini Italian Vocab Lesson:
- Scala = Stairwell
- Funghi = Mushrooms
- Ciao = Hi, Hello, and Bye!
September 2nd…
- Italian Do: Wake up to extremely strong french press coffee, followed by the smoothest, most delicious shot of espresso EVER, accompanied by a hot croissant.
- Italian Do: Come prepaired with all the documents neccessary for your permit to stay application, and get a FREE Italian cell phone!
- Italian Do: Find your way to the Supermarket! And watch all the locals laugh as you carry your extremely heavy grocery bags in the 85 degree weather.
- Italian Do: Go to Campo de Fiori, the open air market, and try water from the roman fountains! In preparation for the Chianti Classico you will drink later with dinner!
- Italian Do: Cook your first Italian dinner. (Risotto with funghi e parmesiano, zucchini and green beans! mmm!)
- Italian Don’t: Do not touch any nails you find in Rome. Apparently the bums use them for drogas! Sketch? Definitely.
- Italian Do: Eat gelato. SO GOOOD!
- The kitchen, with original tiles from the Historic Residencia Gianicolo.Homemade Funghi Risotto with Parmesiano, Zucchini and Green Beans
Homemade Funghi Risotto with Parmesiano, Zucchini and Green Beans
All in all, my first two days in Rome have been wonderful. I have already seen such beautiful art and architecture! It really is what dreams are made of. I read about this place in book after book, and even after arriving I didn’t believe it could be real. I feel so blessed to witness the living history that makes up this truly magnificent city, and look forward to the next four months of studies.
Ciao from italia,
Amelia
