Sorry, no pictures, they disappeared from my camera!
June 27th-28th
After a long week of touring, we decided to get out of the city for a day, and go to the beach. It took a while to get us all gathered together (there were 14 of us going) but we finally left. It was a bit tricky figuring out the Metro system at the main train station, and we even had to transfer once, but we made it to the Mediterranean. We went to the city of Ostia, which was only about an hour's metro ride from the city. It was perfect weather. I was surprised, though, when we got to the beach edge, and found gates! Every foot of the sea's edge was private property, owned by resorts and clubs. We ended up paying 10 euros at the place we went, which is the cheapest you can find. Thankfully, it also turned out to be one of the nicest places in that area (I'm not sure how that works out). We spent the day jumping in the waves (the water was cool, and very salty) and lying on our lounge chairs reading good books (or Dante).
On our way back into town, we stopped in Ostia Antica, which is supposed to have ruins that rival Pompeii. However, the place was closed, so we just walked around the town. At the center was this old castle (which didn't look open to the public), and right next to it was a church. I don't know if it was National Day of Weddings in Italy or something, but the church had four wedding groups outside of it taking pictures. It was a pretty nice church (and there was a castle next door) but it was still confusing...
As for Sunday, I went on my own little exploration of Rome outside the walls. I was actually looking for an LDS church, but it was so far out of the city, it wasn't on any of the maps I had. I only had a street address and general directions to it, but apparently that wasn't good enough. I just kept getting on bus after bus (I would get off when the bus started going the wrong way). I actually got pretty close to it, then bought a bigger map and walked the rest of the way there. It was a pretty small building, but it was full. I guess I looked Italian or something, because no one gave me the English-translation headphones for the first talk. It was quite different, and yet the people acted so similarly to people in the US. For example, I had two little brothers sitting in front of me, and the older one kept sprinkling cracker crumbs in his younger brother's hair (I don't think he ever figured it out). I'm going to be out of town for many of the next weekends, so I'm glad I got to experience the church in Rome at least once. After an eventful hour long bus ride back into the city, I spent the rest of the day finishing homework (it was just drawing - not that bad) but it still wasn't the most relaxing of days. I can't wait to see what this week has to offer!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Just a day at the beach
2 commentsPosted by Kellie Horrocks at 1:25 PM
A Week of Tours
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Pictures:
#1: First view of the Colosseum (I still need to see that thing...) behind the Roman Forum.
#2: Ponte Giribaldi
#3: Castello Sant' Angelo from across Bernini's Ponte Sant' Angelo.
#4: St. Peter's from Castello.
#5: St. Peter's Square
#6: In the Basilica, at the end of the nave. (for scale, that bronze altar thing in the middle is 7 stories tall)
#7: Sunlight coming in through one of the many domes.
June 23rd - June 26th
I was going to write a few notes this week, but I'll just do one long one to sum up. I has been pretty crazy, finding time to explore this beautiful city, while going on class tours every morning, going to class every afternoon, reading Dante's Inferno, and trying to get on a normal sleeping schedule. We had two tours with a professor from Virginia, Katherine Rinne, on the waters of Rome. We followed the ancient aqueducts to the fountains they supply, and learned all about their designs. I'll tell you about it sometime. She was a great guide and knew a lot, but kept it interesting. Our other tour guide was Jeffrey Blanchard, a historian who lives in Rome. He was less apt at keeping it interesting. We liked to think that he knew everything there is to know about the city of Rome. We could ask him any random question, and he could write a book about it. We saw many interesting things on his tours, but he sure liked to talk (and it is starting to get pretty hot here).
On one of Jeffrey's tours we went to the other side of the river to see Castello Sant' Angelo and Vatican City. It was so amazing! The Castello was just like any other castle, and yet it is so close to the heart of the city. Serving as the hideout for the Pope during Rome's many sacks, it also has some pretty nicely decorated rooms. The best part, though, was the rooftop. It gave the best views of the city, and St. Peter's especially, that I've seen so far. I didn't want to leave, but we had to go to St. Peter's next. After a drawn-out lecture on the Basilica's history in the middle of the Square, we stood in line to get into the church. Mind you, it was the middle of the day, in direct sunlight, and we waited in line for 45 minutes. It felt like the line wasn't even moving. By the time we finally got inside, it felt wonderful. Wow is this place showy. Huge doesn't even begin to describe it (the bronze Baldaccino altar in the middle of the crossing is 7 stories tall) as it is the biggest church in the world. There was so much to see, I didn't know where to begin. And the materiality of the space was overwhelming. We stopped for a while to watch them replace a piece of marble in the floor, and it was quite the process. I will definitely have to go back and see it, especially because I have not been to the top yet! (and it's the Sears tower of Rome - you have to go to the top).
Other than tours, I've just been trying to spend as much time around the city as I can. I'm slowly gaining my bearings of the winding, narrow streets, and one of these days I will be able to leave the house without taking a map in my bag - but we'll give it a few days. A big group of us went out for our first pizza on Wednesday, and it was so delicious. I got a Margherita pizza, which is just cheese and tomatoes. When they bring it out, it is an entire pizza, just for you. It is not that difficult to eat the whole thing, though, because the crust is so thin. Then, of course, we went out for gelato, and I'd have to say I haven't had a bad one yet. Tutto bene!
