My Italian Adventure, T-39 days
Hi!
Sorry it’s been so long since my previous postings, but as I’ve spent the majority of the last two months studying calc, I made the grownup decision to spare you the goings on of that debacle. Nonetheless, that part of the summer (I call it Summer: Stateside) has adjourned and somehow, within 6 hours of it ending, I boarded a plane and flew to Rome for Study Abroad. I know not a single soul. Well, except my trusty best friend Rick Steves, who I plan on hanging out with when I’m not sleeping, studying, or consuming large and disgusting amounts of ice cream.
The adventure began yesterday when Cliff and Ann drove me to the airport to say goodbye to their favorite spawn. It was a little intense to go through airport security, get on a plane, and fly halfway around the world solo. I realize that it’s all about self growth and discovery and yada yada, but that doesn’t mean it’s not freaking scary.
Delta and Northwest Airlines, in case you aren’t aware, have merged and still have some kinks to work out. The flight, although successful and did in fact, go to Rome, left a little to be desired. The temperature was out of control freezing and my nose was so cold that I literally had to lift my shirt over my face in order to breathe hot air onto myself. The flight attendants couldn’t decide really what time it was, that is, if the flight was going to run according to Roman time or Michigan time. So, we were served dinner at 10:45 pm Michigan time and served breakfast at 10 am Roman time–which is 4 am Michigan Time. None of those times are actually times when one eats any of those meals. I also should comment that for some of the flight attendants, it was their first time flying to Europe. Ever. So, when questions like, “my flight connects in fifty minutes” came up, they responded that those people would presumably be “totally fine.” Mhmm. Going through customs, rechecking baggage, and finding their gate–all in fifty minutes. Totally going to happen–especially when we were ten minutes late!
After getting off the plane, I made my way through customs–which aren’t anything like US customs. I didn’t have to fill out any paperwork, they didn’t ask anything about what I brought over. Just smiled and stamped my passport. Welcome to Rome.
I met up with some other people who were going to be going to my school (including a gentleman from a small Michigan college who assured me that he was pretty positive he was staying “in the vatican.” What, snuggling up with the pope?) and a girl who turned out to be my roommate, Jenny. This is my first experience sharing a bedroom with someone–let’s hope I learn to pick my clothing up off the floor.
I have to say, as much as I enjoy a journey of self discovery, I’m a little homesick already. I miss my family and my boyfriend, and I miss having someone to go for walks with and my puppy. But, it’s only 39 days (Paris Hilton was in jail longer than that) and I have internet, which means I can pretty much talk to everyone all the time. And of course, I can keep my fabulous readers (all two of you) in suspense day in and day out :)
Anywhos, I’ll have more details as they come. Love love love :)