Relais Al Senato Rome

... just for the fun of it, where the Bernini statue 'The Four Rivers” is placed and Borromini’s masterpiece church Sante Agnes in Agone is situated, and world famous restaurant Tre Scalini hosted Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, and Eddie Albert, is now filled with circus stalls that look like they belong on a vacant lot in Philomath, hawking the most inane of throwaway souvenirs. It’s pathetic, appalling and inspirational.

... ended up grossing me out and making me feel sick.

Yesterdays highlight by far was the intimated theatre that i watched at the imperial forum in the evening, a comedy about the life of michealangelo, in english. The 4 actors were really quite funny and i'm certain they made quite a mint from all the doantions at the end. The setting of the forum and the lovely eveing was really quite pleasent.

... many bars and clubs nearby, frequented by both Italians and students from other countries.  As many of you know, it's a little out of character for me to "go out" on school nights, but I've been enjoying exploring the city and making new friends! Anyway, on to the events of an exhaustive first week of classes. . .It turns out that I did get somewhat shafted with the rooming situation.  I went up to the third floor yesterday, and some of the rooms are much more spacious, with ...

... leave it somewhere. Perhaps the Pope believes that such knives are the work of the devil, and will surely come alive and stab him the moment they are allowed in. Or perhaps (and I think this is the answer) the Swiss Army Knife is banned because it reminds the Swiss Guard of their true roots (as highly-trained, highly-skilled super killer ninja warriors), and makes them realize that guarding the Pope is just about the most namby-pamby job in the world, and ...

... next several of nights. As I got situated in my quarters, several of other travelers just came back from touring Rome - we talked for hours about the sites to see, with their advice I mapped the next several of days of my adventures in Rome. That night (everynight) the hostel offeres free pasta to its residence - I've made better mac and cheese then that - but free food is good food, I can't complain too much. Later that evening, myself and the couple I ...

... Deegan. There are clothes lines hanging from window to window. The architecture is Venezia is amazing. It is a mixture of what you would imagine to be "Italian" with the window shutters, Grecian, and Middle Eastern. It was amazing! The water taxi dropped us off in front of the alley our hotel was down. It sounds worse than it really was. The whole city is made up of allies. I was pleasantly surprised by the Hotel Abbazia despite it's location.

... kind and dismissive as he generally seems to be. I've known him for about a year now and have never seen him get angry or blow up in anyones face. First time for everything I guess. So the german lady after *****ing for a good 5 minutes straight exclaims "you know, I am an OFFICIAL tour guide!" Our dual doctorate badass professor turned into the ****ing hulk. he turns away from her for a moment and then turns back and starts yelling at her in Italian and she starts yelling back and they ...

... the attractions we thought about seeing, but after seeing the admission fee, we just took a photo from outside the fence. Photo 4 is the street we were walking along - I think it was called Appia Antica Way. Yeh, I meant to include the chicks on the right in the photo :D After walking past nearly all the tourist sites (3kms of the road), the last one felt within reach - I really wanted to see the Aqueducts, and convinced Taka the same :) We asked a nearby policeman about how to get ...

... memorable. Beautiful Kerry who has such a generous heart, wise Pete with a gentle kindness about him, patient Dave who is so giving of his time, playful Colins eyes sparkle when he smiles which is often, Jo who reminds me so much of myself 10 years ago except that she is much smarter and Andy her father who has such a big heart. I only got to speak to his Aunt for a few minutes but hearing them fight for talking time made me giggle. Spiritual Liz who I clicked with ...

... don't know that." Ricki laughed. "Don't say that!" Ten seconds later we stopped at the entrance to the Chapel and Vatican Museum, with its sign saying "Monday to Saturday, 8.45am to 12.45pm". Stunned disbelief. Disappointment. Eventually we stomped back down the hill and tried to console ourselves with a double-scoop chocolate and chocolate chip gelati. It was yummy, but it didn't help. It was a long walk home.