Auntie Jo and Uncle Sef,
Look to the right. That is Lindsay. We are dating. She is the one that left the comment. You have not heard about her because in our last visit to Natchez there was only limited time to spend with you all. I figured it would be in the best interest of family conversation to catch each other up on events and whatnot, rather than be harassed the whole time with questions and "uncle sef" trying to see if he can call her to question her sanity in dating me. I shall fill you in later in more detail if you would like. Also, my email address, Scott_G_Smith@baylor.edu, is still the same if you would like to inquire there.
Buon giorno
Scott
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Dov'e il autobus?
No joke, I've lost five pounds since I've been here. It's not that I'm not eating enough, or drinking plenty of water. My eating habits are the same and I chug water like it's going out of style. However, I've walked more in the past three days than at any one point in my life. And for some reason, my roommate and I always find the ways that have us going uphill both ways. Hard to believe, I know, but if you were in Trastevre you'd understand.
Yesterday we had a meeting with our SAI person and the housing liason. Our place is a dungeon and we aren't happy with what they have given us. The SAI promised a cultural experience interacting with the locals and other students. We are nowhere near other students. And it takes us a good fifteen to twenty minute walk to any sort of store. Walking in our area, we spent an hour trying to find any place to eat. While the other students in our program are off of the main road with a supermarket up the street and two caffes right around the corner. The walk to the school is about 30 minutes or a little under. We have to go up and around a few hills to get there but not so bad. However, it's our place that we absolutely can't stand. It is a very depressing place to live. We are on the corner of a building, below the street level. My room that I share along with the kitchen/sitting room are both about eight feel below the street. The only windows we have are on the street where no air comes in and they have bars covering them. The interior area is our bathroom joined to the single room's bathroom via the shower. The single room and its bathroom have a window on level with the courtyard and yet again both of those have bars across them. You walk into our place and within five minutes you feel vaguely connected to prisoners on some level. This isn't what we were promised through the SAI program.
If you think that we're in Rome and it's no big deal or we should be content, let me share with you a little more research we did. After getting no sort of reaction from SAI's director here other than stick it out for a week and get to know the area we decided to head to JCU and talk to their housing. He doesn't want to cause a rift between JCU and SAI first and foremost. BUT, he did tell us that his primary concern is with the students at JCU regardless of their program. He listened to our situation and asked where we lived. We said San Calepodio and immediately he knew what we were talking about. He knew, because this apartment used to be on his list until last year when he condemend it from JCU housing options citing that it was unacceptable standards for their students to live in. That brings us back to square one wondering how in the world the SAI director here can tell us how great a place it is and how she wishes she could live there when the university itself won't house there students. They're not budging and we know they're shortchanging us immensely.
We know it's a walk or bus ride to get to anything around here. We understand that and go along with it. It's good exercise and you see a lot of things. However, it's a depressing feeling knowing that at the end of the day/night you're in essence going back to a prison below ground that neither of us feel comfortable going back to.
On to better things. We walked over to the heart of Rome yesterday and saw the Roman Forum and the other ruins. Took a few pictures and just kind of strolled the streets. Crossed over the Tiber and headed back towards the school area for a dinner that was on them. It was a full meal complete with bruschetta, pizza primavera, and fruit. A bottle of water and a bottle of wine for the table and we were set. After sitting there for a bit we walked over to a group of friends' place. We sat around drinking some wine on the balcony and enjoying the breeze and the view. It was a great night...until the walk back.
Apparently the short way to our part of the neighborhood is up some steps. "Some steps" was not clearly defined. Some steps turned into roughly the height of a ten story building. Luckily we found a snack bar open late and grabbed a couple bottles of water. (Don't worry dad, so far my money hasn't gone towards anything but a meal here and there and bottles and bottles of water) Every time I drink one I reminisce about the sign over the urinals at field training. Almost like being back there except without the yelling...at least there we had a view.
Today we're heading from the school to the other side of the river. Hopefully we'll get the buses down, or at least some cool stuff along the way.
