The End

MY LAST DAY IN ROME was quite memorable.  A big group of us went to a restaurant called Fellice in Testaccio, and it was the bomb!  I had ravioli and veal, and it was incredible.  I was so full when I was finished!  Really going to miss how good the food is here.

After dinner, we made our rounds at the local Rome bars for one last go around.  But that wasn't the highlight of our night.  After the bars, we went to see the monuments at night!  We went to the Victor Immanuel building, and then to the Colloseum before we cabbed it back home.  The Colloseum was awesome, it was illuminated with a burn organge glow.  The entire stadium was lit up.  The weather was perfect too, in the 60's and comfortable for the evening.  It started to rain a little bit, but not too hard, just a drizzle.  Walking down Corso Vittorio Emmanule for the last time made me realize just how much I'm going to miss this place.

We left for the airport at 7:30 in the morning, and had no problems arriving on time.  The flight was wonderful!  We had two meals, and a video console screen with the option to select our movie or show of choice.  I watched three movies, Skyfall, Taken, and Taken 2.  Little to no turbulence, it was great!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S OVER!  

After 115 days spent out of the country, and 15,626 miles travelled, I am officially done.  And so is this blog.  Arrivederci! 

JC

Final Week in Rome!

ONLY SEVEN MORE DAYS until I return to the U.S.  It's definitely bittersweet as I'm looking forward to going home, but there are some aspects of Rome that I'm really going to miss.

One of which is the food!  So I've decided that I'm going out to eat for dinner most nights.  I've entered the "Yolo Roma" phase of the trip, where I'm realizing that I'm not sure if, or when, I'll ever get back here again, and have decided to take advantage of the awesome culture and cuisine.

Which means more reasons to blog! I'm going to document dinners and restaurants during the last week here.  Here's an update from the past few nights:

Tuesday
Caprese Salad and Gnocchi with Truffle Sauce, followed by gelato for dessert.

Wednesday
Caprese Salad and Ravioli with Red Sauce at, followed by a cannoli for dessert

Friday
Pesto and Gorgonzola bruschetta, Bacon, tomato and cheese pizza, followed by a Nutella Calzone with powdered sugar at Dar Poetta.

Saturday
Caprese salad and Scampi Risotto at New Station

Sunday
Pizza with Prosciutto and Parmigiano at Pizzeria di Marmi

Monday
Started with Gelatto at Della Palma at 4 pm, (Kit Kat and Peanut butter, my favorite!)  Followed by dinner at La Scala, had a Salad and Ravioli with Truffle Sauce.  Then a cannoli for dessert.  Tasty!

Tuesday
Didn't go out for dinner, but did have two cannolis

Wednesday
At Felice in Testaccio, had Ravioli and Veal (SO GOOD!).

Check back for updates.

JC

Weekend in Corfu, Greece

I WAS NEARING THE END of my time studying abroad.  I’d broken the t-minus two week countdown until the day I was to return, May 16th.  I couldn’t believe how fast it seemed everything was going.

I’d had one last weekend to travel before I spent my last weekend in Rome to study for finals.  Figured I’d take advantage with a weekend getaway to Corfu, Greece, with one of my roommates and a buddy from Italian class.  

WE’D HAD an evening flight, and this was my first time flying RyanAir, the low fare airline that allows travelers to get around Europe not only easily, but at a cheap cost.  They don’t make their money in the amount that they charge per flight, no, instead they come up with creative ways to nickel and dime their consumers.  They charge you if your bag is too big, if you forgot to print your own boarding pass, for all food on the plane, etc.  Fortunately, being that I’ve become a much more seasoned traveler in my time over here, I wasn’t nickled nor dimed by any of these gimmicks.  

