Went to the studio today for orientation at 10am, then called the airline to check on my luggage. That's when I found out it was still in Chicago. *sigh*
After orientation, we walked around the neighborhood with Pia, the resident professor, who has lived here for 20 years. The studio is in the Jewish ghetto, but it has a very different connotation than what we're used to in the States.
We ate lunch at a pizza place by the studio which is sold by weight, rather than by the slice.
At 2, we met with Brenda, the painting professor, for another orientation but for the integrated studio arts students. When that was done, she showed us a couple different grocery stores and how the produce area worked (you have to weigh the food and get the price before going to the check out counter).
We kept walking and she showed us a few shops that are fun or cheap, and then just around a corner, she sat down. I looked around, realizing that the wall was curved. After a few seconds a thought hit me- oh my God, that's the Pantheon! The thought made me realize a little more that I was, in fact, in Rome, halfway around the world from where I live, and in the heart of the ancient art world.
After that, we went back to the apartment, then went shopping to try to find some clothes, then stopped at a little restaurant and had pizza/ pasta/ or a calzone, depending on which roommate you were.
Coming home, we made a quick stop for a bottle of wine, then had issues getting it open (the bottle opener wasn't very crafty in the sense that it relied on the user to pull the cork out, rather than using leverage). Dad, however, came to the rescue and helped us out- thanks, Dad!!! :D
Soon to come: first thoughts, impressions, and most important- pictures! Ciao!
About Me
- SM
- Des Moines, IA
- Many people don't realize how much effort goes into a production before it appears on the stage. This blog is to write about those efforts and help give the audience a greater appreciation for what they see. It's also meant to be educational, so if you have a question about anything, please don't hesitate to ask!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
GO!!!
So, this trip has been off to an.... adventurous start! Weather in Chicago delayed my MSP to Chicago flight by 3 hours, but delayed the Chicago to Rome flight by only 1 hour. This meant that between my flight touching down and unboarding, the connecting flight had closed its doors and was listed as having departed (only to find out later that the plane had sat there for an hour after the doors were shut).
After talking with two different travel agents, I was put onto a flight to Paris, which had been delayed long enough (due to the weather backup) that I could make it. This boarded around 6:30, and left shortly after, surprisingly only about 3/4 full.
After landing in Paris around 10am local time, I found the right terminal and gate with the help of a very kind muslim man and airport staff. Knowing Mom and Dad would start to panic if they hadn't heard from me by the time they woke up (per a prior agreement), I found a wi-fi center and sent them a quick email, then waited for my next plane from Paris to Rome to take off at 12:35. This- thankfully- was on time; though I didn't have to worry about connecting flights, I really wanted to stop traveling and be in Rome.
After finding out my luggage had been left in Chicago, I got a taxi to the housing office, only to find it closed. I made it to the apartment without too much difficultly around 5:30pm on Monday, though was glad when the right apartment was the first one I tried with the help of Jessi, the housing guy.
Once in the apartment, I was able to contact Mom and Dad and let them know everything was fine, I was alive, and had made it, even though my bag hadn't. Later is when I learned that the other students on the Chicago to Rome flight had been trying to get ahold of me- eventually calling Dad- and had been worried for me when the plane was boarding and I was no where in sight.
Anyway, at 7, there was a reception for us as a meet-and-greet for the professors as well as other students, filled with very tasty local food. The two mile walk isn't too bad, and I feel I could get used to it as the summer goes on, though it will depend on the weather as well.
Tomorrow holds an orientation at 10 for all the students, then Brenda- the painting professor- is going to show us the studio and we're going on a walking tour to orient ourselves with the city.
That's all for now, it's time to get some much needed rest. Good night!
After talking with two different travel agents, I was put onto a flight to Paris, which had been delayed long enough (due to the weather backup) that I could make it. This boarded around 6:30, and left shortly after, surprisingly only about 3/4 full.
After landing in Paris around 10am local time, I found the right terminal and gate with the help of a very kind muslim man and airport staff. Knowing Mom and Dad would start to panic if they hadn't heard from me by the time they woke up (per a prior agreement), I found a wi-fi center and sent them a quick email, then waited for my next plane from Paris to Rome to take off at 12:35. This- thankfully- was on time; though I didn't have to worry about connecting flights, I really wanted to stop traveling and be in Rome.
After finding out my luggage had been left in Chicago, I got a taxi to the housing office, only to find it closed. I made it to the apartment without too much difficultly around 5:30pm on Monday, though was glad when the right apartment was the first one I tried with the help of Jessi, the housing guy.
Once in the apartment, I was able to contact Mom and Dad and let them know everything was fine, I was alive, and had made it, even though my bag hadn't. Later is when I learned that the other students on the Chicago to Rome flight had been trying to get ahold of me- eventually calling Dad- and had been worried for me when the plane was boarding and I was no where in sight.
Anyway, at 7, there was a reception for us as a meet-and-greet for the professors as well as other students, filled with very tasty local food. The two mile walk isn't too bad, and I feel I could get used to it as the summer goes on, though it will depend on the weather as well.
Tomorrow holds an orientation at 10 for all the students, then Brenda- the painting professor- is going to show us the studio and we're going on a walking tour to orient ourselves with the city.
That's all for now, it's time to get some much needed rest. Good night!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ready... Set....
In 24 hours, I will be heading to the Minneapolis airport to fly to Rome. I'm nervous but excited. My bag is packed, and I'm ready to hit the ground running! I'll try to update this every few days, and post the occasional picture.
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