Yesterday we had a meeting with our SAI person and the housing liason. Our place is a dungeon and we aren't happy with what they have given us. The SAI promised a cultural experience interacting with the locals and other students. We are nowhere near other students. And it takes us a good fifteen to twenty minute walk to any sort of store. Walking in our area, we spent an hour trying to find any place to eat. While the other students in our program are off of the main road with a supermarket up the street and two caffes right around the corner. The walk to the school is about 30 minutes or a little under. We have to go up and around a few hills to get there but not so bad. However, it's our place that we absolutely can't stand. It is a very depressing place to live. We are on the corner of a building, below the street level. My room that I share along with the kitchen/sitting room are both about eight feel below the street. The only windows we have are on the street where no air comes in and they have bars covering them. The interior area is our bathroom joined to the single room's bathroom via the shower. The single room and its bathroom have a window on level with the courtyard and yet again both of those have bars across them. You walk into our place and within five minutes you feel vaguely connected to prisoners on some level. This isn't what we were promised through the SAI program.
If you think that we're in Rome and it's no big deal or we should be content, let me share with you a little more research we did. After getting no sort of reaction from SAI's director here other than stick it out for a week and get to know the area we decided to head to JCU and talk to their housing. He doesn't want to cause a rift between JCU and SAI first and foremost. BUT, he did tell us that his primary concern is with the students at JCU regardless of their program. He listened to our situation and asked where we lived. We said San Calepodio and immediately he knew what we were talking about. He knew, because this apartment used to be on his list until last year when he condemend it from JCU housing options citing that it was unacceptable standards for their students to live in. That brings us back to square one wondering how in the world the SAI director here can tell us how great a place it is and how she wishes she could live there when the university itself won't house there students. They're not budging and we know they're shortchanging us immensely.
We know it's a walk or bus ride to get to anything around here. We understand that and go along with it. It's good exercise and you see a lot of things. However, it's a depressing feeling knowing that at the end of the day/night you're in essence going back to a prison below ground that neither of us feel comfortable going back to.
On to better things. We walked over to the heart of Rome yesterday and saw the Roman Forum and the other ruins. Took a few pictures and just kind of strolled the streets. Crossed over the Tiber and headed back towards the school area for a dinner that was on them. It was a full meal complete with bruschetta, pizza primavera, and fruit. A bottle of water and a bottle of wine for the table and we were set. After sitting there for a bit we walked over to a group of friends' place. We sat around drinking some wine on the balcony and enjoying the breeze and the view. It was a great night...until the walk back.
Apparently the short way to our part of the neighborhood is up some steps. "Some steps" was not clearly defined. Some steps turned into roughly the height of a ten story building. Luckily we found a snack bar open late and grabbed a couple bottles of water. (Don't worry dad, so far my money hasn't gone towards anything but a meal here and there and bottles and bottles of water) Every time I drink one I reminisce about the sign over the urinals at field training. Almost like being back there except without the yelling...at least there we had a view.
Today we're heading from the school to the other side of the river. Hopefully we'll get the buses down, or at least some cool stuff along the way.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Day 1 and Still No Sign of Life
Wow. The past thirty-four hours have been intense. It all started with a not so bright but none-the-less early start Sunday morning. After putting a last few items into the monstrosity of a bag (I'll get to this in a minute) my parents and I loaded up to haul down to Austin. Had we known the plane was delayed leaving Washington DC to Austin by an hour I would have either a)slept in a bit longer, b)had my dad stop for breakfast at an IHOP for the last time in four months, c)get a case of Dr. Pepper for the flights because apparently Coke has a monopoly on every place in the world outside of Waco, or d)slept in a bit longer. You can see where my interests lay.
As it happened, we did not know the plane was delayed and thus took advantage of a non-rush hour affected trip to Austin. Once at the airport it was time to haul the bags in to the check-in counter. My dad wisely chose to roll the bag that we knew weighed well under the weight limit. That left me with the bag that made me feel as if I were heading out to an international bowling tour complete with my own set of pins. After weighing in I found I had a total of 108.5 pounds of luggage. One bag weighed 38 and the limit was 50 pounds. I'll let you calculate how much big bertha weighed. Fortunately they were able to find their way onto the conveyor belt before my dad could get a picture of them.