It was dark by the time we landed.  We were flying right next to some mountains, and were all of the sudden really close to the ground, but I couldn’t see a runway, just water.  Then, THUD.  We had a bumpy landing, but it was a landing nonetheless.  I wasn’t able to see the runway before we’d landed because of how small it was.  I breathed a sigh of relief, when, over the intercom came the sound of triumphant trumpets.  A woman on a recording read: “That’s another on time flight for RyanAir... Over 90 percent of RyanAir flights land on time... Beats every airline in Europe!”  A quick note on this, RyanAir lists departure time as to when the plane will actually be taking off.  However, it lists the arrival time as about 40 minutes longer than the flight will actually be.  So 90 percent of their flights landing on time is a somewhat bogus statistic.  What she should’ve been saying was 90 percent of our flights are pretty close to on time.  

We had a driver take a group of us to our hotel, where we had an included sandwich for dinner.  A relatively early night for us, we went to bed soon after arrival.  

The next day, after a pretty decent inclusive breakfast, we went to the beach. Our hotel was about a 15 minute walk down to the beach, but it was worth the walk because of how secluded the beach was.  There were just a few other people in site.  We decided to shell out the 15 euros to rent kayaks for the day.  We paddled about a mile in the ocean, which was calm that day, to a larger rock next to the island that jutted out of the sea.  There were no people within a half a mile of us when we finally arrived.  Serene and peaceful might be proper words to describe the environment out there, but those don’t capture how quiet it was.  We could only hear the faint sounding of a bird off in the distance, and the swishing of the small waves against the rocks.  The weather was perfect, 80, sunny, barely any clouds.  It was so relaxing that I put my paddle up on the shore, and just laid in my kayak for awhile (even fell asleep for a little bit, but it was okay!  Didn’t even drift too far out).  We paddled back along the coast of the island, checked out a few caves, then made our way back to return the kayaks.  A quick stop for lunch (two Greek pitas, ate them at a beach side restaurant, fantastic!) was followed by another included dinner at the hotel.  I stayed up a little later that night, but had a big day planned for tomorrow. 

For some reason, my time abroad seems to be the semester of impeccable timing.  The theme continued this week, as it turned out to be the celebration of Greek Easter in Greece.  There were two big ceremonies set that day for the celebration in downtown Corfu, and the first began at 11 A.M. 

It was the annual smashing of pots ceremony, which when we heard that, didn’t really know what to think.  We’d figured, a few kids throwing down some small little clay trinkets, maybe they’d make a popping sound or something, but nothing extravagant.  We got to downtown Corfu at about 9:30, walked around for a bit, then gathered in the square at 10:50 for this ceremony.  

YOU COULD TELL by the way people were acting that something big was about to happen.  Thousands had gathered in the main square, and everyone was staring up at people on balconies, who held medium to large sized clay pots.  We were in the first row of spectators, and I kept thinking to myself that it didn’t feel safe.  I thought a flying piece of clay pottery could easily hit somebody.  So I got out of the first row and waited under the tent of a restaurant, checking my phone frequently so I’d be ready by the time this thing got started. 

The clocks struck 11, and BOOM!  The folks started throwing the clay pots into the street.  It started as just a few, pop, pop, pop.  But then they were thrown more frequently, and harder!  Smash, bang, BANG!  Most were maybe 18 inches in height, and they just kept coming, it was raining clay pots in Greece.  But those were just warm ups, you see, they held the best stuff for last.  The second round of pots were so big (four feet high or so) that it needed several people to push them over the balcony’s edge!  Boom, BOOM!  The amount of debris on the ground made it look like you’d just survived WWIII.  The pot throwers embellished in their moment to shine.  They would start a countdown and get the whole crowd chanting in Greek, then the pots would fall, and the crowds would go crazy!  Boom, BOOM, BOOM!  “YEEEAHHH!!!” they would cheer.  It was a helluva celebration.  

