1/22/11
Today Owen and I moved into the Centro, where we’ll be living for the next 4 months. It’s pretty close to where our hotel was…only a few minute drive and just a little longer of a walk. There were already a few people here, including my roommate, Megan. She’s extremely nice and I think we’ll get along just fine. I can’t help but be jealous of the people that got singles though! Oh well, it’ll be fine. I just have to get used to having a roommate again.
There are a lot of rules here. No alcohol or smoking in the building, and no overnight guests. So basically if anyone wants to visit, they have to find a hotel, haha. There are even fines for it. Alcohol is a 31 euro fine, smoking is 20, and guests are 86. We’re also not allowed to tape anything to the walls, and some doors are to always be closed unless there’s an emergency. Everything is in one building. The classrooms, library, and computer room are on the first floor (with a tv), and the rooms are on the 2nd and 3rd floors (I’m on the 3rd floor). The fourth floor is a classroom with a small weight set (surprising, yes), and an old school foosball table (score!). There’s also a garden, but due to the rain and the fact that all I wanted today was a bed, I haven’t found it.
The people I’ve met so far are all very nice. I’m sure everyone will be like that at this point…after all, all of us barely know each other and we’re not trying to step on any toes. I think our group dynamic will be fun though. I don’t think there will be any trouble (knock on wood). A few of us have already talked about going to see some soccer. Inter Milan would be amazing, but Milan is like 5 hours away by train. I think we’ll make a weekend of it, but it’ll take some planning! At least the Roma team is nearby if we want to see them.
Though there is fast food here (I’ve seen signs for Burger King and McDonald’s), the real fast food consists of these little pizzerias that sell pizza by the weight, so you can really get as many varieties as you want, you don’t just have to buy one slice. They’ll usually give you two and then stack them so it’s like a sandwich. Then you leave and walk around with this amazingly delicious pizza sandwich for a while. It’s a great value, and a fantastic lunch. I haven’t tried gelato yet (sorry, Lisa!) but rumor has it the best places are right by the Trevi Fountain, so I have a great excuse to get over there!
Tonight we also went out to dinner. I think one of the most amazing things about Rome is how big of a deal dinner is here, and how, unlike the states, you have to look hard for a bad place to eat. Pretty much every place you go to here will serve 3 course meals…though we don’t pay for that and only get the first course, haha. They also expect to serve you wine at every meal. Anyway, this place was one of my favorites so far. I had rigatoni al ragu (so with meat sauce), and it was incredible. You really can tell the difference between true Italian pasta and American pasta!
Everyone moves in tomorrow, and I’m super anxious to meet everyone and really start the semester. Starting to feel more real!
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