So the two hour wait for the plane that we originally had turned into a three and a half hour wait. Finally the little jet came in and we were able to board. Not without a crew change, mind you, so now we're a little past their projected take-off time. Flight attendant comes on and announces the sit back and enjoy the flight bit, we push away from the gate, roll back twenty feet...and stop. Apparently the same mechanical problem that delayed the plane getting to Austin is the same thing that is keeping us on the ground. Turns out a valve on the left engine gets stuck and has to be manually switched to get the engine running. Shameless advertising plug: and it's a wonder why United and Delta continue to plumit towards bankruptcy. Fly Southwest! They get you there on time and actually care about you in the process.
I'll take this moment to inform you that my international flight to Rome leaves from Dulles at 6:16.
Anwyay, wheels down at Dulles at 5:50. Arrive at the gate at 6:04. Climb down and haul ass through terminal A to tram for terminal D at 6:05. Sit on tram that doesn't leave for another three minutes. Arrive at terminal D at 6:11. Again haul ass Home Alone style to the game and board the plane at 6:15. Sit in my seat watching them load luggage, switch out food, and restock beverages at 6:30. Wheels up at 6:50. United has officially lost my future business; except for when I fly back. THEN, they'll have lost my business for good.
The inflight movies weren't as good as I was hoping. After watching In The Land of Women, the last half hour of Spider-Man 3, and half of Fracture before falling asleep, I was tired of the choices. I hope they're better on the way back. The airline food was what it typically is stereotyped to be. My neighbor was very quiet on the trip. Turns out he only speaks Italian. Very, very little english. We found this out during a nice interaction where I took a minute to realize he was wanting to switch places while he got luggage out of the overhead bin. We again communicated when he was heading to the restroom to (found this out when he came back) take his contacts out as well. I opted for less confusing dialogue and gathered my stuff when I saw him doing the same. We made a row trip out of it, if you will.
Landing at Rome was a whirlwind. Got off the plane and shuffled through a hampster maze until the customs window. Got my passport stamped (!) and headed towards the tram to the other terminal. Walked by a line of loud Americans, turned back to see it was a currency exchange spot. So I went back and waited myself. Though I was not near as loud. Apparently some people like to travel internationally and be surprised at the exchange rate that turns their plans in on themselves. Went to baggage claim 8 to get my bags. After a bit of waiting around with others from the flight and still no action from behind the wall we decided to scan the boards. Turns out when United says claim 8 they really mean claim 6. The plus side? My bags made the international flight with me. Good thing they get some things right.
There was a little confusion finding the JCU people at the airport. Finally when I walked by one women holding a sign four different times she asked who I was looking for. I said John Cabot and she informed me they were outside and weren't able to come into the claim area. So much for their arrival procedures being accurate. Found my checkin spot, waited with another group of students, and then loaded the shuttle. The shuttle turned out to be an oversized Mercedes-Benz van-econoclass. After driving on that death machine, if anyone (this especially means you, Lindsay) gives me a hard time about my driving habits I will laugh at them out loud and direct them to the nearest european city. If I was scared during it then you know it was bad.
The checkin at JCU took about ten minutes. They handed me a cell phone. They handed me three papers, I signed them, and gave them back. Gave a copy of my passport and visa, and then got my keys. (I have a very long medieval looking key! The others that were with me were pretty envious. I'd trade them for a smaller, easier to manage one) Picked up my linens and a welcome back complete with a package of fake toast and nutella. Ah, it's started already.
After dropping 6 of the 8 off, our maniac man behind the wheel roared through the streets towards my building. He quickly stopped to confer with a map, then off we flew. Only to stop three more times so he could look at the map again and get a call for assistance. Apparently my street doesn't exist. After winding through a maze of streets I found myself in front of my building. Turns out I'm under the building. When they say ground floor, and your building is imbedded at the top of a hill, they mean ground floor. No view. And all that cold air that blows in and pushed the hot air up? It blows in at the top and pushed the hot air down. I can see why the apartment is vacant.
