Day 17

Capitoline Museum!

On Friday, we went to the Capitoline Museum! It was wicked awesome, and we saw some artistic master pieces. For example, we started off by observing the remains of the colossal statue of Constantine:

 

Here is a shot of all the body part fragments:

We also saw the famous Wolf of the Capitol:

 

This statue depicts Romulus and Remus being raised by a she-wolf. This is only part of the legendary beginnings of Rome. To read to whole story follow this link. Though Romulus and Remus seem like they are supposed to be part of the statue, they were actually added later. The original bronze wolf was a symbol of unity between two towns living on two of the original seven hills of Rome.

Next, we saw the statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. As you can see, the statue is huge:

Jordan looks rather dumbstruck because the horse just kicked him in the head! After that, we found another famous Roman, Brutus:

"Et tu Brute?" After this, we were fortunate enough to stumble onto a painting that I did not know was in this museum. Romulus and Remus by Rubens:

You can tell this is a Rubens because of the Rubenesque (fat) babies. The next highlight (and my personal favorite) was this red marble statue of a faun:

It used to be in Emperor Hadrian's villa. It was a really fun day, well worth the visit! We will be posting all of the pictures on Facebook at some point.


After, we ate pizza downtown, and then grabbed gelato. We went back to JFORCE and watched the first star wars movie and then went to bed.

Day 15

Day 15 (Wednesday)

• Today we had our normal 09:30 Wednesday class: Modern Italian History. We had to turn in our proposals for the research papers we will have to submit at the end of the semester.
• Ben's thesis revolves around How the Catholic Church publicly reacted to Nazi Germany's treatment of the Jews during WWII and how that affected Italian thought on the topic.
• My thesis will analyze the views of the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia with the views of the Republic of Venice during the time of the French Revolution and Napoleon's two invasions of Italy in 1796 and 1801, looking at the two Italian states' opinions of the Revolution and France's occupations first as Republican and then as Imperialistic (hopefully it will be more exciting than that sounded).
• Following class we had lunch at Mensa, consuming our normal helping of delicious pasta. Following Mensa we did some homework and got ahead with the work for the rest of the week.

At around 3:00 we played an epic game of ultimate Frisbee - ultimate because my team won (again) [Note: My team has won every game thus far; 8-0, 7-1, 12-2]

• Following Frisbee we got cleaned up and dressed because we had Mass of the Holy Spirit later in the evening at 7:30. The church, Sant'Ignazio de Loyola was absolutely beautiful in its architecture and paintings. We had a very beautiful Mass with all of our fellow friends from JFRC.  The service was very nice, and I got to read petitions and be a Eucharistic Minister (which resulted in a large amount of wine consumption, but that is another story....)
• 
  
  
  
   
   
  
   
     After Mass we split up and went to various restaurants around Rome, I happened to have a horrible spot in line, resulting in me getting split apart from other groups of friends. However, it was a blessing in disguise as I went with Mr. Mike Beezley (our bad-ass guy in charge of the students) to a special restaurant he got our group into and it was by far the best. I sat with some new friends - Lauren, Fernando, Mary, and Tori. This was by far the best food I have had in Italy (which is saying a lot). 
   
  After dinner we went back to campus and played cards, ping-pong, and Fusz Ball.
•  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Day 14

 Yes, yes we know day 13 is missing. Since the number 13 is generally considered unlucky, we will honor an ancient Roman tradition and say nefasti, allowing us to skip the day. Half a league, half a league, half a league more!

Day 14 (This past Tuesday)

8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

We had to wake up earlier today because our Roman Catholicism class was on site today, meaning we go somewhere in Rome to have class. Today, our class was in St. Peters!