And just when you thought it was over, the last remaining pots would be thrown.  You could imagine the people on the balconies, scrambling through their apartments for one last thing they could throw out there.  These were the ones that caught you off guard, because you thought the show was over.  But nope, pop, pop, SMASH!  The whole show lasted about 10 minutes, and there were so many broken pots everywhere.  The little children scrambled to grab a piece of one for a souvenir.  While it was mostly a fun event, some folks got hit in the line of fire.  I saw two women with severe gashes on their heads.  They held cloths to their heads as blood ran down their faces.  They would definitely need stitches.  I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked away unscathed, and glad that I’d moved under a tent. 

We went back to the hotel, grabbed our beach gear, and ate lunch beach side, (another Greek pita) then chilled for awhile before our next event in downtown Corfu.  Another included dinner, then we were off to see some fireworks! 

Once again, there were thousands of folks gathered.  They’d had a brief religious ceremony, then a 10 minute or so fireworks show.  It was spectacular.  We went back to our hotel, and I spent a decent portion of the night on the beach, staring up at the star covered sky.   

We had an early flight today, landed about 9:30.  There were the trumpets again, celebrating another “on time” flight for RyanAir!  Yipee.  

My travels are done.  I just need to get through finals, then hop on a plane for the 4,372 mile journey home. 

More updates to come. 

JC

Vatican Museum

THERE WASN'T MUCH LEFT on my list of things to do and see in Rome.  I'd seen just about all of the staples, and even saw the celebration for the Pope's new election.  But there was one glaring omission, the Vatican Museum, which houses the famous Sistine Chapel.

I'd had another travel free weekend in Rome, so I figured I'd take advantage.  I went with a buddy of mine from my Italian class and left for the Vatican around noon.

It's located about half a mile away from St. Peter's church.  We'd had the option of reserving tickets in advance and skipping the line (which cost extra) but decided against the pricier option.  However, many solicitors came up to us while we were waiting to try to convince us to change our minds  (even had an over/count to see how many times they'd ask us).  It took us about 45 minutes to get through the line, but we didn't mind.  Although it was a little cloudy and spitting rain every once in awhile, we managed to strike up a nice conversation with a couple from Australia while waiting in line.

There's a lot of art to see in this museum, and it is no secret to the many tourists who go there.  It was packed!  So, so unbelievably crowded, that at some points, you were left at a complete standstill.

The most notable work in the museum is the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo.  It's a series of paintings that depict biblical scenes, that are located all around the chapel on every wall, and even on the ceiling.  After awhile, it was a strain on your neck to keep looking up.  I'd even debated bringing my neck pillow for extra support, but decided against it.  When you see it in person, it's hard to believe that someone actually took the time to paint all of it.  It was pretty packed in there as well, but we stayed for almost an hour looking at the art.

They're very strict about photography (none allowed) and even speaking (you're supposed to be completely silent) in the Sistine Chapel.  They had a few security guards whose job it was to yell, every five minutes or so, "No photo, be silent!"  Quite a boring job, but also extraordinarily difficult rules to enforce because of the sheer amount of people in the chapel.  The conversation level would cycle, starting as a whisper, then working it's way up to a persistent hum,  and rise to an indoor conversation level, before the security guard would inevitably yell "SILENZIO!" which would start the conversation level cycle over again.

The other notable work is the School of Athens by Raphael, which we saw towards the end of our visit.  It depicts famous philosophers, and even features a self portrait of Raphael on the far right side of the painting.  Thankfully though, this painting is on a wall, so I didn't have to strain my neck to view it.   Once again, very cool to see.

We called it day around 4 or so to head home.  I'd been on my feet for most of the day, so it was nice to relax.

More updates to come.

JC

Buying Saline Solution in Italy

IT STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO, when I'd noticed that I could no longer read the blackboard in school.

Told the folks, quick trip to the eye doctor, and I had glasses.  I was nearsighted (meaning I couldn't see far away) but only mildly.  It was just a -1.00 prescription.

I was a little self-conscious about wearing glasses all the time in school, so I would only wear them during classes to read the board.  They would go in their case and into my backpack for most of the rest of the day.

