Food and Family

 YumYumYum

 Finally found a bagel (whole wheat) and the cream cheese here is delicious and tastes totally different in a better way!

 We found this at panini joint.

 Who gets to decide on the toppings!

 As if they didn't have enough class already, they were selling boxed wine.

 So my dad came to visit me on his last day in Rome. He was here on business. Friday was a gorgeous 65 degrees! I met him for lunch and he was gracious enough to let me eat off his plate, which was so yummy! Lots of fish and some amazing cheese that was stuffed with pistachios. Mmmm. After that I showed him the apartment, the area, some of the cooler churches and monuments, and the John Cabot "campus." It was really nice to share everything with him. We then walked around some more and sat down to eat at a cute restaurant next to the French embassy. We had some of the most amazing mozzarella that I have ever had, along with awesome olives and some lentil soupy stuff. We then had a nice bottle of wine and some homemade, osogood, pasta dishes that were loaded with veggies and seafood. After this I had rabbit and pops ordered lobster. It was comical because they sat us in a room with all english speakers versus the back of the restaurant where all of the italians were dining. We decided to walk around and get gelato for dessert (he had never had it in italy- sacrilege!) Then we returned to my apartment and he got to meet the crazy group of pre-gaming twenty year olds that were hanging out at our place before they went out. All in all it was a great day and I am so glad that I was able to see him. <3

Hope everyone is doing well!

Class Field Trip Take Two

Our class was supposed to meet at this church which is on other side of the world. It was pouring rain and we got lost multiple times but we finally made it. 

Welcome to San Giovanni in Laterano. This church is on of the few that was dedicated solely to Jesus Christ. It was taken over for religious purposes by Constantine in 318. Since it has been rebuilt three times due to barbarian invasions, earthquakes, and fires it has layers. There are pieces from every era, which is fascinating (this will be revisited when I talk about the St. Clemente basilica). On the outside of the church there is an ancient inscription that reads "SACROSANCTA LATERANENSIS ECCLESIA OMNIUM URBIS ET ORBIS ECCLESIARUM MATER ET CAPUT"- "The Most Holy Lateran Church, Mother and Mistress of all churches of the city and the World" It was established to be the most ornate, and holy church in the world (Constantine's gift to God). The popes would reside here until 1300's when they moved to Avignon. 

                                      

 This is the ceiling, which goes on forever and is magnificent.

 This is the other location where many speculate that St. Peter and St. Pauls remains are.

 Behind/Incorporated into this painting is supposedly a piece of wood from the actual last supper.

 The obelisk is outside of the church in the piazza. It is the oldest in Rome, dating back to 1400 B.C. It is obviously from Egypt, and it is pretty safe to say that it was not a gift. I cannot believe that this thing is still standing.

 Across from the church there is a smaller building that is quite quaint. Jesus went to Jerusalem, to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate once when he was imprisoned and once when he was crucified. Therefore he would have walked these sacred steps twice in his lifetime. As a gift to Constantine and to the church Constantine's wife (Helena) actually tracked down these stairs in Jerusalem, had them cut out and transported here to Rome. They covered the stairs in wood paneling so that they would not wear away. Now there are 28 stairs and you must not walk up or down the stairs, in fact you must go up the stairs on your knees and say a prayer on each one. It was fascinating to see all of the people lost in thought as they hobbled up these stairs on their knees. Fun Fact: In 1817 Pope Pius X granted everyone that ascended these stairs an indulgence for nine years per step.

 Now across the way from San Giovanni is another little church that is extremely old. Within this church is the first baptismal font. The church (which is in really good shape) and the font date back to 315.

 This is the a mosaic within the Narthex. It was on the ceiling and I loved the little guy hiding out in the pattern.

 This is the remains of what were frescas.

 This is the ceiling in the chapel, beautiful carved wood.

 Within every medieval church you will find a garden. They were built to represent the continuation of life. They are symbolic in that they are the connection between heaven and earth. There will always be some representation of animals and here there were little goldfish swimming in the fountain.

 This is an ancient fresco of the mother with child. It is one of the only ones in the world that is still nicely intact and it is quite special. You can tell that it was medieval due to the flatness and the colors.

All in all it was a great class trip.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentines Day to all

It is a Beautiful day here in Rome with the bluest of skies. 

I hope that everyone has a magical day surrounded by those that love them. 

Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’ Angelo was originally a tomb that was converted into a castle in the 14^th century by Pope Nicholas III. 

 They used the Sant’ Angelo as a fortress, to attack enemies from. They also used it as a prison.

 He connected the castle to St. Peter’s by building a really cool bridge.

Throughout the castle there are tons of references to St. Michael the Archangel. At the top of the castle there is a statue of him, winged, with a sword and scale. His wings represent swiftness, his sword means authority, and his scale weighs the integrity of humanity. He is actually a symbol that is accepted by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. 

