Love-Hate Relationship

Alright. I am just going to be real with you. I am struggling. Do not get me wrong, I am fully enjoying the experiences I have had, but to be honest I am getting a little homesick. It is not that I miss my family or friends (because I can talk to them easily via the internet) but I miss the comfort and familiarity of home. I just need to remember that is why I decided to come here. I felt that in order for me to grow as a person I had to challenge myself. I cannot waste my time feeling homesick, because before I know it I will be back in the States. In the beginning of this trip I was just accepting the fact that people would stare at me when I worked out (ran) or that all Italians are just in a rush and need to get by you as quickly as possible. Well, I am getting kind of sick of it. I just want to yell "stop staring!" or "it will take you less time to walk around me than push me over to the point where I fall to the ground!". Yes, you heard me, I want to say that exact long statement everytime... As you can see I am getting a little agitated. Right now I have a love-hate relationship with Italy. To add to the stress my credit/debit cards randomly stop working here so currently I have 2 euros to my name. The perfect amount for un due coppa of gelato. I might just go get some and take a breather! It is sickly hot here, so for real, im considering this gelato...

Please do not get the idea that I think I'm living a "hard life", it is just that I am facing cultural challenges I was not expecting. I am finding, however, that I have begun to take on the attitude of someone who is more than just a tourist. I know my way around the city (for the most part) and I breeze through the metro as others have their maps out. I even have helped a few people with directions!

Anyway, now that I just vented I should tell you all that I did this past week. Wow. What an unbelievable week. Last Thursday with my Italian Media class we got to go beyond the Swiss Guards into the depths of Vatican City! On our way over there we walked through the set of a new GEORGE CLOONEY movie. Sadly he was not there but we got to watch a few scenes with other actors. Only in Roma. Anyway, our teacher has so many connections it is ridiculous. So we approached the gate and Sean (our teacher) flashed his Vatican employee badge (along with all of our passports) and they simply moved over. As I walked through the gates I stopped and looked back at all the other people that are not allowed in. I am so blessed to be given these privileges and see things that not many people get to experience.

Vatican City is considered its own state/country and after seeing it all they are so correct. They have their own post office, train station, radio station, supermarket, shopping center and even their own water system. So inside we got to walk around on the streets and up to the radio station tower. Most beautiful view of Rome. We got to see all of Rome from inside the Vatican and the back side of the Basilica (picture). Barely anyone gets to see that! Afterward we walked around a bit more and ended up in this garden area where the Pope takes his daily walk. He goes there every single day at 5pm and walks around and sits on the benches.

Needless to say I sat almost

every bench, just so I could say I sat where the

Pope sat... Later that day we all met up again and met with the Pope's spokesman, Father Lombardi (picture, he is in the middle). We were expecting, at most a 45 minute conversation but he talked with us for almost 2 hours. We all asked questions and he welcomed the fact that we were challenging him. The big topic was the recent news we received that the Supreme Court is now allowing the possibility of putting the entire Vatican on trial, even the Pope, for all the pedophile cases around the world. We were able to ask the closest man to the Pope for information. Unbelievable.

The next morning, Friday, a group of us left for the train station at 5:30 am to catch a train to Naples where we then took a ferry to

the Island of Capri! I simple cannot describe what I saw as we approached the island. The weather was perfect. Hot and sunny. Could not ask for more when you are going to spend the day at the beach laying on the rocks and swimming.

A group decided to rent a boat right away and drive it around the island for 2 hours but I

needed some food and I wanted to get in the ocean!

The group that went around had an awesome time, but two of the girls got stung by some jellyfish. One of the girls got stung pretty badly in two places. Not good. I finally made my first real purchase in Italy and I bought two t-shirts, a bracelet, and a key ring/chain.

After spending a good 4 hours swimming and lying on the boulder sized rocks (they definitely were uncomfortable at first, but after adjusting them aka creating a hole for you butt you were good to go!) we decided to take a boat to the Blue Grotto. We took a larger boat out to the cave on the other side of the island and there we transfered into small paddle boats that fit about 5 people at most. The man paddling the boat would bring us to the front of the cave and we would all have to lay down on the bottom of the boat and he would pull us through. Once we were in he paddled to the back of the cave and turned us around. I lost my breath. The water was glowing blue (picture). Absolutely glowing. I swear it was magic. The water was so clear you would put your hand in and it appeared blue as well.

We returned to the main beach where some of our friends were watching our stuff and we all packed up, got gelato..of course...and got on a ferry to head to Sorrento, where we were staying that night. After arriving in Sorrento and climbing the hundreds of steps to the main part of the town, we got dinner. I had pizza con ananas (pizza with pineapple), it was so delicious. Made pineapple pizza in the States look sad, these ananas were huge! That night we stayed in a hostel. It was my first hostel experience and I can actually say it went pretty well. I felt completely safe and there were no bed bugs. I call that a success! The next morning we left for Naples to meet up with the rest of our program because we had tours in Naples and Pompeii that day. We went to an archeological museum in Naples where artifacts were shown from Pompeii (picture).

