Lecycas Latina

... in the vineyard right outside my window. In the middle of the vineyard is an aisle lined with rose bushes, and a stone grotto in the center. Everyone got dressed up, which was a feat, considering we had just finished a full day in Rome, literally roaming the streets (we were split into teams and given a list of over 70 things/places to find…a good old fashioned scavenger hunt J ). The evening was absolutely stunning. The ...

... look for 'una banca...Dove? Sinistra? A destra? ATM?" (I've never been so glad that I decided to take Italian...) We finally found a bank and made some hurried transactions. When we returned to our taxi, everything was loaded, but then, seeing we were good on time, took a much needed gelato break. (EEEUREKA!!) After that, we were home-free and made it to campus no problem. (I know, can you believe it?)
Right now, I come to you from my room on campus. My view out my window is ...

... were annoyed, and immediately disappeared, sharing cabs (at great expense to themselves) to go into Rome anyway. About 2/3s of them managed to go into the city and then proceeded to go and visit many of the sites that we had planned for Monday's field trip. By this time, we were doing a lousy job of hiding our irritation.

It is definitely time for a change and for something to go right.

... We totally blew that part of the move. We forgot to request lunch at Campitelli and did not ask the Institute for a picnic. Too many students skipped breakfast (despite our constant nagging not to) and could not handle starting into town to look for food at 2 pm. Sandra and I arrived to a re-enactment of "12 Angry Men" or something similar. Oh, well.

We had a nice passegiata in Frascati and got a good night's rest.

... in the old part of the village. It was so authentically Italian, but updated. It had no air conditioning, so the windows were open all night and we could hear all f the activity from the surrounding apartments - babies crying, families having dinner, watching TV, etc. Speaking of dinner, we had to adjust to the fact that no one eats dinner before 8 o'clock (that is considered early!), and my kids are normally in bed by 7:30. But ...

... But on Wednesday, my friends Mary, Abby, Maria, and I left for ROME!! It was so amazing there! We got there and had fun trying to find our hotel because, like London, it's not on a grid system like our cities are in the States. So streets go every which way which can be confusing. We eventually found our hotel though, and were amazed to see that the Colosseum was right at the end of our street! There was also a Gelateria right across the street from our hotel which was amazing! So ...

... After settling us in our room, Giovanna had a surprise of fruit, waffles and fresh juice for us, so lovely and refreshing after feeling so stale on the bus. We are welcome to join the family for breakfast in the morning before we head off to the Vatican. I had previously not held the best opinion of Rome, and whilst the streets still look a little dirty, our reception at the B&B has been so wonderful, we are excited about our stay!

... I'm sure, including a chocolate and violet massage bar and a kiwi soap! Later, walking home, we stumbled onto the peaceful Anti-War Rally by the Italian communists where there was a free music festival and lots of anti Bush banners. We didn't stick around long, but it has been a very interesting day. And so tomorrow, when we leave the city and head to Venice. I hope you will keep in touch, write me lots of messages and I will write soon. Lots of love until next time, Lisa xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

... glass, highly embellished... hard to believe his bones are really there. Lots of rude rude people taking photo's - don't do it! The basilica itself was amazing, heaps of beautiful artwork, when you look close up, all the paintings are actually mosaics, made from thousands of tiny little tiles. Halfway around, we get partitioned off behind barriers for a procession of priests to come through the church for a ...

... building in its prime. We were totally exausted though, it really is tireing just wandering about all day. i took Sio to this cool gelato place i had found earlier and we had some b-day gelato. Next morning woke up bright and early to get to the Vatican and line up before it opened, in hope that we didnt have to line up for hours and hours. to be cont....