2/15- Weekend in Roma

This weekend was cut short because John Cabot required us to have a make-up day on Friday since we get Easter Monday off.  I have to admit it was kind of nice to stay in Rome.  It has been unusually cold here the last week and a half so we didn't do much exploring this weekend.  I finally caught up with school work ( and sleep ;-)  ) while managing to have a great time.  As you all know Saturday was Valentines Day.  It was really cold but the sun was out so we thought we would try and go to the top of St. Peter's Dome.  But naturally all the love-birds were trying to do the same thing and the line was way too long.  It worked out for the better though because we stumbled upon an exhibit in one of the Vatican's side buildings.  I guess it is the 80th anniversary of Vatican City being a separate state.  The official date was Feb 11, 1929.  We went inside and were able to see many of the original drawings for Vatican City, and some cool things used by the previous Popes.  

Later I got ready for my big Valentines Day date.........With the girls!  We treated ourselves to a nice dinner in Piazza Navona.  It was the first REAL Italian dinner I have had.  We had bread and olive oil, wine, appetizer, pasta, meat, vegetables, dessert, and espresso.  These all came in different courses!  It was amazing.  Afterwards we were going to meet up with some friends at a club, but we stumbled upon a random club(while getting lost trying to find the other one).  It was different from any other club we had been to, mainly because everyone else were all Italian, and the crowd was slightly older than us.  Not many people spoke English, but all the songs they were playing were English songs.  We had the best time there.  The DJ started playing oldies songs like the Beatles and transitioned into present day music.  I just kept thinking about how much my dad would like the club LOL.

Sunday morning I got up and went to mass at the Vatican!!  No unfortunately Benny didn't say the mass, but it was still very nice.  It was in a side room(chapel) that was rather small.  The mass was all in Italian but since this is my 4th Italian mass, I am getting better at understanding.  What's really weird to me though about Italian masses here, is that none of them have given out wine.  I don't know if they think we get our fair share daily, or what, but it is kind of strange to me.  After mass was the best part.  Pope Benny was out of his window speaking to the crowd!!!  I got some pictures and video, but they have him in the highest window that you can barely see him!!  He spoke in many different languages and people brought big signs and banners like they were at a concert or something.  

I am starting to hang out more with degree-seeking students, or students that are going to John Cabot full time.  They are helping me with my Italian and are showing us around to places that the tourists don't go.  We go to lunch almost everyday at a place called Insalata Ricca.  It has about 40 different types of salads and about 20 types of pastas along with soups and meats.  They have the best focaccia bread and the wine isn't bad either lol.  Being around them is really helping my Italian because even though I can't join in the conversations too much, I am improving my listening skills!

This upcoming weekend we are going to Barcelona, Spain for Carnevale which is like Martigras.  Along with Barcelona we are going to a beach town called Sitches.  I am looking forward to eating some tappas and seeing the ocean!!  We bought masks and everything for Carnevale.  I am sure we will have a great time.

PS I just recently put up some new pictures from Tivoli, Milan, and Lake Como