We spent a few hours there and then headed to Pompeii. Pompeii was awesome. It was reserved so well due to the volcanic eruption. It was almost frozen in time. Here is a picture of my roommate and I in the Forum in Pompeii. A teacher for a history class in our program kept telling us, "see, there is nothing new under the sun!". So true, we think we are being so creative and inventive...no no no, definitely not.

We walked around Pompeii for at least 3 hours in the intense sun and on our way back to the bus Michelle (teammate from Minnesota) decided to have a little heat stroke.

This included Italian EMT's who spoke zero english and 2 random dogs that decided

to hang around us and stay close to Michelle. It was as if they were wanting to make sure she was ok! After many bottles of water, sugar, and food she was beginning to act her normal self again.

We got back Saturday night and we all collapsed in our beds. Sunday morning I ran my long run with Amy, another girl on my team back in Minnesota and boy was it hot. I am finding that I will never complain again about the cold in Minnesota. At this moment I would welcome a nice snowy day. Only for one day a week though, I just need to rejuvenate! The nice thing is that everyone is melting, so you are not the only one who looks completely ridiculous. You know its hot when your ankles are sweating...it has been interesting! In the afternoon we decided to go to the largest flea market in Rome. We spent 2 hours walking in one direction and never hit the end of the market. It was massive. I have learned to barter and I made some nice purchases! Since Sunday was the 4th of July, we new we had to do something American! (picture)

We went to the Hard Rock Cafe! Best meal of my life. I had a 10 oz bacon cheeseburger, fries, and this cheesecake dessert. First time I have been so

full I felt sick. I was so satisfied and happy to be in an environment that felt comfortable. They even played the anthem, you better believe I stood up and sang along.

This week I had the normal classes, but in my Italian language class we switched teachers because we were half way through the program. Instead of Francesca we have a man named Mario. On Tuesday we had a test and...it was interesting. I definitely prefer sign language or english...because I am fluent in those. Tuesday night we had dinner with our landlord Tedo again on his terrace but this time we did not eat until 10:45pm. Originally he told us 6 or 7, then it changed to 9 and then it was almost 11pm. We had this pasta with ham/meat/bacon (I'm not too sure what it was) and tomatoes. I ate so quickly because I was so hungry but then I felt super sick so I had to pass up gelato. YES. You heard me right, I skipped gelato and went to bed. Shocking, I know.

Last night we went and watched the Germany vs Spain world cup game in Trastevere. A couple of us girls wound up in a German bar, finding ourselves to be the only females. It was interesting, but they were real nice to us. Oddly though we were the only ones cheering for Germany. I am still slightly confused about that, but I really did not care too much who won. I am still sad that USA and Italy were out so soon. After the game a group of us wandered along the Tiber River. During the summer they have tents and restaurants lining the river and there are so many locals hanging out. It was a lot of fun. A few of us left earlier than everyone else because we needed to do our Italian homework for today!

Today was another adventure. I am sorry that this blog is so long, but I did a lot in this past week! For my Italian Media class we were able to have another exclusive look on the inside of a very important building in Rome. We went to the Italian Parliament. The problem that we faced was that we had to dress in super formal wear. None of us brought that type of clothing. Shucks, an excuse to go shopping.

We all looked very professional today and might I add, very grown up! We have been learning a lot about the Prime Minister Berlusconi so it was perfect timing to meet with some of his supporters. This past week for that class we had to interview Italians about their view of Berlusconi as well what newspaper they read because it all correlates with their political outlook. Yes you heard me right, I, Laura, asked strangers in Italian about their political preference in restaurants, at markets, and on the street. Completely out of my comfort zone! For the most part, Italians do not like him, but somehow he is still in office. So meeting with people who actually support Berlusconi was quite interesting. Do not get me started on this man, but because of this class and all the talk of politics, for the first time in my life I am actually interested in our political system and want to learn more. Add that to the list of things I have become interested in. Like I have said before, it has taken me to leave America to learn more about my own country!

This week, Michelle and I figured out where we are exactly going after we are done in Rome! We have booked our flights and train tickets to Venice, Brussels, Paris, London and Dublin! I will make sure to do my best about blogging during that time!

Well I feel that is enough to talk about, phew! I could go on more with all that I have seen everyday, but that is for when I reunite with everyone and I have the pictures to correlate. I miss everyone and cannot wait to return. However, I know I still have more to accomplish here. I am continuing to take in everything, because before I know it I will miss the crazy drivers, the beautiful architecture everywhere I turn and even the simplicity in which they live their life.

Ciao

<3