Learning is fun!

I've finally finished my first week of classes here in Rome... thankfully, we don't have school on Friday, leaving more time for travels and exploring. It's been kind of hard adjusting to the hour and a half-long classes, and don't get me started on the fact that I have an 8:00 am class three days a week. But, as a friend reminded me, it's called "study abroad" for a reason, so study I must.

Despite the periodic interruptions of class, my time here has already been incredible. Rome is nothing like I imagined, and overwhelming on pretty much every level possible. But after one or two emotionally shaky days, I found myself able to really take stock of where I was. I've learned a lot about Italian life in these past few days, and even though they may seem random and obvious (actually, they are), my mom has been harassing me about posting, so I'll share my "wisdom."

1. Rome is huge/busy/full of people.
- Obvious observation number one. But I feel justified in the fact that there is no possible way to prepare a girl who has spent her entire life in the Midwest for the fast-paced life of Rome.

2. Italians speak Italian.
- Obvious observation number two. Before I left, my sister asked me if I was prepared for the fact that, when I landed in Rome, everyone would be speaking Italian. I wasn't. The first two days were positively terrifying as I realized that in order for me to eat, I would need to actually communicate with people. But I love catching snippits of people's conversations as I pass them on the street, I love being able to "order" food on my own in a foreign language, and I love the fact that 98% of the people I encounter are patient beyond reasonable belief with me (we won't talk about the other 2%).

Now for the random stuff:

3. Italians LOVE their dogs. They go everywhere with them. To stores, restaurants, bathrooms, bars, pretty much anywhere possible.
4. The hairdryers in look like vacuum cleaners. Maybe this is only true for our hotel, but it makes my morning routine much more amusing.
5. I have never walked so much in my life. But with places like the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and multiple piazzas within reasonable walking distances (plus everything there is to stumble upon in between), it's isn't uncommon for me to go on hikes two or three times a day. Which is good, because...
6. I have never eaten so much in my life. Okay, that might be an exaggeration. But the food is easily the best I've ever had (a million apologies, Mom). Everything just seems to be bursting with flavor. Even the bread and the coffee send me into fits of happiness. Sometimes, the food is so fantastic, all I can do is sit there and stare at it for a bit. This has happened quite a bit.
7. Gelato is, without a doubt, the most amazing thing ever conceived by man. I really don't understand why other countries aren't getting on this. Then again, it's probably a good thing. I may never be able to eat ice cream again.
8. In Rome, pedestrians never have the right of way. Red lights are also optional.
8a. The only exception to this: nuns.
8b. The fact that nuns are everywhere makes me unimaginably happy.
9. Cobblestones are the worst idea ever for paving a city. I know that Rome is ancient and all that, but seriously. Those things are a death trap. I see Italian women strut down the street in heels without faceplanting, whereas I struggle in flats. Sometimes, the gaps between the stones are so big you could fall in. You can always tell the real Italians from the tourists based on how many times they trip walking down the street.
10. People drive down these tiny side streets all the time, crawling along in their Audi's and BMW's, always about to run someone over. I've had cars stop within inches of my shins. It's also amazing to see people just walking in the middle of the street, scooting aside only begrudgingly to make room for a bus or ambulance, leaving about 2 inches of clearance without flinching. Insanity.

The only thing that makes me angry/sad/depressed is the fact that Italian women have warmly embraced the travesty that is "leggings as pants." Here I am, at the epicenter of fashion, and this is what people spend their money on. Disgusting.