These first couple of weeks in Rome have been tough, mostly because it's been hard to meet people. Most everyone here came with friends and it's been difficult breaking into groups. But hey, to know me is to love me.
Last night, I called my friend Tina that I met on the plane. She's one of the few people here that actually look Italian, and very sociable. She's also 4'11", which is a lot funnier than it sounds when she stands next to my 6'7" frame.
We planned on a movie in English, went to grab some pizza and ended up talking for 4 hours. Completely missed the movie! Oh well, I have more fun talking.
Turns out, she's in the same situation I am right now: not quite fitting in, but very sociable and outgoing, really trying to connect with people here in Rome. It's like I found my long lost best friend! We had a great conversation and ended the night with some of the best strawberry gelato I've ever had(well, the only strawberry gelato I've had, but still).
We talked about a lot, but it reminded me of a conversation my friend Tim and I had. I talk to just about everyone I can, I love making friends and she's the same way. But that doesn't mean we're interested in everyone we meet.
Tim, one of my best friends, and I talked about this before I left; how friendships with the opposite sex NOT based on attraction can really be quite rewarding. Everyone makes mistakes or misinterprets things, but I feel almost insulted when people immediately interpret friendliness as romantic interest.
I've had some great friendships with women(Lindsey . . I hope you're reading this) that weren't based on attraction, and some great conversations with women about life( becca, isn't now just great?). Why does everything have to be shallow? Why does everyone of the opposite sex, or of the same sex, have to offer me something in return?
People immediately assume you're pursuing something. Why does that always have to be the case? It takes a lot of humility and maturity to accept friendships in all shapes and sizes. They don't always come from where you expect.
Rudz
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Photography expedition through Rome 1/27
After an invigorating couple of hours doing my email, I went to the Anglo-American Bookstore in Rome to buy my books. I took my camera along, know that there are always photo opportunities wherever you go. I wasn't disappointed.
On the way there, I put my camera bag in front of me and rested my camera on that, using my thumb to press the shutter release as I walked. With all the noise, it was actually a very effective way of taking picture inconspicuously. Most people never caught on to what I was doing(although a few did as you can see in my photos).
Quite a lot of fun.
After I paid the bookstore inflated prices for 1 of my 3 books, I kept taking pictures, and found my way to the Castle on the north side of the Tiber. The light was magic, just perfect. Really strong evening light for long shadows. There were vendors out, street performers, and a good sized crowd. I was really happy with the results, especially with a few of them. If you want to see all my photos, check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/rudz1985 for the rest of them.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
First impressions
Here it is, my second week in Italy, and I haven't even posted to my blog! I've been so busy with registration, exploring and photography(of course) that I haven't taken the time to really settle down and blog.
After climbing the hill to the lookout point behind my apartment at Piazza della Rovere, it became apparent that Rome will take your breath away. Rome, for all its grittiness, is magnificently beautiful. No other city on earth will politely greet you, budge in line, steal quietly from your pocket and serve you chocolate gelato all in one go.
On my arrival in Rome, I hot footed it to the Vatican for my first site and I must say, the Vatican at night is an entirely different experience. Right now until February 3rd, there is a large Manger scene in St. Peter's Square, perhaps the largest Manger scene in the world. The scene, the size of a small house, surrounds the obelisk in the center of the Square by a 50 foot radius and includes a Manger on a ~7-10 stage, at least 50 foot tall Christmas tree and a full entourage of manikins, plastic animals and of course, Vatican police. Get your tickets now!
I wouldn't come to Rome especially for the Manger, but if you're in the area, it is worth seeing.
However, one event you should not miss is Mass at The Vatican, which I had the privilege of attending on Sunday. Absolutely amazing. I came early for 4 pm mass(16:00 Roman time), and had no problem getting through security(yes, you can bring a camera, backpack, and babies, but they scan everything). Once through and past the fountain by Carlo Maderno, the long promenade before the steps to St. Peters seems much longer than it appears, and to the right the Pope's window overlooks the long line to The Basilica.
Ask a guard "Scusa, parla inglese?" Excuse me, do you speak english?" and most will say yes. The first one I asked pointed inside and said "to the back of the Church you will find mass." I had to keep asking once I entered because I was so overwhelmed.
The Vatican isn't just the church, not just the Basilica, it's the center of all Catholicism. The focal point of 1.1 billion believers is most impressive.
Immediately to the right is the Pieta, as in Michelangelo's Pieta. One of the greatest works of art of all time. It's much smaller than I had imagined, maybe no more than 5 feet tall, and placed on a pedestal of marble.
Walking further in, I found Pope John XXIII's grave on the right aisle of the Church. It was one of the more popular sites for tourists, but not unobtainable.
Further down to the right, I was happy to find a place for confession, which is heard every day and I believe before each mass(you can find them online). Just ask the man at the gate and he'll let you through.