Here is a video of the inside:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151092220396985

The red circular stone on the floor of the basilica you see in the video is the same stone Charlamange knelt on while he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope in 800.  It was really cool inside, lots of famous works of art like Micheangelo's Pieta, which, unfortunately, is behind bullet proof glass:

We also saw the Baldacchino designed by Bernini:

 
After seeing the basilica, we were able to go down into the grotto and see the tombs of popes like John Paul I. Unfortunately, no pictures are allowed to be taken down there.It was a nice introduction to St. Peter's, but we have already decided we will be going back to spend more time there.

12:30-12 a.m.

We went back to the Rome center, ate lunch, and then did homework for most of the afternoon. It was our friend Thomas' birthday, so after his last class finished at 9 p.m., We went into the city and got McDonald's (we were feeling American) and gelato! We then went back home and went to sleep.

Quote of the Day

Everywhere we go in Rome, these street venders try to sell us these green laser points. I myself have probably refused to buy 40 of them already. Our friend Thomas was fed up with them and said the following:

"I want to buy one so that I can shine it in their face the next time they ask me if I want to buy one"

Tuscany, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain Albums

Hello faithful followers! Sorry we are kind of behind on the blog, we are working to get everything updated. The week following the Tuscany trip might be slightly abbreviated in order to get back on schedule. In any case, here are the links to the complete Albums of our recent escapades. Below them are some samples. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/messages/?action=read&tid=id.283067301802032#!/media/set/?set=a.10151092229511985.436122.614946984&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/messages/?action=read&tid=id.283067301802032#!/media/set/?set=a.10151092187371985.436108.614946984&type=3

The Oculus of the Pantheon:

 

The Trevi Fountain sculpted by Bernini (my favorite sculptor):  

Day 12

Day 12 (Last Day in Tuscany)

9-11:30 a.m.

Breakfast at the hotel, we then board the buses for Lago Trasimeno (Lake Transimene)

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

We took a morning cruise around the Lake! Our guide told us a lot about the history of the area. This place is famous as a battleground in the classical world. Hannibal and his forces decisively beat a Roman army along it shores.Here is a video that sums up the battle pretty well; the only additional information you need to know is that the Carthaginians executed their plan perfectly, driving the Roman army into the lake's icy waters...

On a more light-hearted note, one of the islands in the middle of the lake, Saint Francis underwent a period of fasting and prayer for an extended amount of time.

The lake's name comes from legend. An Etruscan prince named Trasimeno was put in charge of the area by his father, and it was known that he loved wandering the shores of the lake. However, while walking along the shore one day, he met a water nymph and fell madly in love.  The feeling was mutual, but the nymph realized she could not live with him out of water. So, she dragged him into the water and he was never seen again. The Etruscan king named the lake in memory of his lost son.

2:30-7 p.m.

We ate another 5 course Tuscan meal for lunch over looking the lake. Then, we loaded up on the buses and drove the 3 hour drive back to Roma!

7 p.m. - 12 a.m.

We ate dinner at Mensa, then we did homework and went to bed. It was a very busy weekend, but also extremely fun!

Quote of the Day
"Good thing tomorrow is Monday. I love Mondays, we don't do anything."(Me to Jordan on Sunday night; we only have one class at 2:00 on Mondays.)

Italian Culture
They take their history very seriously. They are still sensitive about the Roman loss at Lake Trasimeno. For example, no one is allowed to go look for old Roman gear with a metal detector around the lake. 

Day 11

Day 11 (Tuscany Day 2)

9-11:30 a.m.

We woke up and ate breakfast at the hotel. We then boarded the buses for our next stop in Tuscany--Anghiari!

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Anghiari is a small city, and we were free to walk around for a few hours. While walking, we found an old castle stronghold that we were able to explore:

Jordan found a small window crevice to hide in and do his best impersonation of Gollum (MY PRECIOUSSSSSSS! AGGGGGGGHHHHHH!): 

 Anghiari is a beautiful place, and there are more pictures on facebook under the Tuscany album. However, Our camera died here, so we do not have any more pictures from the trip xD. But, I will do what I can to give you a visual with hyperlinks and whatnot. 

1-3:30 p.m.

