Accidentally touring rome

So we've been non stop since we started orientation and we took all day Saturday to rest. Then today we laid in bed until 2 pm. We decided we had to go to the heart of Rome, at least to just walk around. So we went into the center and did some shopping. Then Liv, Kim and our roommate Erin decided to go home and Kendall and I decided to stay and get dinner :) First we went to an espresso bar for a cappuccino -- we still don't know the right way to order one apparently. Then we continued walking around and because we are hiring a guide to take us to all of the landmarks later this week, we did not intend to visit any major historical sites. We did make sure we visited a McDonalds -- the fries were delicious, of course. Then we kept walking and we stumbled onto the Trevi Fountain! It was so funny. We literally walked right into it. It was amazing to see it in the night time. Then we figured, why not go to the Spanish Steps!! So we asked for directions (thankfully people in the center speak English -- unlike in Garbatella) and found our way to the Spanish Steps -- also incredible at night. We continued walking around for a while and then decided to find a restaurant to eat at for dinner. After such an Italian filled few hours, we ironically settled on sushi! :) We got an assorted plate of sushi to share and tried everything on it! Finally, we capped the night off with chocolate cake :p 

Capp<3ccino

Mickey D's!

Trevi Fountain!

Spanish Steps

Forgetting we study abroad in Italy for some Japanese food

Chocolate cake for dessert

Garbatella

So we have a Rome zip code, but we're really living in the Brooklyn of Rome -- in Garbatella. The head of our trip, Tina (aka Tina Turner when we're in giddy moods), explained the history of Garbatella to us. Apparently Mussolini wanted to build the Altare della Patria in the early 1900's. So in order to make room, he kicked out everyone who lived nearby. He had homes built in what is now Garbatella for the people who were left homeless. Now, Garbatella is full of families who trace their ancestry back to the Italians who were forced to move by Mussolini. The residents enjoy the Italian version of rent control and the houses are beautiful -- but when Mussolini kicked them out back in the early 1900's, they were not happy. Today, Kendall and I walked aimlessly around the heart of Rome and found the Altare della Patria! 

**Correction on this post: My professor explained that Mussolini only cleaned this monument and did not build it. I will research more and update the post.

Altare della Patria

Below are some pictures of Garbatella!

First Espresso!

Liv and I just had our first espresso - we got Americanos. We walked into a bar (coffee shops in Italy) and ordered completely wrong. We asked for Americanos at the bar. But you're supposed to pay first at the register and then go to the bar to tell the barrista what you paid for. There was a man from New York who moved to Italy to teach and he taught us how to order correctly. He also introduced us to this brown cream (I forget what it's called) that works like sugar. So we tried that in our Americano! Then we went to go sit at the tables - also wrong. When you order at the bar you drink standing up at the bar - oops! The same guy from ny told us so we stayed standing at the bar sipping our Italian coffees :)

Orientation

Wednesday night was the beginning of orientation and ever since we have spent almost every waking moment with the entire Arcadia group and doing the most repetitive and unnecessary things that take double the time they should. We are making the best of it, but it is not worth a blog post. I'll explain it with this picture :) 

First Day in Roma!

Ciao!

Today was our first day in Rome. I slept almost the whole flight and it was so pleasant. Then we got our bags and agreed to go in some shuttle with all these other people -- eventually we go to the Hotel Stendhal. The hotel is so cute and delicate and we have doors that open up to a little balcony. Liv and I walked around the streets, just exploring. We came upon the greatest genuine hole in the wall Italian sandwich shop. All the customers were speaking Italian. I totally branched out and got an AMAZING sandwich -- turkey, cheese, eggplant spread, sun dried tomatoes on bread that was better than Cosi's. The sandwich came in a pouch so we walked around with our sandwiches and just turned on whichever streets looked best. We actually successfully found our way back! Then we took a nap as we tried to watch To Rome With Love. We're pushing ourselves to meet friends for dinner tonight at 9 pm. :/ Hopefully we'll stay up. We're going to get a glass of wine and walk around before dinner to keep ourselves awake. I'm having the greatest day ever :) 

Italian Sandwich Shop! 

Our balcony!