Let me be begin by saying that Rome is amazing! It's unlike anything I imagined even though I've seen videos and pictures of this place, but living here is a completely different story! I'm not a tourist here, I'm a resident! I have to learn bus routes, addresses, where the electric shop, grocery stores and everything else is, including the language! It's been easy getting by with very minimal background in Italian, but being that I'm completely immersed in this, surely I'll catch on quickly. My Italian class at the AUR should help a great deal as well.
Italians are extremely laid back and relaxed. Work is practically a second priority, a complete change from what I'm used to in America where our lives are run by our jobs. During siesta, which is around 1-4, most of the shops, schools, and most restaurants close down and everyone goes home for a meal and maybe throw in a nap, in my case. It's a very calm lifestyle where sometimes you can't expect to get things done, like going to the post office could be a hassle because they can pretty much shut down whenever they want. It can be annoying, but I learned quickly that it's just the way they live here, and I love it!
At this point, I'm very much more fascinated by the Italian lifestyle than seeing the historic sights, which I will certainly get to, I'm just adjusting still. I have visited Vatican City, the Trevi Fountain, Crossed the Tiber River, and roamed around most of the center city. I will obviously have more pictures to show you all along the way, but for now.. here's what I've got!
The first picture is St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. It was a pretty huge space overall. Inside was cool, but all my pictures from inside came out too dark, or there were just too many people in the way to get a good shot.
The second picture you was a view I captured while crossing the Tiber River. And the last one is just a typical street in Rome, you can see the tram pulling out on the right.
Ciao!
