La Classe d'italiano

La lingua italiano e bella. One of the reasons why I decided to learn italian was because it is phonetically pleasing. I'm currently taking Italian level 5 and will end with level 7 at the end of the quarter. Tomorrow I'll also begin the culture class- Italian Civilization. My language instructor is one of the most helpful and humble people that I've ever met. She is from Palermo Sicily and found a job in Siena like many other Sicilians who move to the north for a better quality of living. Language class is from Monday's to Thursdays and are only 3 and a half hours long. We have a twenty minute break in which I sometimes choose to walk around in Siena. Other students go to a Bar to drink coffee or munch on pastries (by the way Italian Bars are coffee shops) I'm so grateful for having Enza as a teacher for the entire quarter. Apparently she has been popular in the past, with other EAP students. I found a facebook group dedicated to her : http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=enza+bologna&init=quick#/group.php?gid=7755146834.

Enza also has a blog for her students. She has posted a couple of class photos and videos. As part of our classwork we read the blog during class. You are welcome to check it out- http://fall09l5enza.blogspot.com/

We are a class of 13. It's the smallest class that I've ever been in as part of the University of California, hhmm actually the smallest sized class that I've ever had in my entire life. My peers are from UCD, UCSB, and UCSD. I don't know think that we would be as close if instead we would be in California. I guess that being away from home, missing burritos, and sharing experiences in Italy has made us more like a family. I really like it :D

When in Rome...

A few weeks ago my friends from EAP Siena and I decided that it would be best to visit Rome earlier in the program since it was just a bus drive away. Rome is one of those places which one must visit. All in all I spent approximately 120 euro ( 52 for transportation, 12 for food, 30 for the hostel, 12 to get into the Colosseum, and 20 for souvenirs).
After figuring out how to use the metro system, the first major historic site that I visited was the Colosseum. We got off the metro and there it was- 1,500 years old and still standing, still as impressive. I was just as awestruck as the several hundred of other tourists from all over the world (many were from Spain and England). I know that my little sister would have really appreciated being there I hope that she has to opportunity to visit.
The second site was the Trevi Fountain. I made my wish and tossed a coin over my left shoulder. I really wanted to dive in there because it was so hot and humid. The Pantheon was our next stop. It was probably one of my favorite places. The art was too beautiful to be true, yet the Spanish steps really stole my heart. Once you go inside the church and are still still conscious (Spanish steps = many, many steps) you are surrounded by the most beautiful paitings that a church can possibly have. I also felt very peaceful. The next day we went to the Basilica di San Pietro in Vatican City. There probably was a line of around a thousand people from all ages. The wait was no more than half and hour. Hmmm what can I say about the Basilica. I could not have possibly imagined how huge and luxurious it is. After seeing Angele's Castle our last stop was the Piazza del Popolo. These two weren't weren't my favorite but I can't deny that the architecture was just as impressive as many of the other sites.

I don't mean to sound like a grumpy old grandma but there were a series of unfortunate events that made me want to rush back to Siena. Let's just say that I'm happy that I had the opportunity to visit this ancient and historically rich city but I don't plan to go back. Here is my list of complaints:

1) The tourists/ the people.
Ok, I was a tourist as well and just as intrigued about Rome as all of the others. I just wish that there wasn't a thousand of us for every square foot. Feeling so jam packed all the time doesn't make people be courteous either. Also, the vendors try to target Americans more than any other foreignors. Some common questions are you American? or Where are you from? Yeah. Sell me that for 5 more euro please.
2) The drivers.
I still don't know how people don't manage to get run over. You have to be really careful about crossing the streets.
3) The weather.
Heat and humidity should not be paired.
4) Our Hostel.
We paid 30 euro for a private room which came with a few extra companions. One of my friends woke us all up because the first thing she say on her pillow that morning was a roach. The hostel was not located in the safest area either.
5) The smells and the filth.
Some parts of the city don't smell good and aren't clean. It really wasn't that bad but I was expecting Rome to be cleaner.
6) The metro.
Maybe I should not complain about the metro because it was really convenient. The wait for each train was no more than five minutes and the stops led us to many historic sites. There was just too many people. We were packed like sardines.
7) Hair in my food.
No explanation needed.
8) My roommate was hit on the head by a man handing out a flyer.
That jerk. She kindly refused one of his flyers, and he hit her on the head (not hard by the way) and then mocked her.
9) Our bus broke down.
I was finally happy to get out of Rome and in only fifteen minutes on the road our bus stopped working. So we waited for an hour and a half.