#10 - Don't settle

When it comes to things you really want in life, you shouldn't settle for less than you deserve.
Definitely don't settle when it comes to important life decisions like finding a husband, a job, or a nice trench coat.

20 Euros...I AM SO EXCITED!

Today, Christine and I went to the flea market right outside of our apartment building...it stretched forever! It's the largest flea market in Rome and obviously so - we spent 6 hours there! It was huge! I dished out about 70 Euros and got some really good stuff.

A look to the left...

A look to the right...

It goes on for further than you can see from here! We had so much fun laughing with and at the vendors and the weather was perfect. It was such a great day to spend walking at our own pace and being emerged in the culture. We used lots of Italian today...Christine and I are getting excited about our expanding vocabulary! We also learned to haggle the prices down with the vendors. We may or may not have bought...

A table of clocks...all of them.

Gas masks...we actually need these in some parts of the city...

Bedazzled jeans. Check those out...

GULP. What?!

Clothes and scarves and hats!

Okay, it's probably obvious what I bought: the gas masks.

What a great day to shop...I loved it! Thanks for going with me Christine!

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Ciao!

Briana

#9 - Sometimes, shoes matter

When packing for Rome, I thought immediately to bring tennis shoes and a pair of walking sandals.

The first few days, I wore my sandals. They had lots of straps and were very light and comfortable; perfect for walking! Ha...

BUT...after those first few days, the top of my left foot began to hurt extremely badly on the top of my foot where my sandal straps crossed - to the point where I couldn't walk anymore. My foot felt bruised, it was swollen, and I was worried that I wouldn't get to do anything else for the rest of the trip.

I took it easy for a few days, taking taxis, trams, and metros. Then I switched to my tennis shoes, and began to walk with a limp (swag), to relieve pressure on my left foot. However, due to the increased pressure on my right foot and the hard impact on the cobblestone, my right ankle began to feel like it was going to pull or twist when I stepped. Awesome.

Thankfully, today we found a farmacia; the pharmacist said an ankle wrap would help me to keep from twisting my ankle and relieve some pressure.

So far, so good. I hope my feet get better. Next time, I'll know...tennis shoes only! 

For now, I'll continue embarrassing fellow classmates with the dorky, unattractive, yet extremely helpful new addition to my wardrobe.

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Ciao!

Briana

#8 - Being nice pays

You know what I like? Some great customer service...and we have found a few places that have had just that. They are the cutest little cafes on the corners or alongside the streets with delicious food and the cutest people working there. Good employees and a great atmosphere...they are just so friendly! 


The first cafe is very close to us...literally, just around the corner, and we have gone there almost every day for breakfast!

The inside is very modern, clean, and sleek. I want one of these at home!

You have the option to stand at the bar or sit in these cute tables (and pay an extra .30 euros).

The outside banner reads "New Management,"
and we can't decide if that is the name,
or if they just got new management...

The guys there put a special touch on our cappuccinos each day.

This is Logan's spider web design on his cappuccino.
It's a little more manly than the hearts on ours.

Isn't that the cutest thing?!

This precious man is one of two that have waited on us each day.
They are so friendly and know English well enough to have witty conversations
with us as they make our drinks and serve our food. They are learning more
English words as we learn more Italian words.

The pastries all look delicious and the way it's set up is just great.
It's a popular place with a lot of "regulars."

And this...this is my favorite part. YUM.
It's chocolate inside of a sweet and flaky chocolate chip pastry.
I think it's called cornetto cioccolato, but I like to call it DELICIOUS.

#7 - Patience is "key"

We are having constant problems getting into our residence.

The key will work one day and the next, it takes forever and you have to hold it a certain way or sing a certain song...it is really strange and annoying.

It's little things that try your patience on trips like this, especially at the beginning, because we all want the experience NOW and we want things to happen NOW...and then we have to wait forever just to get into our rooms. I am definitely learning to be patient and not rush things - to just take in the experience...it gives me something to blog about later! ;-)

Patience is key...see what I did there?

#6 - Sometimes rules are merely "suggestions"

Sometimes, rules are merely "suggestions," and if they are followed you will get hurt! I'm talking about DRIVING here.

We took a taxi from the airport to get to our apartment. What an adventure! But, you know, compared to the taxi driver we had today (and yesterday), that guy wasn't bad at all.

Logan, Greg, Jenny, and I decided to take a taxi yesterday morning to St. Peter's because Jenny and I are still injured and I'm walking with a limp (or swag if you want to be nice), and then we took a taxi back to the apartment. We also took a taxi today to St. Peter's...but he took us in circles, so we got outta that thang.



Basically, here's what the real road rules are...
Green means go.
Yellow means go.
Red means go.
See the problem?

Taxis and other cars (and only cars, mostly Smart cars - I haven't seen any trucks or SUVs) swerve in and out of traffic...park on the medians...double park behind other cars...and cut off other cars...all without ever missing a turn and only running one or two red lights and perhaps brazing a pedestrian or ten.




Everyone does it and if you don't, you will probably be rooted off the road! ("If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" No, that is completely different. We are not on a bridge. We are on a road.)

So yes, there really are some road rules in Italy that are meant to be broken...but choose them wisely. In other words, only break them if doing so will allow you to keep your dignity, moral integrity - and your life.



Briana

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"If things go wrong, don't go with them."
- Roger Babson

Meylin's blog post about the Basilica di Santa Maria!

My friend Meylin put together a video with her pictures and one of the narrations. Click below to see it!

http://ecclesiis.blogspot.it/2012/05/basilica-di-santa-maria-in-aracoeli.html

#5 - Make friends

Make friends...otherwise, you'll have nobody to talk to about important questions like: "What are those Lion King trees doing in Rome?"

or "Why is there a pigeon looming above Logan's head?"

or  "Are those people really waiting to take people somewhere or are they some sort of flash mob?"










Make friends...otherwise, you could be left alone for an hour waiting for your luggage to show up.










Make friends...otherwise, you will undoubtedly be seated beside a person who will at some point either pick their nose and eat the findings or one of these other seat-mates that Jenny (roommate) has written about in her blog [click here to read it].

Make friends...otherwise, elevator rides with strangers could be a little awkward...and close. Not even kidding, the elevator at the boarding house can probably only fit five people...if you planned it out.
Granted, person number 5 might have to piggy-back ride, Spidey-climb and hover above, or act as a carpet for others to stand on, but I think it can be done.

Make friends...otherwise, you'll be lonely on your taxi ride from the airport...even if you can't see your newly-made friend for the giant luggage wedged between the two of you because there is no more room in the trunk because you and your friend are both girls and you inevitably packed a lot of stuff.

Make friends...otherwise, you can't buy any these necessities from the plane's SkyMall:

*bug thwarting sleeping cocoons

*sushi pillows

 *Yeti garden statues

*armadillo beverage holders










*Yeti tree statues














Make friends, people. You need 'em.

Briana

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"Change your thoughts and change your world."