The structure itself was really awesome. There were holes carved out everywhere for soldiers to shoot enemies. There were lookouts and cannons around every corner. This this was seemingly impossible to ambush or conquer. The inside of the castle was gorgeous. Of course there were no pictures allowed. The ceilings and the fireplaces were really spectacular. There was so much detail and gold on everything and every room had a wooden crest mounted on the ceiling. The castle was very large and you wind around four times before getting to what you think is the top. At that point we realized that a tiny ladder allowed us to go up onto the roof. From there we saw the most breathtaking view of Rome. We were able to see everything, every monument we had learned about, our home, our school. It was really amazing and we got onto the roof at around 4, so the sun was creating a glow around the city. You look down and see the Tiber water, with its blue grey color and cant help but feel humble. Pictures cannot do it justice. This is a touristy spot but the view makes it worth the price of admission. It was truly an experience seeing Rome from that angle.

Pictures from the Florence Trip

 The side of the Duomo

 A crew boat launch!! There were little Italian rowers (8th grade) playing soccer in the field next to this!

 The love locks.

 Dante, Machiavelli,  Michelangelo's tombs

 This is for you pops!

 Machiavelli is inside!

 Tomato soup that was to die for.

 Leather stand.

 WAFFLE!

 Duomo tower.

 Little guy filled with hate mail (there was more on the back).

St. Francis of Assisi's actual coat!!

Firenze

Florence is full of charm and romance and we had a great trip, however, I am so happy that I chose to study in Rome! Florence is smaller, there is not as much hustle and bustle and I would say that about 50 percent of the people walking around are study abroad students or tourists, so you do not get the real Italian feel. It was a lot more expensive (a lot!) and once you saw everything it was a little monotonous. But it was fun to visit nonetheless!

We boarded the train and took off, sailing through the Tuscan countryside, which is really spectacular (even in the winter!).  The mountains were really pretty and the snow on top made it look like a fairytale. Most of the group slept or did homework. When we got to Florence we headed straight for the hostel. This was everyone’s first hostel experience so we were all anxious! We were really surprised when we got there; it was not bad at all. We got a room with seven beds and that’s what it was. A room with an armoire and seven beds crammed together. A boy slightly older than us owned it. There were three bathrooms, which was good because there were a lot of other visitors in the hostel as well. We met a Guatemalan, an Ecuadorian, and some other guy who spoke French. We also met a bunch of girls studying at John Cabot. It was pretty cool but they were hardcore partiers and we were there to see the sights.

We saw the Duomo, which was fabulous but kind of anti- climatic. The outside is just so awesome that the inside is rather dull in comparison. I could sit and examine the detail on the outside for hours and not get bored. Everyone climbed to the top but I had to hang back because of my knee injury, it was apparently an awesome view! We then saw Santa Croce, where Dante, Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried. I am a huge fan of Machiavelli’s so I really appreciated seeing his tomb (although it was not as elaborate as Dante and Michelangelo’s).

We walked through the leather markets (Maile and Kelsey each got a bag) and tried to avoid the creepy Italian men. Maile was not as fortunate as I was (I think I give off a mean vibe) and this one guy would not leave her alone. In the end it was advantageous because she got a great price on her bag but he was a real creeper… At one point he (a 50 year old man) said he would lower the price even more if she kissed him! AH! (she obviously didn’t do it).

At nighttime we wandered the city and visited Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. They were both awesome at night. I really wanted a cannoli so we stopped into a bakery and I started talking with the guy behind the register. He informed me that there was going to be a live jazz concert upstairs in the next ten min. and offered to take us up. We went upstairs and found a cozy booth. Three men took the stage and started jamming. One guy was on the drums, one was playing the clarinet and the third was playing both the piano and the bass (each hand was playing a different instrument). It was so much fun listening to them, especially the man playing the clarinet!

After our we got our musical fix we headed to the hostel and the boys went to sleep while Maile and I decided to go out with the other kids in the hostel (they were WILD). We went to Sparkle, a discoteca and had an interesting experience… But overall it was fun.

The next day we explored some more. It was rainy and cold so we couldn’t make it to Michelangelo’s piazza. We saw all of the gold vendors on the Ponte Vechio but I was more taken with the bridge itself. Its stunning and soooo old, yet still functioning. It was especially awesome at night. Near the bridge there is a chain link fence that is covered in locks. The myth is that two people that are in love buy a locket, lock it onto the chain, and then while holding hands throw the key into the river and they will be together forever. Awww. We also went into Dante’s church and saw Beatice’s tomb. She was the only woman that Dante ever felt affection for and next to her grave there are baskets full of letters from individuals asking for help with their love lives.

We also passed a fun bath and body works type store and there was this little guy that was filled with stickers that had obscene things on it. When we asked about him the young lady in the store explained that people come and write things about their ex- boyfriends, to vent. It was quite entertaining.

We went into a torture museum that was a waste of money. We learned abut the plague and hangings during medieval times.

We ate delicious waffles that vendors sell all of Florence. Yum! For dinner I had the most delicious tomato soup! Mmm it tasted so fresh and the chunks of tomato were lovely!

If you have the opportunity to go to Florence I would recommend it, especially if you like art. However, if you are decided over Florence or Rome pick Rome and if you are deciding between Venice and Florence, pick Venice.