Veni Vidi Vici. And fast.

I've seen all of Rome.

Ok, fine. Just kidding. But not really. We've seen quite a bit, you have to admit that if you've seen any of my Facebook pictures. Impressive, I know.

P.S. Blog readers, is it okay with y'all if I don't post pictures on this one? The Internet (please excuse my French but it's totally necessary here) is about to shit a brick. I think someone put a Voo Doo curse on my computer before departure.

Wow. My heavens, I don't even know where to begin. The bus tour of Rome was amazing and magical, save for me drooling over myself at the sheer astounding beauty of this place. Major highlight: when we got to the top of the Gianocolo Hill right up the street from AUR, with jaw-dropping views of the city. It's safe to say that's when I think it hit me that I was in Rome. Being able to stand atop that hill and look around and point out "Oh wow, that's the Pantheon. And there's the Palatine Hill. Oh and that's the Victor Emmanuele Memorial. OH MY GOD THIS IS ROME."

Following the bus tour was a walking tour where we hit up the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and Campo di Fiori. (In answer to your question, yes, my feet hurt.) The ISA staff peaced out at Campo di Fiori and inside I was thinking "Time out, folks. TELL ME HOW TO GET HOME FOR GOD'S SAKE." But in all actuality, we did really well! Can you believe it?

Somehow, I'm not at all nervous about public transportation. We've vici'd buses, trams, the metro, taxis and that's not even counting the fact we all got here by plane just fine also. I am so so proud. So- a side note to all those coming to visit- worry not about transportation. I got this.

The next day began AUR orientation (in their auditorium that may fit a fifth of an LSU class- and it's their AUDITORIUM folks). Checked off the list 1. getting an Italian cell phone (details below!) 2. class schedules 3. ID cards (that we have to swipe at the walls of the school to get in-- super fancy) 4. found the computer lab and got to know the innards of the campus a little more (all of, ya' know, four buildings!) and 5. started out Permesso di Signorio stuff.

That night we all decided to go to a club by Castel St. Angelo called Maison. It's swanky and hip and very international and expensive. But SO fun. Furthermore, they're apparently 5-15 years behind in music so I actually knew the songs they were playing! HA! Think Michael Jackson (not as a memorial, but seriously), Spice Girls, that "Boots with the Fur" song from Freshman year. Yeah, nice guys.

It was a great time- we met people from Italy (of course), Germany, Australia, Scotland, Spain, the States, among others. It was basically if someone did a youth-clubbing version of the UN and added disco balls and plonked it down on the Tiber River. Nice.

The next day we were to meet AT the Colosseum AT 10 a.m. AFTER being out, well, rather late. Let's just leave it at that. But we made it! And early, no less! We had a great tour of the Colosseum, followed by the Forum. The only (and HUGE) problem was it was about noon. Needless to say, the sweat dripping off me was not such a great look. HA.

I could quite possibly go on about how amazing it was to see those places, but there are only so many synonyms for amazing in the English language. Let's just say I've dreamt of being there since I knew they existed. And I can't say much else, considering I was speechless the whole time, that's probably appropriate.

After our crazy, sweating, unbelievable morning/afternoon we went back to the apartment and I did some hardcore unpacking. I cannot tell you how mentally relaxing it is to be settled in. It just felt so right. I think it made me feel even more that this is my real life, and I'll really and truly be here until January. I cannot believe this is my life.

The next day we decided to go see the Spanish Steps. Via bus #44 to Piazza Venezia where we walked to the Colosseum, met up with Molly's friend from home, jumped on Metro Line B, swithced to Line A at Termini and then grabbing gelato (caffe and fiori di latte) right before hitting Piazza di Spagna. It was pretty crowded, but so amazing, and of course, like everything else, so surreal. Unfortunately we really needed the little girls room and even more unfortunately, had to go to McDonalds. I don't want to talk about it.

So then we set off on a big adventure to find H&M (you know, clothing we can actually afford while drooling over the Fendi, Dior, Yves St. Laurent stores surrounding us. It took a long long but wonderful while strolling down the legendary shopping area of Rome. We played in H&M (yes, I bought stuff- and stop rolling your eyes! I see you!).