Posted by Kellie Horrocks at 12:34 PM
Friday, June 26, 2009
The first day
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June 22nd
After arriving at my apartment on Sunday, my first priority was sleep, and I got a good 4 hours. At this point, it was 8:00 pm (11:00 am PST) and I was starting to adjust, although my body had no idea what time it was. That night, I didn't go to bed until 2:30, and then, Surprise! I woke up at 6:30, wide awake. Never fear, I looked on the positive side of things and decided to do a bit of exploring (map in hand) before most people were even thinking of waking up. I went straight to the river (the Campo de' Fiori, where our apartment is located, is about 3 blocks from the Tiber) and went on the search for St. Peter's. I knew you could see it from the river, I just had to find the right bridge. I walked up and down the river (both on the upper level, and down at the river edge) and crossing the Ponte Giribaldi, I got my view. It looked beautiful in the early morning light. Taking a few more pictures, (I don't think there is a single ugly place in this city) I headed back to the Campo, where I made my first (of many, I'm sure) stop at the daily outdoor market.
After the solo adventure, a large group of my fellow Oregonians went out on a tour of the major hot spots: The Pantheon, The Trevi Fountain, and The Spanish Steps. It was still morning, so these spots are not as crowded as later in the day. We consulted our maps many times, but winding through the narrow streets, we came upon the back side of the Pantheon. Mind you, it only took us about 10 minutes to walk there: amazing! I knew what it was (because it is so huge, and so old -> 27 BC) but I realized I had never seen an image of the back before. Then we came around the front, admired the HUGE columns (made of one piece of stone) and beautiful fountain in the piazza, then stepped inside. It was so beautiful, it seemed like a painting. There is no way this could be real! Despite the single light source: the overhead oculus, it was just bright enough to see and explore. However, it was nicely shaded and we kept thinking this would be a good place to come back again and again.
From there, we set out for the Trevi, and once again, it sprang up out of nowhere. I walked around the edge of the building, and all I could say was, "Wow." It was also quite a surreal experience. We went down to the water's edge, where a local taught us how to correctly toss a coin into the fountain. It includes throwing a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, while you wish to return to Rome. I figure if I do this frequently enough during my visit here, I will surely come back again and again.
The Spanish Steps were not quite as exciting, but when we went all the way to the top (I ran the last few for the "Rocky" experience) we had a tremendous view of the city. On our way down, we stopped on the steps and sat for a while in the shade. I think this is the beauty of this place. It acts as a place for people to gather and just relax, and, of course, watch other people.
Heading back to the Campo after our morning adventure, we stopped by a well-reviewed gelateria (for my first official gelato). Sooo good! I'm vowing to eat this every day. It might add up quickly, though. That afternoon we had our orientation, which was uneventful, as orientations always are, but that night, I had my first official Italian dinner. The guy who owns our apartments treated us to dinner out in the Campo in his cafe. He went all-out with a full course meal, including gelato at the end (that's #2 for today). If I eat like this everyday, I don't think I'll be able to fit in my airplane seat on my way home.
Pics:
#1: First view of St. Peter's! For those who know my laptop's desktop image, this may look familiar.
#2: Brace yourself: it's the inside of the Pantheon (I promise it's real)
#3: Tossing a coin into the Trevi, because I'm coming back!
#4: Hanging out on the Spanish Steps
#5: Dinner on the Campo
Posted by Kellie Horrocks at 4:32 AM
Where the sun never sets
3 comments
June 21st
I've entered the special world of the international flight. There are so many things that I didn't expect, and things that I did expect never happened, if that makes since. After a hectic dash through Portland airport (apparently everyone in the city decided to fly on June 20th) I found my window seat on my Delta flight to Amsterdam. I was worried about sitting for nine hours straight, but it wasn't a problem with two movies and a book to read. I only got up twice the entire time (for the necessities). What I didn't expect, however, was the fact that when I landed in Europe, it would be in the future. Because you see, they are NINE time zones ahead of Oregon. So on the plane, at about 6:00 pm Oregon time, the sun was starting to set, but it never did! It just rose again! Pysch! So poor little Kellie is expecting to go to sleep, and the flight attendants start serving breakfast! I was thoroughly thrown off. I ended up getting one measly hour of sleep on the first leg, then slept the entire two hours to Rome. I don't know how I am going to adjust to this time zone.
Pics:
1: Flying over Canada's frozen seas (in Quebec?).
2: The almost-sunset.
3: Flying into Amsterdam, the first sight of land in hours! (darn clouds) Not to mention, the first sight of Europe!
(NOTE: the guy next to me was from Amsterdam, and he asked me if this was my first time to Europe. When I said it was, he forgave me for how many pictures I was taking.)
Posted by Kellie Horrocks at 4:27 AM
Friday, June 19, 2009
One Day Left!
3 commentsAs I am leaving the United States in just one day (yikes!) I would like to ask one thing: any last minute advice? It's amazing how fast the last month has gone by. Well, not really that amazing when you factor in studio, working, moving, family time, and spending time with friends who are moving away :(. But alas, the time has come (the walrus said) and I am leaving whether I am ready or not (and yet I probably never could be ready). I am in a constant struggle between Oh my goodness! I am going to Rome! and Oh my goodness... I am going to Rome? I have spent today getting those most important accouterments like an eye mask. After all, I can't miss out on the effective afternoon siesta. Not to mention, I also finally bought my Eurail pass, which puts Europe at my fingertips with just one large expense. The idea of taking trips every weekend both thrills and overwhelms me, as it is unlike anything I have ever done, but I definitely look forward to the experience. As long as it doesn't involve stolen backpacks or missing trains. We'll have to see.
Posted by Kellie Horrocks at 12:45 AM