The Italy Diet

I was noticing how much Carson has been eating since I got here. I mentioned to him that he was eating more than I’d ever seen him eat. He said it’s because he’s been walking so much more than he ever has before. I told him it’s a good thing. Gary said he’s been eating less than he does at home and that was also a good thing. He called it the “Italy Diet” – every time you go to the cupboard for a snack you have to pay $5. Should cut down on between-meal eats!

There Ought to be a Law

Or there probably already is--helmets. Everybody on a scooter (and the rare motorcycle) wears a helmet. At first I thought how conscientious they all are. But then it occurred to me that no one on a bike wears a helmet, but everybody on the scooters do. Must be a law that gets enforced (as opposed to ones that don't get enforced, like smoking in the train station).

On the subject of scooters, Maren finds it funny to see women in high heels riding them. I love the men in business suits with their ties flapping in the wind. They are all crazy drivers though--I've even seen them drive up on the sidewalk. Carson says you take your life in your hands to cross the streets. I say that applies to the sidewalks as well!

Thoughts During the Ride

It was hard to concentrate, but some of my first thoughts while riding in a taxi from the airport outside the city to our apartment include:

*Lots of oleander bushes in bloom. I remember these from my childhood in Arizona, but these are much bigger and have LOTS more flowers.

*I wasn’t expecting to see palm trees, but there are some here.

*Hay fields full of bales ready to be loaded up—just like at home. Except outside of Rome the fields aren’t flat, they are more rolling, like in the Midwest.

*All the cars are really small. Even the delivery trucks are smaller than American ones. After a few days I’ve still only seen a couple of cars that look like the size we have at home. Carson said he did see a Hummer before I got here, but even that was an H3.

*Humidity!

Gelato

Flavors tried so far:
strawberry
hazelnut
nutella
panna cotta
banana
mango
pink grapefruit
lemon
pistachio
cream
chocolate

It's All About Survival

After all the hype about giving everyone the address of this blog, it's been disappointly lacking in posts. That's because it's all been about surviving day to day(often hour to hour!). Gary & Carson have been working hard every day to get so much done for the program and for themselves (you know, basics, like toilet paper and food) that there has been NO time left for silly little things like blogging. I thought that would all change now that I'm here and can take over some of the duties. Well, maybe, maybe not. Serious jet lag, heat, and computer problems are all contributing to my less than enthusiastic introduction to Rome. I'm sure that a couple more days (and some sleep)will bring greater perspective and a happier AnneMarie who will be able to post wonderful insights and photos, but for now, it's all about survival.

The Adventure Begins

BYU Study Abroad in Rome & Greece, Summer Term 2009

Gary and Carson left Salt Lake City at 3:00 pm on Monday July 6 and arrived in Rome 19 hours later (Tuesday evening Rome time). Unfortunately, Gary's luggage didn't arrive with him. Some of the students had the same problem, but I suppose with this many people it's bound to happen (40 students, 2 faculty plus family members).

First thing Wednesday morning they were able to attend a general audience with the pope. It was a ticketed event, so they were expecting the size of maybe a stake conference, but were surprised to find themselves numbered among about 10,000 other people. (They will have to post about the experience since they were there and I wasn't.) On the bright side, Gary's luggage arrived, the A/C works in the apartment, and they've already had pizza and gelato.

Roller Coaster Ride

Not at an amusement park this time (see my previous post), just the roller coaster of life. Trying to get everyone ready to leave for various trips combined with PMS isn't a good thing. I've been crabby, teary-eyed, angry, excited, and above all TIRED! But as of 7:50 am on Monday July 6, Maren is at the stake center waiting for the bus ride to girls' camp, Aubrey is finishing up in the shower so he can be at the church in ten minutes for the "Amazing Race"-Venturer style (4 days in Moab), and Gary & Carson are all packed and ready (I think) to leave for the airport in a few hours to begin the Italian adventure. Me? I think I will take a nap this afternoon before tackling the destruction left in the wake of all this travel preparation...