Then we accidentally found Piazza del Popolo which was GORGEOUS especially since it was so unexpected. THEN we happened upon Villa Borghese which was also surprising and amazing. We found a bus that would take us to Piazza Venezia where we could connect to the 44 and the bus drove through this wonderful swanky area where we saw the garden area of Villa Borghese and the US Embassy which was also neat.

Wow. While writing this I'm realizing how long it's been since I've written and why it's taking me so long to do this. It's game time folks, this needs to happen fast.

I'm not entirely sure where this fits in, but one night we tried to go to the boys' apartment from ISA which was supposed to be about a 15 minute walk. An hour and a half, a lot of being lost, and a displeased taxi ride later, we made it to their place, met up with a bunch more people and then we all trompsed over to Campo di Fiori. I won't lie. Not great. We were in a huge group of Americans from AUR and they were all being drunks and loud and "Let's take HUMONGOUS group pictures in the middle of the square with A HUNDRED cameras and call EVEN MORE ATTENTION to ourselves." Not happy. Molly, Emily and I sneaked off to a tiny quiet bar on a side street closer to the tram and grabbed a quick birra and talked and talked until Kelly came back from the crazy group and joined us for an, ahem, quieter evening.

I was definitely not happy when I got home. I was quite aggravated with myself for not being fluent in Italian. I'll come back to this soon.

Sunday we were supposed to wake up and go to the beach with AUR kidos (Where is the beach in Rome, you ask? Yeah, I don't know either.) We were supposed to meet at the 8 Tram stop at 10:30. We woke up at 10:20. It did not happen.

Porta Portese is a market near our neighborhood that happens on Sundays and I really wanted to go, so I dragged myself out of bed and hopped on the bus down there by myself. The market was so very fun and a little sensory-overload, but totally great. At one point there was a bongo player accompanied by a sax. I honestly thought I was in the French Market or the Quarter. It was nuts.

I decided to walk home from the market (if you're curious- Google maps Porta Portese to Via Andrea Busiri Vici-- it is FAR but GREAT!) It was such a lovely walk and a lovely day. I got to take a closer look at my neighborhood (think: peeking in garden gates, noticing tiny charming architectural details on houses, getting a little lost, randomly finding the Irish Embassy, etc.).

Near school is a little park we can kinda see into so I decided to hop in there for a quick visit before making my way to the apartment.

OH MY GAWD IT WAS MIND-BLOWINGLY GORGEOUS. GO SEE PICTURES ON MY FACEBOOK. NOW. I guess it was just because I wasn't expecting it at all. It's a sculpture/fountain/walking paths/heaven complete with views of the city scape. I actually cried it was so gorgeous. It is Villa Sciarra. Swoon.

Feeling quite a perk in my step, I headed home and we found some dinner, etc. etc. etc.

Today we started classes. My first was travel writing. If heaven was a class, this would be it. I am so so so excited about it. You should be too, as my blog will be greatly enhanced considering I'll be putting some academic effort into this now.

I had a long break until Global Marketing so I made some groceries across the street and had lunch (did you notice the made the groceries thing? I'm getting oddly nostalgic about kooky New Orleans idiosyncracies).

Global Marketing was a nightmare. I haven't even taken Principles of Marketing at LSU- that's actually going to need to happen next semester. I was lost and thinking "Wow this would be completely awful to be totally lost not only in Europe but in CLASS too?" Not happening. Plus, my schedule was totally wonky and a lot of add/drop mess had to happen.

As it stands now, I'm in Travel Writing, Art of Rome (an on-site class! Swoon!), The Developing World, and... drumroll please...

A SEVEN HOUR INTENSIVE ELEMENTARY ITALIAN COURSE. It's Italian 101 AND 102 in one class. It sounds really daunting, yeah, and I was scared. But then I remember how I felt that night after Campo di Fiori and I thought "Well, hell, when in Rome, right?" So I'm taking it. I'm actually so excited.

For heavens sake that was such a long post. Hope it wasn't to neurotic but it's 1 a.m. now. Night y'all.

P.S. Please comment below! I feel like this is unrequited love. I want to know what's going on at home! Thanks in advance.

A presto,
E