Fun fact: Week three has turned out to be one of the best thus far. It contained some of the most amazing, beautiful, and informative days that I can ever remember having. And since it is my duty to help you, readers, vicariously discover the joys of being abroad, I will do my best to share my experience with you.
On the 29th, I had to be at the Vatican museums for both my 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. classes (but was supposed to have lunch/Italian in between), so my Medieval Professor called my Italian Professor who then granted me permission to skip class and remain at the Vatican ALL day!
When we first arrived there, my classmates and I weren't clear on directions and ended up taking a detour into St Peter's basilica -- vast and truly bellissimo. The weather was gorgeous, so my friend Ximena and I took the extra time between classes to go through the museum and FINALLY see the Sistine Chapel. When we got there, the sunlight was streaming in and it was practically empty... I'm only sad that I wasn't allowed to lay down on the floor and stare at it for hours!
Anyway, all in one day I saw Michelangelo's Pieta, the Sistine Chapel, the statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, AND got to go behind the scenes of the painting and sculpture conservation labs at the Vatican (as seen in the picture below). Then, me and four of my favorite people in the program took a crazy bus ride deep into the heart of Gianicolo to go to this Thai restaurant I'd heard about from Joli...
Not only was the food good and the wait staff friendly, but they gave us free french fries, free appetizers, free dessert and THREE free bottles of wine! Then we came home, I took a nice hot bath, and went to bed. In short, it was so unbelievably wonderful that I still can't believe it happened.
Then on Thursday, the 31st, for our Bernini tour Livio brought our class to the Villa Borghese-- the museums that hold the fabulous collection of Cardinal Scipio Borghese. Here we saw four of Bernini's most famous (not to mention magnificent) sculptures: the Aeneas and Anchises, the Pluto and Persephone, the David, and the Apollo and Daphne. To see the genius of Bernini in person, to witness the outcome of his incredible skill, was astounding to say the least. The ability to make marble look like live flesh... and to do it before the age of 20... now that's what I call impressive.
And today, despite the rain, my roommate and I woke up early, braved the weather, and crossed the Tiber into Trastevere to browse the stalls of Porta Portese (a giant flea market held every Sunday). I never thought that I would want to get lost among such heaps of jewelry, antiques, art and clothing! Everywhere we turned, there were new things to see and massive piles of goods to be sorted through. I didn't end up spending much, but I really am very happy with the bargains I found.
So really, while I'm still adjusting, things here are great. Although I'm starting to miss my family a bit more (and the convenience of having a kitchen), I know that this opportunity is truly once in a lifetime, so I'm enjoying it while I can. What better place than Rome to CARPE DIEM?