My roommates haven't arrived yet. I'm hoping that by the time I finish this and hike back there they'll be unpacking.
So far today I've been walking around the Trastevre neighborhood. Trying to find the little shops and markets that I'll be frequenting through the next few months. I've explored around the school and figure I'll spend a lot more time around this area during the weekdays. So far I'm saying away from gelaterias. For now I'll settle with a liter of water and a panini, if I can find one. Hopefully dinner is coming soon.
Though it's 6 right now. That's enough time for me to pack this up in my locker and head over to the Piazza ______ to a bar (coffee shop) called Friends for a meet and greet session. Maybe my roommates will find themselves over there.
Tomorrow, I learn the bus system. And also how to fix my computer to get everything back in english. Just because my IP address is now in Italy doesn't mean I want all my sports updates in Italian. Wish me luck.
As it happened, we did not know the plane was delayed and thus took advantage of a non-rush hour affected trip to Austin. Once at the airport it was time to haul the bags in to the check-in counter. My dad wisely chose to roll the bag that we knew weighed well under the weight limit. That left me with the bag that made me feel as if I were heading out to an international bowling tour complete with my own set of pins. After weighing in I found I had a total of 108.5 pounds of luggage. One bag weighed 38 and the limit was 50 pounds. I'll let you calculate how much big bertha weighed. Fortunately they were able to find their way onto the conveyor belt before my dad could get a picture of them.
So the two hour wait for the plane that we originally had turned into a three and a half hour wait. Finally the little jet came in and we were able to board. Not without a crew change, mind you, so now we're a little past their projected take-off time. Flight attendant comes on and announces the sit back and enjoy the flight bit, we push away from the gate, roll back twenty feet...and stop. Apparently the same mechanical problem that delayed the plane getting to Austin is the same thing that is keeping us on the ground. Turns out a valve on the left engine gets stuck and has to be manually switched to get the engine running. Shameless advertising plug: and it's a wonder why United and Delta continue to plumit towards bankruptcy. Fly Southwest! They get you there on time and actually care about you in the process.
I'll take this moment to inform you that my international flight to Rome leaves from Dulles at 6:16.
Anwyay, wheels down at Dulles at 5:50. Arrive at the gate at 6:04. Climb down and haul ass through terminal A to tram for terminal D at 6:05. Sit on tram that doesn't leave for another three minutes. Arrive at terminal D at 6:11. Again haul ass Home Alone style to the game and board the plane at 6:15. Sit in my seat watching them load luggage, switch out food, and restock beverages at 6:30. Wheels up at 6:50. United has officially lost my future business; except for when I fly back. THEN, they'll have lost my business for good.
The inflight movies weren't as good as I was hoping. After watching In The Land of Women, the last half hour of Spider-Man 3, and half of Fracture before falling asleep, I was tired of the choices. I hope they're better on the way back. The airline food was what it typically is stereotyped to be. My neighbor was very quiet on the trip. Turns out he only speaks Italian. Very, very little english. We found this out during a nice interaction where I took a minute to realize he was wanting to switch places while he got luggage out of the overhead bin. We again communicated when he was heading to the restroom to (found this out when he came back) take his contacts out as well. I opted for less confusing dialogue and gathered my stuff when I saw him doing the same. We made a row trip out of it, if you will.
Landing at Rome was a whirlwind. Got off the plane and shuffled through a hampster maze until the customs window. Got my passport stamped (!) and headed towards the tram to the other terminal. Walked by a line of loud Americans, turned back to see it was a currency exchange spot. So I went back and waited myself. Though I was not near as loud. Apparently some people like to travel internationally and be surprised at the exchange rate that turns their plans in on themselves. Went to baggage claim 8 to get my bags. After a bit of waiting around with others from the flight and still no action from behind the wall we decided to scan the boards. Turns out when United says claim 8 they really mean claim 6. The plus side? My bags made the international flight with me. Good thing they get some things right.
