Gelato Journal

The best thing about Rome is that no matter where I am going, I stumble upon ancient monuments and beautiful architecture. I'm on sensory overload a bit with all Rome has to offer. Monday, I went to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Both, especially the fountain, were incredible. The area was a little touristy, with street vendors selling little toys and flowers (someone from our group got "shot" with a bubble gun) and restaurants with names like "That's Amore". After snapping about 50 million pictures of the fountain, we all went to dinner. I forget the name of the restaurant, but it was sooo good. Italians generally eat three courses for dinner (pasta, meat, and a side) so when we tried to order only two, we were forced into a third. The pasta pesto, mixed salad, house red wine, and grilled chicken sound basic enough, but they were 10 times better than any of those back home. Dinner was especially nice because we did not feel rushed. Where in America, the waiter will give you the bill as soon as your meal comes, thus ushering you out of the restaurant, in Italy, you have to ask for the bill and dinner usually takes about 3 hours. After dinner, a group of us started walking back to our apartment, but got lost for 3 hours. At least there were a lot of pretty buildings to look at along the way. It is very easy to get lost in Rome because a) The street signs are hard to find (they are on the buildings, if that) and b) I get lost everywhere.
Orientation meetings have been going on all week. They mostly consist of people talking at us about people getting robbed or raped, but I still feel pretty safe, as long as I'm with someone and have a death grip on my purse.
Yesterday I went to the Pantheon. Ancient. Incredible. Lots of pictures.
Today I took a bus tour paid for by Notre Dame. Jet lag started to kick in on this tour and I nodded off a little, but I got to see a lot of Rome and it was ancient, incredible, and I took lots of pictures.
I have had gelato every day. I'm going to keep a gelato journal so I can write down the flavors I've tried to make sure I sample every one of them. So far I've had melon, strawberry, pineapple, creme, chocolate, tiramisu, and white chocolate. Each has been a taste sensation. Everything is a sensory sensation. Despite eating a ton of gelato, I don't think I'll be gaining any weight, as I'm constantly dehydrated, never hungry, and we walk about 50 miles a day.
Today I finally got to do a little shopping (I've been staring longingly at stores as we pass their windows on mandatory orientation journeys). Things are not as expensive as I would have thought and the clothes are very cute. All the designers have stores around the Spanish Steps, so there's some good window shopping. Customer service is not the same as it is in America. People who work in stores don't greet you or help you out unless you ask them and the stores are a lot smaller.
Some other things I've noticed about Rome:
Lots of people have dogs. Dogs poop everywhere, so you gotta watch your step.
Beggars are much more theatrical. There is a little boy I've seen who stand near the Vatican and plays the violin and a woman who cries and wails. It's very sad and much more dramatic.
Women get really dressed up and wear heels. I do not know how this is possible on cobblestone streets.
I will always be recognized as an American tourist, no matter what I'm wearing.
Cars and mopeds won't run over you, but they will come close enough to give you a heart attack and kill you.
There are lots of lingerie stores.
Most places close at 1 and maybe re-open around 3. America needs national nap time.


That's it for now! Ciao!