Ciao!

Day 2: We got up nice and early and went to school to take our placement exam and get enrolled in class. Jackie and I placed in the same class! We were put in a level 1, part 2 class. It ended up being at 2:15 - 5:30 p.m. each day. since it was only about 11:30 a.m., we had some time before our pizza orientation a 1:00 p.m. and then our first class at 2:15 p.m.

During the morning we started making friends with other classmates and learning the area a bit. We found out some great information about getting international student IDs and discounted monthly subway passes! Everyone was really friendly and the people who had been there for some time were openly helpful with teaching us the tricks of the trade. Surprisingly (or maybe not surprisingly) pretty much everyone speaks English, and there are a lot of people from the states! Of course, we are also meeting a lot of people from all over Europe and other parts of the world too - che interesante!

Eventually, we began our frist class. There are between 11-15 people in each class, which is a great size. Our teacher, Marlena, is really awesome too! I'm happy with where we were placed, but the competitive part of me also wants to learn everything quickly and well so I cna move up quickly :o)

After class, a bunch of us went to Campo Dei Fiori for an apperitivi. Apperitivi are AMAZING! It's such a great deal! You basically order a drink, and then get access to an amzing food buffet! It's all sorts of appetizers - different types of bruschetta, cheeses, meats, veggies, rice dishes, pasta, etc etc. YUM! You're supposed to use this time to relax from a day at work and then go out to dinner later, but it's a great opportunity to save some money and try a nice variety of great food!

Eventually, we made our way back towards the apartment and went to bed to try to get some rest.

Day 3: This morning we got up and went to the bar down the street for our morning coffees. Jackie got a capuccino and I got an espresso. Yum! Then we started to get some stuff done for the day!

We went to the foodstore and drooled over all the delicious things we could buy and keep at the apartment, wandered through Piazza Navona , and then went to get our student IDs. As we walked into the student ID office, we realized a priest was there to bless the office and staff! He told us to stay so he could bless us too. It was pretty cool :o)

After, we stopped at a place to grab lunch. We both got pasta dishes that were delicious! We had to eat quickly, though, because we needed to get to class!

Class went well, and then it was off to apperitivi with the school. Yum! I had a "spritz" for a drink (campari and soda water), and it was a little bitter but good as well!

After, a few new friends helped me and Jackie find our way towards the Vatican so I could see my next apartment. Everything looks good so I'm going to move there June 25!

And, of course, we tried our first gelato!! We were told to go to a place by the Vatican, and it was absolutely delicious! I got a black cherry flavor, with big chunks of cherry in it. Mmm.. so good! What a great end to the day!