There was a little confusion finding the JCU people at the airport. Finally when I walked by one women holding a sign four different times she asked who I was looking for. I said John Cabot and she informed me they were outside and weren't able to come into the claim area. So much for their arrival procedures being accurate. Found my checkin spot, waited with another group of students, and then loaded the shuttle. The shuttle turned out to be an oversized Mercedes-Benz van-econoclass. After driving on that death machine, if anyone (this especially means you, Lindsay) gives me a hard time about my driving habits I will laugh at them out loud and direct them to the nearest european city. If I was scared during it then you know it was bad.
The checkin at JCU took about ten minutes. They handed me a cell phone. They handed me three papers, I signed them, and gave them back. Gave a copy of my passport and visa, and then got my keys. (I have a very long medieval looking key! The others that were with me were pretty envious. I'd trade them for a smaller, easier to manage one) Picked up my linens and a welcome back complete with a package of fake toast and nutella. Ah, it's started already.
After dropping 6 of the 8 off, our maniac man behind the wheel roared through the streets towards my building. He quickly stopped to confer with a map, then off we flew. Only to stop three more times so he could look at the map again and get a call for assistance. Apparently my street doesn't exist. After winding through a maze of streets I found myself in front of my building. Turns out I'm under the building. When they say ground floor, and your building is imbedded at the top of a hill, they mean ground floor. No view. And all that cold air that blows in and pushed the hot air up? It blows in at the top and pushed the hot air down. I can see why the apartment is vacant.
My roommates haven't arrived yet. I'm hoping that by the time I finish this and hike back there they'll be unpacking.
So far today I've been walking around the Trastevre neighborhood. Trying to find the little shops and markets that I'll be frequenting through the next few months. I've explored around the school and figure I'll spend a lot more time around this area during the weekdays. So far I'm saying away from gelaterias. For now I'll settle with a liter of water and a panini, if I can find one. Hopefully dinner is coming soon.
Though it's 6 right now. That's enough time for me to pack this up in my locker and head over to the Piazza ______ to a bar (coffee shop) called Friends for a meet and greet session. Maybe my roommates will find themselves over there.
Tomorrow, I learn the bus system. And also how to fix my computer to get everything back in english. Just because my IP address is now in Italy doesn't mean I want all my sports updates in Italian. Wish me luck.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
The Start
Here it is 6 hours before I have to leave for the Austin airport, and I'm sitting in front of the computer to type in an entry. I'm doing this two-fold. 1) I'm still too energetic from the realization that tomorrow is finally it and 2)That if I get too much sleep now the only thing I'll be doing on the flight to Rome is watching movies instead of sleeping. Jetlag is something I've experienced a few times before but it's been about ten years or so and I don't want have this trip break that record.
Everything is packed. I'm 12.5 pounds over the limit on my suitcase, but what can you do. There's no way to knock it down to 50 even, and whether we're 1 pound or 100 pounds over we still get the additional charge. My dad and I's thought? Cram it to the gills. I look back and cringe at the first time I went for a study abroad session. 5 weeks apparently meant I needed two large suitcases with a rolling duffel folded into one for additional room on the way back. Now I leave for four months and I've got just one of those suitcases and the afore mentioned duffel. Considerably cut down on the luggage even though I've drastically multiplied the time spent away.
So far there haven't been any bumps along the way. I'm guess those come during the day of nonstop traveling. In about two days I'll be able to give a more useful entry.
Until then, arrivaderci!
Everything is packed. I'm 12.5 pounds over the limit on my suitcase, but what can you do. There's no way to knock it down to 50 even, and whether we're 1 pound or 100 pounds over we still get the additional charge. My dad and I's thought? Cram it to the gills. I look back and cringe at the first time I went for a study abroad session. 5 weeks apparently meant I needed two large suitcases with a rolling duffel folded into one for additional room on the way back. Now I leave for four months and I've got just one of those suitcases and the afore mentioned duffel. Considerably cut down on the luggage even though I've drastically multiplied the time spent away.
So far there haven't been any bumps along the way. I'm guess those come during the day of nonstop traveling. In about two days I'll be able to give a more useful entry.
Until then, arrivaderci!
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