BUT EVENTUALLY, I caved in and decided I wanted contacts.  I still remember when I walked out the eye doctor with them in my eyes.  It was like seeing in high definition for the first time.  Although learning how to, and being comfortable with, putting contacts into my eyes were a struggle at first, it is something that I no longer have to worry about.

I only brought two bottles of saline solution with me for the trip to Italy (that's the liquid you use to clean your contacts when you take them out before you go to bed, for those non-contact wearers).  But Saturday, I ran out and needed to get more.  I went to the supermarket for what I thought would be a relatively easy process.

I'D HAD A FEW OTHER THINGS that I'd needed at the grocery store, which I got first, and luckily at the last second remembered that I needed saline solution.  I looked up and down the aisles of the supermarket, but no dice, I couldn't find any.  Only some of the products are even recognizable American brands.  And the fact that the labels are in Italian didn't make things any easier.  Who knows, I may have glanced over the lens cleaning solution without even knowing.  Nonetheless, I left with just the groceries, and went to try another place.

It's a small boutique store, just about a block away from my apartment.  They have a hodge podge collection of goods there, such as toiletries (e.g. toothpaste), cleaning supplies, school supplies, and other little random trinkets.  I looked around the entire store, and again, couldn't find anything.  I figured I'd try to ask the owners.  It was two people, a man and a woman.  The woman was standing closer in proximity to me, so I gave it a shot.

"Parlo inglese?"  I asked.  She gave me a confused look and a shoulder shrug, and decided to call for reinforcements and ask the other clerk.  He followed suit, but this time with more exaggeration, extending his shoulders up and putting his hands out just above his waist, and had an even more confused look on his face.  Looked like I was out of luck.  But it turned out that there was another man in the store, who the clerk thought might speak English.  She turned to him and gave it a shot.

"Scusi, signori?" she asked.  The man turned to her, and then she pointed at me.  I spoke in English, and he indicated that he understood.  I told him what I was looking for (even fake rubbed my eye to better indicate what I needed) and he translated it to the clerks to see if they had it.  They answered back, and he told me that they didn't.  I was 0 for two.  But he did say that the Farmacia should have it, but that it closed at 5:30.  For the record, it was about 3:00 when he told me this.  I said thank you, and continued on my endeavor.

I walked down the street past my apartment to where the Farmacia was.  But it was closed, even after he said that it should've been open.  Typical Italy.  I went home for the day, and decided that I'll take another crack at it tomorrow.

SUNDAY IN ROME was beautiful! 75 and sunny, barely a cloud in the sky, and a breeze to cool you off when you needed it.  Before I tried the Farmacia, I figured maybe I oughta try to figure out what I was asking for in Italian.  I asked one of my roommates at his computer to type in what saline solution meant in Italian, and he came up with "contattare soluzione."  I repeated it to myself over and over as I walked down the street, but of course forgot what it was by the time I arrived at the store.

BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER, the Farmacia was, once again, CLOSED!  I was disappointed, so I bought a cannoli for the way home to cheer up (which it did!).

Today would be my fifth attempt at buying saline solution, and I saw a Farmacia on my way home from class (different than the one near my apartment) that I noticed was open.  I took a deep breath and walked inside.  I went to the clerks behind the counter.  "Parlo inglese?" I asked.

"Aw, no," said the clerk.  But just as I was about to leave, I remembered what contact solution meant in Italian.

"Conttatore soluzione?" I asked.

"Si!" she exclaimed.  Eureka!  She went to get the bottle, asking me if I wanted a big bottle or a small one (I went with the larger) and even understood her as she told me how much it cost.  I'd finally got my saline solution.

In the states, this would've been a one stop trip.  But here, it took three days and four separate stores to finally get what I was looking for.  If this wasn't a sign that it's nearing the time to come back home, then I'm not sure what is.

More updates later on.

JC

Field Trip to Tarquinia

I FINALLY HAVE A nice weekend to be in Rome.  I've been travelling for the past few, and it is nice to be here, particularly today, because it is SO nice outside!

