Spagna

Hello hello! It was a nice lazy Sunday here in Roma. I woke up early and had a nice yoga and meditation practice, then took my first shower in the apartment with hot water HOORAY! Thank goodness we figured out that hot water switch, my past couple showers were even worse than the "briskness" of the cowpasture river. Literally I thought my brain was going to freeze inside my head. So yay for not having to worry about that anymore!

Kaylie's cousin was in town for a few days visiting with her high school, so we headed towards their group to meet up. Luckily, they were in a new part of Rome that we had never visited before: Spagna (what they call Spain). This is where the Spanish Steps are and a really cool piazza called Piazza del Popolo. There were all kinds of neat statues there, and the Santa Maria del Popolo churches (some of my favorite buildings so far). When I get enough internet access to put up pictures you guys are going to think I'm SO BORING because I'm just absolutely amazed by all the art and architecture. I think I only have like 2 pictures with me in them so far out of the 334 I've taken! I figure when my parents come visit they'll be all about the "GET IN THIS ONE" pictures, so I'm not worried:)

We met up with Kaylie's cousin's group right around lunch time, so we went into a little bar (that's what they call cafes here). I wasn't too hungry for lunch yet, so I got a small gelato. The flavors are definitely a trial and error kind of thing. Pineapple is a no go, but yogurt and fruit is a YES PLEASE - that's what I got today. The gelateria was crazy, they did this huge art sculpture thing with the cones, check it out below. After looking around for a little while, we headed back towards the apartment.

Debbie and Kaylie took a nap while Ashley and I walked around looking for an internet cafe. Ultimate fail (we searched for almost 2 hours) but the sights were beautiful so it was worth it. We didn't realize that Sunday afternoons are not the best time to go looking for open cafes...literally everything was closed. They have a "siesta" kind of thing here like in spanish countries, where from 1 - 4 a lot of things close down for naptime. We forgot about that, so it made our search a little tough. We tried to stop by our neighborhood bar (where I got the yummy cappucino yesterday) on the way home, but they were closed also. SO we came home and took a little siesta ourselves.

Tonight is the re-do Mexican dinner for Tara's birthday. We're about to head over to the restaurant for a big celebration - I reserved a table for 10! We thought our reservation was at 7, so we walked over there but they told us that they didn't open until 8. I'm still getting used to this late-dinner style that the Italians are all about. I'm getting there, though. The key is eating a late lunch.

Classes start tomorrow, but not really for me, because I only have them Tuesday - Thursday. Lots of time for traveling! I planned my first trip to Venice/Verona at the end of this month, which I'm super excited about. Internet was promised to us so I'm banking that by Wednesday we'll have it for sure. I can't wait to skype with yall!! Have a wonderful Sunday and I'll post again soon. Loooooove