We at another 5 course Tuscan meal. I had the best sausage I have ever tasted. it was extremely filling. 

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Bus ride to our next stop, Sansepolcro!

4:30-6:30 p.m.

We had a guided tour of the city for about an hour and then had free time to do whatever. 

We saw another artistic masterpiece in this city-- The Resurrection by Piero della Francesca:

 This painting is actually saved the town from destruction in World War II, here is the story:

"Sansepolcro was spared much damage during World War 2 when British artillery officer Tony Clarke defied orders and held back from using his troop's guns to shell the town. Although Clarke had never seen the fresco he remembered where he had heard of Sansepolcro and ordered his men to hold their fire. Clarke had read Huxley's essay on 'The Resurrection' where it was described as the world's "greatest picture". It was later ascertained that the Germans had already retreated from the area — the bombardment hadn't been necessary. The town, along with its famous painting, survived. When the events of the episode eventually became clear, Clarke was lauded as a local hero and to this day a street in Sansepolcro bears his name."

 Another fun fact about Sansepolcro is that the Bertoni family opened the first pasta making factory here. As you probably know, the name now is recognized around the world!


After the tour, we had free time to walk around. However, there was a medieval crossbow shooting rehearsal going on in the main square, so we watched that the entire time. It was awesome!


6:30 p.m.-12 a.m.

 We went back to the hotel, showered, ate a 5 course 2 hour long dinner, played cards for awhile, and then went to bed.

  
Quote of the day

Jordan quoted this famous line from a Tennyson poem. Haha for those of you who did not get it, watch this link.

Day 10 (Last Friday)

   Day 10 (Last Friday).... TUSCANY!

7-10:45 a.m.

We boarded the bus for Tuscany. Our friends Thomas and Courtney were on the blue bus (A.K.A the cool bus) with me, but Jordan was sentenced to be on purple bus.... Defeat is bitter indeed for any Roman.

11a.m. -1 p.m.

Our first stop was the city of Cortona! Here is a great view from the city walls:

We had a guided tour of the city, and we visited a church with some great paintings. There is an especially famous fresco by the artist Fra Angelico located here called The Annunciation.

1-3:30 p.m.

Lunch! Apparently, Italians really like to eat, and they really take their time doing so. We have a 5 course Tuscan meal. It was molto buona (very good).

4-6 p.m.

We go to our next stop, Arezzo! Here is a view of the town:

We had another guided tour, here is a link to a video of the main piazza:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151093889926985

We also got to visit several churches, and inside one of them we saw this fresco of Mary Magdalene by Piero della Franchesca:

In this fresco, her hair is wet as a reminder of her washing Jesus' feet with her hair (although, I had thought that it was another woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair, so I did some research and this is what I found). The cup she is holding contains perfume and is supposed to be reminiscent of her going to anoint Jesus' body at the tomb and then finding it empty.


Also, we saw another church with a bent column:

 

There are two different legends as to why this occurred.  The first story claims that the architect did not receive all the money he was promised, so he created the column this way to spite his patron. The second story is more mysterious. You will notice that the top of the column has a bull's head, which apparently was the symbol of the devil in medieval Europe. So the story goes that God sent angels to smash down the column since it was a representation of the devil. 

7 p.m.-12 a.m.

We went back to the hotel, checked in, cleaned up, ate another 5 course meal at the hotel restaurant, and then went to bed.

Quote of the Day
 "What's up purple bus?" (Me to Jordan after we got off the buses, this is his new nickname).

Italian Culture
Our bus drivers are wicked good at driving big buses through small places.It must be the design of the buses. I saw them make corners that I probably couldn't make with my 1994 Honda Accord.

Day 8 and Day 9

Day 8

Hello from Rome! Sorry we have been slow on the blog lately, but we intend to get caught up soon! This post will cover last Wednesday and Thursday.

9:30 a.m.-12:30p.m.

We woke up and went to modern Italian history class. It was pretty interesting. It is a long class, but our teacher is nice and gives us a break half way through.

