Originally posted on my Tumblr travel blog, A Roman Spring with IES, in 2008.
This past week we have started an intensive course of Italian that meets in the mornings for three hours. We have been learning very basic things, such as; the alphabet, numbers, how to greet someone, simple conjugation of verbs (I and you forms), and items you would find in a bar (or a cafe in America) and a supermarket.
I absolutely love my teacher. Her name is Gitti and she is pusing 50 years old, although she only looks 30. I swear, the Romans must be doing something right to be aging the way I have seen. Anyway, she is such a blast and knows so much about Roma. On Friday, she brought us to a street market in Campo dei Fiori to complete a worksheet on fruits and vegetables. Afterwards, she took us on a tour of here favorite shops and restaurants in Rome. It was so funny because everywhere she went, she would know the shop owner and have to pop in to say hello and ask how they were doing.
I am getting a lot more comfortable with this city. I am not totally freaked out about going into a supermarket to buy groceries. I don’t feel like my wallet is going to get stolen the minute I walk onto the bus. And I am finally starting to recognize streets and landmarks so that I can walk in the right direction (mostly towards home).
Other than that, I am still trying to get to know more people here in Rome. I feel kinda isolated from everyone being in an apartment. But, I think that will pass with time (right Riley?) Anyway, I miss everyone dearly. I also hope to put up pictures of my apartment soon so that you can all get a glimpse of the Italian apartments (in Rome there are no houses, just apartments).
Until next time, Ciao!
Stephen
Photos
No dryer. This is how Romans dry their clothes. It’s not very time efficient and my clothes are like twice as big as they should be.
The very small and slow washer machine. It seriously takes 2 hours to do one load.
The bathroom. And yes, that is a bidet. No, I don’t know how to use it.
Our kitchen.
In my bedroom - My bed.
In my bedroom - My desk and closets.