Friday, I had an archaeology field trip to Tarquinia.  We looked at some old tombs at two different sites and had lunch followed by gelato.  The tombs were nice, but it was one of those trips that if you'd seen one tomb, you'd seen them all.  Not that exciting, but the weather was nice enough that I didn't care because it was so great to be outside.

More to come later on.

JC

Amalfi Coast

I'VE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE many benefits of vacationing through a travel company.

In fact, we learned it first hand when we went to Venice in February on our first trip.  The directions, simple.  Show up here, at this time, and we'll take care of the rest.  It saves a lot of stress figuring out logistics.

SO, this weekend, Scott and I decided to book our weekend trip to the Amalfi Coast through Bus2Alps, the same one we used when we went to Venice.

As expected, we showed up to the Roma Termini train station at around 7 p.m., and took our bus that got us to our hotel, Hotel Florida, at around midnight.  Straight to bed for a big day of travelling the next day.

We started off with a boat tour around the island of Capri (pronounced Kah-Pree, not Cuh-Pree).  We then got into smaller boats (more like canoes) so we could enter the Blue Grotto Caves.  The entrance to get in was very small (e.g. only five people in a boat) and we had to duck our head down to that we could fit.  The boat guides told us to get "down and in."

A little bit of an aside here.  When I was in middle school, my family and I took a week long river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon.  It was a very cool trip.  However, there were times when the Colorado River gave us a little turbulence in the boat (river rapids, for those unsure of what meant).  When the rapids would get too big, our boat crew would tell us to get "down and in," meaning get inside the boat so that you didn't fly into the Colorado.

Flashforward a decade later, and here I am again, with a boat guide, telling me to get "down and in." Well, it was for good reason, because I would've hit my head on the cave had I not ducked all the way inside the boat.  We spent a few minutes in there, and then got back to our bigger boat to continue our tour.

We were on the island for a little while, and they had a ski lift tour that would take you to the top.  I'm not the best when it comes to heights, but we went up anyway.  The views of the island were pretty spectacular, but it got pretty frigid as we ascended up the mountain.  When we got to the top, we were in the clouds, and couldn't see most of the island below.  "This must be what heaven is like," I remarked.

Back down the ski lift, back to the bus, and back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner, which for me that night was a margarita pizza and ravioli with red sauce.  Another early night, for another busy day.

The next day was our beach day on the Amalfi Coast.  We'd had good weather the day before, and Saturday was no different, about 75 and sunny.  We laid out for some of the day, and I even went in the water for a swim.  I did a little backstroke, and I had the Amalfi Coast as the backdrop.  The water was a little chilly, but the views, beautiful.

A bit of an aside here as well.  There were a lot of people on the beach that day.  I'd been on reading my book for most of the day (refresher, book on 1988 presidential election, which continues to impress) and there was a girl sitting not too far away from me who was also reading something.  We had a quick chat about our respective books.  I'd asked her about how she was liking Memoirs of a Geisha, and she said it was good.

Then she got around to asking me about mine, and I'd told her that it was a book on the 1988 presidential election.  She gave me a strange look and proceeded to say: "Oh, I'm not a history buff" (since when does reading a book about a presidential election that took place 3 years before I was born make me a history buff?!).  Nonetheless, I felt pretty old after that comment.

Continuing on, we went to the bus, back to the hotel, freshen up and out for dinner, where I had some amazing gnochhi with red sauce.

Sunday, we went to see the ruins of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.  It was a large area but very cool to see.  The plaster casts were remarkable (when the ash covered the bodies from the volcanoe, they wound up being mostly preserved, so they used this archaeological technique to see the bodies).  We arrived in Rome around seven this evening.

I'm really happy that I travelled to see so much of Italy.  So far, I've been to Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Orvieto, Umbria, and Sicily.  I think that will be all the travelling I do within the country, but it was great to see.

Not sure when the next post will be.  Check back for updates.

JC