12:30-2:30 p.m.

We ate lunch at Mensa and then did some homework.

3-6 p.m.

We visited the Pantheon! Here is a view from the front:

 

 The Pantheon was originally constructed as a pagan temple by Agrippa in honor of Augustus Caesar. It has been since converted into a Christian church. Here is a link to the video of the inside:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151093863926985

After exiting the Pantheon, Jordan photo bombed a picture with some Roman soldiers. He looks really confused because he thought that Rome had fallen thousand of years ago:

  

5-6 p.m.

We then went to the Trevi Fountain! Here is a link to a video:

 http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151092205846985

6-9 p.m.

We met up with some friends of our friend Thomas. We then decided to find a good place to eat by getting good and lost away from the city center. Huge success! Found a place that has a wicked muscles and calamari marinara.

9 p.m.-12 a.m.

We went back to the Rome Center, did some homework, and then went to bed!

Day 9

9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

We woke up and went to Ancient Greek Art class. Our professor is very interesting, and he seems really nice. Jordan had trouble staying awake though because the professor refused to turn on the lights for class. We went over the Minoan culture and looked at some of the remains of the Great Palace of Knossos.

12:30-2 p.m.

We ate lunch in Mensa. Good stuff.

2-3 p.m.

Italian class. It is actually pretty fun. It is not too difficult so far. I learned that "presto" means "hurry up!"

3-8 p.m.

Did homework, checked email, did laundry, ate dinner. 

8:30-9:45 p.m.

Played some basketball! It was fun! There is a court right behind the dorms.

10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Packed and got ready for our trip to Tuscany.

Pictures

Here are some pictures of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum! For those of you who do not know, Our complete albums of pictures can be found at the follow links: 

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151079715156985.433859.614946984&type=3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151079715156985.433859.614946984&type=3

 

Though a few previews will be posted here, most pictures will be on Facebook. Enjoy!

 

Day 7

Day 7

9:15 a.m.

·         Woke up, got ready for class. The weather is not great. Lots of much needed rain for Rome.

9:30-12:20

·         Class:Roman Catholicism

o   Pretty interesting, just went over some introductory things today. This class will be partially “on site” meaning that every other week we go to a church for class. (Next week is St. Peters)

o   We took a break about half way through class and got a cornetta (a pastry). Eo vorre un cornetto: “I would like a cornetto.”

o   Class resumed with some syllabus talk.

o   Class ran about 20 minutes late.

12:30-1:40

·         Ate lunch in the Mensa

2-2:55

·         Italian Class

o   Worked specifically on how certain letters and letter combinations are pronouced.

§  i.e.    ce is pronounced “chay” while che is pronounced “kay”

3-5 p.m.

·         Got our books and school study trips paid for. Very inexpensive!

5-6 p.m.

·         Checked email, yahoo, ogame, etc.

6-7 p.m.

·         Ate dinner in the Mensa

7-9:30

·         Did some italian listeing homework. Found a youtube video of this kid show that sings the Italian alphabet. We now can sing the Italian aphabet just like they do. Here is a link to the video we used (its absurd to think we are actually studying while listening to this):

o   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMdGbVWrifc&feature=fvwrel

·         Also, we looked up movie, book, and tv shows so that we could put a good charades game together.

10 p.m. -1 a.m.

·         Jordan taught Tom, Courtne, and me how to play hearts. It is actually a really fun game! Then bed time!

Quote of the Day

·         “I can’t roll my ‘r’s. When I try, I just end up sounding like an Italian wookie.” –Ben

·         Ben: “I bet you one Euro that you (Jordan) will lose.” (5 minutes later, I owed Jordan a Euro)

Italian Cultural Quirks

·         The southern Italians think the Northern Italians are stuck up. Northern Italians think southern Italians are lazy.

·         Italians are the craziest parkers I have ever seen. I am going to post pictures of the craziest parking jobs at some point.