And just around the corner.....

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!