Silence, Public Displays of Affection and Powdered Goodness.

Something I learned About Myself:

Sometimes, you have to be okay with silence. For those of you who know me (and if you don’t and are still reading this, you deserve an award), I am a talker.  I know, I know shocker. As someone who is so used to talking and really appreciates communication, it has been quite an adjustment getting used to the quieter moments that present themselves daily here. For example, when I am walking around (probably getting gelato for the second time that day), I can’t just call up my mom or listen to music. This has really opened my eyes to the chance to contemplate this amazing and blessed opportunity and focus on appreciating silence as an opportunity personal growth.   

The Best Thing That I Ate:

Frappe. When I say that the most delicious thing ever tastes like a sweet wonton with powdered sugar, you may be inclined to think that all my taste buds got burnt off (or I had too many glasses of red wine). I promise you, it is delicious. While we were on our tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, we learned that each Italian city makes their own special desert during ‘carnivale’, and the Roman desert is this ‘frappe’. When some friends and I passed by a bakery and saw the deliciousness we knew that we had to go back after lunch. We used hand motions and some Italian to snag some for ourselves, and being the selfless person that I am, I volunteered to hold the bag for everyone . . .It was gone within two minutes. 

                        I almost want to lick the screen.                           

An Adventure I Went On:

Trastevere. As I have gotten more comfortable with the city (still not used to the near death experience that happens every time I try to cross the street), I have started to venture into different neighborhoods. On Friday night, a big group of us went out to dinner in Trastevere, which is a neighborhood just south of where I am living in the neighborhood of Prati. I decided to venture back there on Saturday night with a few friends. What was originally going to be dinner and drinks turned into dinner and gelato. No regrets. It was beautiful at night, was buzzing with young people and is anchored by a beautiful basilica. As someone who views my car as the only acceptable means of transportation, I put on my big girl pants and rode the bus on the way there and walked home. My only regret of this adventure? Not being able to further assist the handsome chap who asked me for directions in a British accent.

 

I think that it is safe to say most of my adventures have included churches, wine/pasta and gelato. 

The Craziest/Most Interesting Thing That I Saw:

A couple macking in the middle of St. Peter’s Basilica. I’m not going to dignify this with a picture, but it was exactly what it sounded like. As I was enjoying my tour and soaking in the beauty that is the world’s largest Church, I look to my right and see a couple macking right in the middle of the Church. Now, I have learned to not let things like this get to me (especially here in Rome), but I am pretty sure that on the list of the most inappropriate places to publically display affection, St. Peter’s is right at the top along with the White House and fancy restaurants. 

Luckily there were just a few other things that could catch my eye. . .

 It has been a blessed first week and a half here, and I continue to thank God every day for this opportunity He has given me. 'Salute' to the second week of classes!