A weekend of sleep

Since I last wrote, we have finished "orientation week" and now its Sunday night. Our last two tours of the week were of the Jewish Ghetto (surprisingly interesting) and Piazza Popola and the trident that extends from it and into the city. They were great tours but our first one of the Forum and Colosseum was the best one. This might have been because of the fact that, for the last two days, my feet were blistering and I wasn't getting any sleep.

On Thursday night, as I was skypeing with my parents, my classmates and I decided to go out for ONE drink. I know now that its impossible to limit the drinking of ten people out on the town. We ended up bar hopping to four different places, and getting home at 4am. I had to wake up at 7am the next morning. Once again, completely sleep deprived. There is an area here called Campo di Fiori. Its basically a gathering area for all American students in Rome. This was where we were all Thursday night. Although it was really fun, I would like to try and find some Roman hang outs. I didn't come to Rome to party with Americans, besides my roommates and friends, of course.

Speaking of roommates, I live with 3 other girls and 6 guys. The 20 other students are on the 2 floors below us. So far, the dynamic of the 10 of us is working really well. The guys are some of the nicest, most respectful, and funny people I've ever met. Not to mention the fact that, somehow, they are all pretty gorgeous. The girls are some of my best friends from the architecture program. And on top of all that, everyone is so clean! Our kitchen is spotless most of the time. I couldn't be happier with the living situation.

On Friday, after our last tour and lecture for the week. We trudged home in the rain and got dressed to the nines for our "welcome dinner". The school arranged a traditional Italian dinner for my entire 36 person class and our 8 professors. We all got dressed up (pictures soon to come) and went to the studio for pre-dinner Proseco and then to the restaurant. It was a 4 course meal complete with wine. To speak frankly, the food could have been better, but it was a great experience with everyone in such high spirits. I was so tired that I was ready to go to bed after dinner. However! in the their usual way, my roommates convinced me to go out and we spent another night out until 2am. We then came back to the apartment and continued the party until 5am. 

Needless to say, we all slept until 3pm the next day. I had to catch up on sleep! I woke to see an hour and half of beautiful daylight and then went back to sleep again. That night, Pat's friend (and now mine), Alessio, took me out for drinks. He drove me (on his scooter!) to a little restaurant near my apartment and we had some fantastic wine. He gave me some great tips about Rome and we had a good chat at the same time. Note to Pat: Thank you! I now have a connection in Rome. He told me to call him any time. I'm sure we will be getting together a few more times before I leave.

On Saturday night, one person suggested that we stay home rather than go clubbing and everyone in the room groaned with relief. We were just waiting for someone to suggest it because we were all so burnt out.

Today is Sunday and we had one assignment for the weekend. We had to go out and find an "interesting interior space" to do a detailed drawing of. We slept in until 11am and then ventured out into the city. We went by this HUGE flea market by our apartment where I got a belt for 2 Euro (genuine leather, I'm sure) and a night light for reading without bothering my roommate. Then we crossed the Tiber and found ourselves in the middle of the more suburban area of Rome. Its actually scary how much more run down it is than the centro of the city. We went and ate a beautiful cafe in the Ghetto (proscuitto, grilled eggplant, and mozzarella on olive foccacia bread) for lunch and then began exploring the churches in the area. 

After passing through the Chiesa Nicola (took a picture for you Nikki) and its underground tavern, we settled on drawing another church near Circus Massimo and the Forum. Near Aventine Hill. We did a rough sketch for about an hour and half and then came back to the apartment and spend another 2 hours finishing the drawings. I must say though, my drawing skills are already getting better, and I could not be more happy with my work.

Anyway, we are going to search for some gelato before retiring to bed. Have a long first day of classes tomorrow and I need more than 8 hours tonight.

Love you all, hope your days are fantastic.

Ash