Week 1-- Excursions

Since I have experienced so much during my first week and second weekend in Italy, I had to write about my trips in a separate blog posting. My first weekend and week here in Carpi were pretty low-key. I spent time with Paolo, Nellina and Giulia and got to know them better. Nellina took me shopping at the factory outlet mall in Monteva and to the shops in the actual factories here in Carpi. Carpi's main industry is textiles, so many of the factories for the high end clothign companies are located here in Carpi, and many of those factories have little shops were you can get the merchandise for almost half the store price! Yay! Other than shopping and eating nonstop, I settled into a routine of school in the morning, some activities with the other American students in the afternoon and usually dinner with the family. The excitement came when Paolo, Nell and I went to Rome then Ravenna!

Rome was absolutely amazing and tiring! We had to leave the house by 6 to catch our train, which was at least a 4 hour ride. Once we got to Rome, I was awe-struck. The traffic and noise reminds me of NYC, but the buildings (even the new apartment buildings) are stunning. The part of Rome that I will never forget is walking through the streets crowded with people on their way to work or from the bakery, and BAM--Colosseum or ancient ruins! We took the tour around Rome (great deal!) to save time and to cut out

the amount we would be walking throughout the day. We saw St Peter's Basilica (although we did not get to go inside, the line for entrance was rapped around the entire piazza, which is the largest piazza in Italy), the Trevy Fountain, Spanish Steps (I drank the water from the fountain in front of them and got a rose),  the ruins, Piazza Navona, and so many more things! I wish I could remember the names of all the beautiful buildings, duomos (cathedrals), palaces, monuments, statues, etc, but there were so many of them everywhere! I sadly did not get to see the Colosseum except for from the street due to time restraints. I am deciding to look at this as a reason to return to Rome (as if I needed one!) With the insane heat, blistering sun and what felt like miles of walking--lunch was a very important part of the day! In Rome, there are ristoranti, trattatori, and  hosterias. Ristoranti are more expensive and tend to have a more upscale atmosphere, while the other two are whole in the wall places--all of which have the best food you will ever taste! Nell and I got different kinds of pasta a shared, and we all shared a Italian sampler for antipasti (appetizer--"before pasta"). Everything that I ate was so full of flavor that I took my time eating so that I could revel in every bite! I remember sitting there, eating an amazing lunch, and being stunned that I was actually having lunch in Rome. I have always dreamt of coming to Italy! Seeing many of the things that I have now seen--I am so blessed! I can never thank Paolo and Nellina enough for helping me to achieve, not only my dream of visiting Rome, but also for welcoming me into their home and their culture.

Ravenna was not nearly as exciting as Rome, but was very appreciated. Paolo and Nellina have an apartment on the shore of Ravenna, so when we got there, we had an amazing lunch and went straight to the beach. Nell played with Giulia in the water as I took a much needed nap basking in the Mediterranean sun :)




That is all for tonight! Although I already have a never ending supply of stories and experiences to share, my energy is dwindling! More to come later! Ciao!