New find for helpful hints

Most of the class will only be staying in Rome for the two weeks scheduled through the school. From what I understand, one other classmate and myself will be extending our trips. During the first two weeks, most of the details of travel, admission etc will be arranged by the instructors; where it is not, they will be available for advice at the very least. But I am arranging my own travel for the additional 6 days I am staying in Italy and I wanted to be prepared  for things like booking a ticket for the train. I am also arriving later than everyone else on the first day there, so I have been looking for the cheapest/easiest means of transportation form the airport to the hotel. Getting the shuttle for a single person would cost something like 60 euro! Ouch!

Anyway, in my research I ran across this incredibly helpful site. It offers a detailed description of, for example, how to use the ticket kiosks for the bus/metro system with step-by-step with photos. There is an extensive section on travel, including one on how to navigate the airport where we will arrive. There are also guides for food, entertainment, grocery shopping, events, views, packing ... even public restrooms! All of which seems very practical and thorough.

Just thought I should share! Hope you find this helpful! roninrome.com

Already late / Firsts

So at our last class meeting, after mentioning how I blog so regularly Dr. Weber asked me to post 4 days after Ana, getting the ball rolling with the rotating schedule. Of course, that means that I lose track of time and post late! Lol.Well, better late than never.

So, my question for the group to blog about is "What firsts will this trip mean for you?"

  This is the first time I will be traveling outside of the Texas/Mexico. While I have always dreamed of traveling, I have not done much of it up until now. It will not be my first time on an airplane, because I have made one, hour-long  flight from Harlingen to Houston, but it will of course be my first long flight. I will be riding on a subway/train for the first time as well, and may even end up taking my first ride in a taxi.


I am also curious if anyone else has been doing much study of the Italian language. I have posted about my attempts here and have practiced a little with Dr. Weber but I would love to practice with any classmates who are interested as well.

Getting to know you

The class has been challenged to begin blogging more regularly (not too much of a problem for me) and the latest challenge is sharing more about ourselves so we can get to know each other better.

A quick rundown about me is on order I guess. I am 30, I live in Harlingen and have been taking all of my UTEP classes online. Going into my senior year this fall and eager to graduate. I took a "semester off" that turned into 8 years, so I am glad to be back and nearing completion although I won't be done with school for quite a while since I am aiming for grad school. I am looking at getting my masters in Cultural Anthropology.

 I'm an artist and a lit/history nerd, so this trip is more perfect for me than I could have ever imagined. We will get to see some of the greatest relics of antiquity and the art of the masters, how cool is that? Plus, I will be taking a sketch pad and camera with me so that I can capture my own inspiration and create some art of my own.

 I work as a driver for an older gentleman who can no longer drive but still likes to be active. Get out 5-ish (4 El Paso time) so I will either see if he can go home a bit early that week or I'll join the class a tiny bit late. It is a pretty cool job because when I am not needed, I can work on school ... or my blog.

Not sure who my roommates will be so I will warn them ... I am not much of a morning person. I have to get up early for my job but I don't like it much and am not fully human until the coffee kicks in. :D


I guess that's it for now. Anything else you want to know, just ask!

Buon giornata!

Blog about blogging

Today in our meeting, my classmates were talking about the assigned blogs ... wondering what there was to talk about when we are simply going through our regular lives, doing what we normally do until we leave for Rome.

Dr. Weber said that the anticipation is part of the experience and you know what popped into my mind?

"I see you shiver with antici... .............................................
............................. pation."


If you have never seen Rocky Horror Picture Show, then you might not get it. I am not just a weirdo posting a picture of Tim Curry in drag for no reason.

I swear.

Really.

Okay, I am kinda weird. I admit it. But still ... it's supposed to be funny.

Bike riding down the Appian Way

I was thumbing through my copy of "Top 10: Rome" and one of the recommendations was a bike tour of the Appian Way on a Sunday. You can rent a mountain bike and helmet (to deal with the cobblestones).

"One day a week, part of the old Via Appia Antica is closed to all traffic except tour buses, making it perfect for a bucolic bike ride, or a very long walk if you want to cover it all. Lined with pines and cypresses, this is where the ancient Romans came to bury their dead, and many tombs still remain along the roadside."

Sounds like something I would love to do. The book also says that there are inexpensive 4-hour bike tours of the city available as well.

Italian phrase(s) of the day:

I said that I would start sharing some useful phrases in Italian as I learned them. This one seems appropriate.

 Vorrei noleggiare una bicicletta. Quanto costa?
I would like to rent a bicycle. How much is it?


Of course you could also say you wanted to rent a car with the same basic phrase ... "Vorrei noleggiare una macchina."


  If you need to find your way there, you can ask someone ...


"Mi scusi. Puoi dirmi come arrivare alla Via Appia in bicicletta?"
Excuse me. Can you tell me how to get to the Via Appia by bicycle?

 You might also ask ...


Puoi mostrarmi sulla mappa?
Can you show me on the map?

 A few more important things ... someone might answer:

Giri alla sinistra = turn left
Giri alla destra = turn right
Sulla destra = on the right

giri l'angolo = turn the corner
dritto = straight

di fronte a  = in front of/opposite
accanto a = beside/next to


Italian is not always similar to Spanish and when it is it is not always pronounced the same way. So for those of you familiar or fluent, I am told that you can sometimes use the Spanish word for something if you are stuck and they might understand BUT if you want to at least familiarize yourself with the basics of vocabulary and pronunciation, you might like: Earworms Rapid Italian and the My Daily Phrase Italian podcast from Radio Lingua. Message me and I can help you find them.
 

Una pasta perfetta e altre cose

Ciao il mio compagni di classe,

Il professor Weber ci ha chiesto di parlare della pasta perfetta.

Pasta is one of the most perfect foods I can imagine. It is simple, typically made with only a few ingredients, and gloriously complex, coming in a myriad of shapes and sizes. It is easy to prepare and works with a wide range of accompaniments. It is good hot and cold, in rich, creamy decadent dishes and light, fresh ones. Obviously, I am a fan.


I love orzo, penne, tagliatelle, linguini, rotini, tortellini and so many more. Two caveats however, are that the pasta must be cooked properly ... "al dente" (nothing worse than mushy pasta) and it is infinitely better if it is fresh. The best pasta dish I can think of at the moment is one that my friend Abii made (she is an amazing cook). It was fresh tortellini (with several cheeses) with asparagus, fresh tomato, lemon and pine nuts. So delicious!

As you can see I am practicing my Italian quite a bit too. I think that I will try to start posting interesting phrases we might need to know as I learn them. As good a blog topic as any I guess. Also, I participated in an art show and met several new people. A new friend and photographer, Ileana, lived in Rome for 9 months and is excited to teach me what she knows about the area. She even stayed in the area where we will be staying. Another local artists is also going on a study abroad trip in June to Italy ... she will be in Florence while we are in Rome. Pretty cool.

Also, I found a copy of Top 10 Rome in the used bookstore. Has a pull out map, which would be nice for walking around in Rome. It also has lists of things like the top 10 places for gelato (which I have been told is fabulous there!) top 10 streets for shopping, top 10 cultural festivals etc. Looks pretty cool.

Buona giornata,
(Have a good day)

Jamie