For mass, I again had to ask for directions and was bewildered when I realized 'the back of the church' meant the great stained glass window with the Holy Spirit in it, past St. Peter's grave. I told the guard I was there for Mass and he let me through(if you're not there for Mass, you stand in the back with the rest of the non-believers! Just kidding, you can get through and attend Mass even if you're not Catholic).
Mass was incredible, but all in Italian so I didn't understand a word of it. I plan on going there as much as possible, more to come!
ciao!
Rudz
After climbing the hill to the lookout point behind my apartment at Piazza della Rovere, it became apparent that Rome will take your breath away. Rome, for all its grittiness, is magnificently beautiful. No other city on earth will politely greet you, budge in line, steal quietly from your pocket and serve you chocolate gelato all in one go.
On my arrival in Rome, I hot footed it to the Vatican for my first site and I must say, the Vatican at night is an entirely different experience. Right now until February 3rd, there is a large Manger scene in St. Peter's Square, perhaps the largest Manger scene in the world. The scene, the size of a small house, surrounds the obelisk in the center of the Square by a 50 foot radius and includes a Manger on a ~7-10 stage, at least 50 foot tall Christmas tree and a full entourage of manikins, plastic animals and of course, Vatican police. Get your tickets now!
I wouldn't come to Rome especially for the Manger, but if you're in the area, it is worth seeing.
However, one event you should not miss is Mass at The Vatican, which I had the privilege of attending on Sunday. Absolutely amazing. I came early for 4 pm mass(16:00 Roman time), and had no problem getting through security(yes, you can bring a camera, backpack, and babies, but they scan everything). Once through and past the fountain by Carlo Maderno, the long promenade before the steps to St. Peters seems much longer than it appears, and to the right the Pope's window overlooks the long line to The Basilica.
Ask a guard "Scusa, parla inglese?" Excuse me, do you speak english?" and most will say yes. The first one I asked pointed inside and said "to the back of the Church you will find mass." I had to keep asking once I entered because I was so overwhelmed.
The Vatican isn't just the church, not just the Basilica, it's the center of all Catholicism. The focal point of 1.1 billion believers is most impressive.
Immediately to the right is the Pieta, as in Michelangelo's Pieta. One of the greatest works of art of all time. It's much smaller than I had imagined, maybe no more than 5 feet tall, and placed on a pedestal of marble.
Walking further in, I found Pope John XXIII's grave on the right aisle of the Church. It was one of the more popular sites for tourists, but not unobtainable.
Further down to the right, I was happy to find a place for confession, which is heard every day and I believe before each mass(you can find them online). Just ask the man at the gate and he'll let you through.
For mass, I again had to ask for directions and was bewildered when I realized 'the back of the church' meant the great stained glass window with the Holy Spirit in it, past St. Peter's grave. I told the guard I was there for Mass and he let me through(if you're not there for Mass, you stand in the back with the rest of the non-believers! Just kidding, you can get through and attend Mass even if you're not Catholic).
Mass was incredible, but all in Italian so I didn't understand a word of it. I plan on going there as much as possible, more to come!
ciao!
Rudz
Friday, January 12, 2007
Packing is simple
A word about packing: pack light.
I have an enormous amount of admiration for my roommate, for Rick Steves and for anyone else who can travel halfway around the world and take the bare minimum with them. And still get by. I remember hastily stuffing underwear into Ziploc bags the night before I left for London a few years ago. My father was frantically arranging the alarms on lights and a radio(yes, a high level of home security at this household) while we tossed our clothes into bags.
I don't mind packing last minute. It's a little nervewracking, granted, but packing isn't that big of a deal. Mr. Rick Steves, travel author and european travel veteran, travels Europe every summer
and lives out of a backpack. As in the one you take to school, not one of those huge hiking backpacks that I'm taking.
There's something to be said about living out off so little. A) there's less to worry about, and B) it shows you either really know what you're doing or you haven't a clue.
I'd like to think I'm the former, but I've already filled up one suitcase and my wash just got done. Ando a Italia!
Rudz
I have an enormous amount of admiration for my roommate, for Rick Steves and for anyone else who can travel halfway around the world and take the bare minimum with them. And still get by. I remember hastily stuffing underwear into Ziploc bags the night before I left for London a few years ago. My father was frantically arranging the alarms on lights and a radio(yes, a high level of home security at this household) while we tossed our clothes into bags.
I don't mind packing last minute. It's a little nervewracking, granted, but packing isn't that big of a deal. Mr. Rick Steves, travel author and european travel veteran, travels Europe every summer
and lives out of a backpack. As in the one you take to school, not one of those huge hiking backpacks that I'm taking.
There's something to be said about living out off so little. A) there's less to worry about, and B) it shows you either really know what you're doing or you haven't a clue.
I'd like to think I'm the former, but I've already filled up one suitcase and my wash just got done. Ando a Italia!
Rudz
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