Capital Hill

I finally found out what that bizarre picture of the dog with eight nipples with two people under it means. (Thank goodness because it was starting to creep me out) It’s the she-wolf that Romulus and Remus, the twin boys who founded Rome, suckled on to stay alive once being abandoned by their parents. The sculpture is called the Capitoline Wolf.

Romulus & Remus created Rome upon seven hills: Aventine, Caelian, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal, Viminal and Capitoline. All of them are clustered around the bend of Tiber Island. We climbed Capital Hill in class, which wasn’t as tall as I expected it to be. But whatevaaaaa.. the view from the top of the hill was beautiful and made capital hill that much better. There was a perfect view of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Check it out, yo. 

euros love wine

Europeans love wine. I love wine. Therefore I am kind of like a European. The no drinking age law (or lack of law) is the best thing ever. Plus, the wine in italy doesn't have extra preservatives which means - no hangover. C'mon 'Merica get up to Europe's status.

Waaaay more vino choices in an Italian market than an American market. Plus all the wine is like one euro. Woohoo for cheap great wine.

Hot wine in Prague, Czech Republic. We bought it from a street vendor for 40 crowns (i still don't understand their currency). It tasted kinda like my mom's home made sangria and apple cider combined. Drinking wine in front of a castle? I don't hate it. I guess Europeans don't have a "No open alcohol law" either. 
..Seriously, come on America.

pesto

I don't eat anything green. Lettuce, peas, asparagus, zucchini - anything. You name it, I probably will refuse to put it anywhere near my mouth. Not because I don't like the taste, it's because the color makes me want to gag. So, coming to Roma and trying pesto was a BIG move for me. On our daily trip to the market, my roommates finally convinced me to try the slimy green goop, better known as pesto. After my first bite, I fell into a food coma. I actually think I fell in love with a non-animate object. I have since been incorporating the italian sauce on everything. While I'm living in Roma I want to learn how to make it from scratch. Pesto is made from a couple of ingredients - garlic, olive oil, salt, basil and cheese. Hopefully one day I can create home made dishes my famiglia will enjoy just as much as I do. 


Here are a couple of my favorite dishes I've made that using pesto:

Beef patty, chunks of asiago cheese,ciabatta bread & pesto

with french fries, salt, pepper, garlic powder

red vino, noodles, mussels, pesto & mozzarella 
(Okay, I didn't make this one..)

pipe rigate noodles, olio extravergine di oliva, asiago cheese, garlic powder & pesto

Tiber Island

Since I have been in Roma, Italy I have taken the tram more than twenty times already. Each time I ride, I pass an island. I have noticed there were a couple of buildings that have been built on it, but until this class I did not understand the significance behind it. The island is called Tiber Island, which makes sense because the Tiber River flows parallel to the small land mass. It’s the world’s smallest inhabited island that has only a few buildings such as a St. Bartholomeao church and a hospital. St. Bartholomeao church was built as a basilica church, which means it is a large hall. The beautiful columns inside of the church are all different types of materials, shapes and sizes. They have come from the temple of Aesculapius, which used to be on Tiber Island, and other ancient buildings. The reuse of ancient materials in a new context is called spoglia, which is exactly what these columns are considered. The hospital was originally built on the Tiber Island in order for diseases to not spread to the main land. I think it’s ironic that the church is named St. Bartholomeao (the healing saint) and the temple was named after Aesculapius (the god of healing), because both buildings were on this island across from a hospital. The river overflowing has deteriorated some things on the island, however you’re still able to see some of the remains of Aesculapius, which is awesome! (Picture underneath)

St. Bartholomeao church.

The original bridge that connected Tiber Island to Rome that still stands. 

Remains of Aesculapius: the serpent on the stick

Total Slacker

Hi, forgive me for slacking completely on this blog. I've been having such a great time with everyone in the program, I really haven't had time to write on here. Which is a good thing! I'd rather be too busy than too bored. It's officially been a little more than a week. I've been to so many buildings and monuments I can't even keep track. But, these have been my favorite this far..


1) The Victor Emmanuel Monument 

2) The Vatican

3) The Pantheon

4) Corte Di Cassazione

5) Trevi Fountain

Day 3

I've been so busy these past few days. It's been amazing! I feel like I'm in a dream, I can't believe this is real. Here's a few pictures! I start classes tomorrow.. i guess MLK day doesn't mean much in Italia. ciao!

goodbye america

 chinino&divito

sisterzzz

4 dayssss

today:

tomorrow:

tuesday:

wednesday:

thursday: ROMA!