The Beginning of the End.

I've been trying my best to keep up with this, so we're going to continue from where I left off (Tokyo man).  I may be a bit behind, but I'm including as much as I can! Patience, my friend, patience.

So, our third weekend here was a really great time.  Beginning with Friday, our school provided us a with tour of the biggest film-making site in Europe, Cinecitta (Chin-cheetah).  This was really fun, we were able to see sets from Gangs of New York and Italian films.  One particular site was absolutely huge and it was designed into what Ancient Rome is believed to look like.  I felt as if I was walking through such a time.  It really amazes me of what people are capable of creating.  Turns out, parts of The Passion were also filmed in this place.  My favorite part of the tour was a documentary that we were able to watch about how a film is made, after the actual filming takes place.  The editing process, music selection, lighting & sound effects is what truly fascinates me most.  Overall, it was pretty awesome.
That afternoon, a few of my roommates and I took off for Villa Borghese, a huge park within the Northern part of Rome.  It had been recommended to us that we visit and rent bikes to ride around.  It was a beautiful afternoon so we thought we'd take advantage!  Well, it was sooo great.  One of my favorite things I've done here thus far!  We rented the bikes for an hour and rode around the park.  It's a beautiful park and has many great outlooks over the city.  We just so happened to go nearing sunset, so we were able to see a beautiful one occur.  The fall colors were gorgeous and I'd say to anyone: go!  It's a blast.  Thinking about picnic-ing it up soon!

Villa Borghese Park!

We are just so cute.

Look at that wishing skill.

To end the day, we went to the Trevi Fountain in order to make the most epic of epic wishes.  The date was 11/11/11 and we went at 11:11.  This was hilarious because Americans pretty much took over the fountain.  First off, military time is used here so "11:11" is actually 23:11 to them.  Second of all, I really don't think "11:11" is a thing for them.  Regardless, 10 seconds before the minute, over a 100 Americans or so counted down to the time.  I just loved this.  At that minute, I made my wish and threw my coin into the fountain! All the girls of my group did the same, we represented well I'd say.

Following that night, we went to Pompeii, Sorento and Naples for the weekend.  In Pompeii, we went a saw the ruins of the volcanic disaster.  This eruption, which occurred over 6 miles away, wiped out the citizens of the city, but much of the buildings still stand.  It's actually amazing at how well preserved the site is.  Within our two hour tour, we didn't even cover half of what remains.  We walked through what use to be houses, restaurants, stores, bathing halls and a few stadiums.  I was really amazed at this place.
Following that, we went to Sorento to spend the night.  Sorento is a cute little town that is along the coast.  Our hotel provided us with an amazing dinner as well (ravioli, chicken with potatoes and green beans, finished with dessert).  It was a great night spent visiting with the group and just hanging out.
In the morning, we took off for Naples, which is also along the coast.  We went to a museum in the morning, but then the rest of the day was ours for exploring.  We all started out by going out for pizza.  Pizza was invented in Naples and is thus known for its incredible pizza.  Well folks, easily the best pizza I've ever hard.  Naples held up to it's reputation quite well.
It just so happened to be Sunday and because it's nearing Christmas, Naples was craaaazy.  They have two to three particular streets that are just packeddddd.  They specialize in making Nativity scenes, along with other little Christmas trinkets.  We were hardly able to walk through it was so busy.  We were also recommended a bakery by our school staff so when we arrived to try it, we were shocked at how packed it was.  It was completely filled with people and you had to take a number just to place your order.  Our director's wife was with us and she was an amazing help.  We were quite overwhelmed, but she turned the situation into a cultural experience.  Instead of seeing it as simply a packed bakery, it was an Italian bakery where this is a typical afternoon.  If you take the time to notice, no one is upset about having to wait, that's just the way it is.  The women taking orders find joy in the experience.  They were often laughing at the crowds and eagerly helping as fast as they could.  People rattle off in Italian extremely fast, push and shove their way to the front, and go about their business.  This my friends, is Italy.  There is no such thing as line, you just get yourself up to the front sometime.  It is culturally known, so no one really gets upset.  I ended up really valuing this experience and fell even more in love with this crazy culture.

Naples!

Upon returning from our weekend away, we had an awesome week awaiting us.  Monday night, our school staff took us out for Nutella crepes at one of their favorite places.  For those of you who don't know what a crepe is, it is like a very large, flat pancake that Nutella and whatever else is placed within.  Mine in particular had Nutella and white chocolate Nutella with coconut pieces.  Ooohhhmg so delicious.  Quite rich, but so good.  Everyone should try these little heavenly gems.  Prior to this, I've had one in Greece with strawberries/Nutella, and then one in Paris, with Nutella and whipped cream.  Mmmm, so good =)

Now I know I am constantly listing all of these awesome things that we do, but don't worry, I have lots of class as well.  We have each class about once a week and we're pretty much always out in the city touring something.  We are so fortunate to be able to do this, and our professors are really great.  I've seen countless beautiful churches, endless ancient ruin sites, and museums filled with exceptional art.  I count myself blessed everyday for this, regardless of how exhausted I feel at the end of the day.
Greg's (my director) class is always one of my favorites.  We were able to go back to Villa Borghese and watch the sunset with the whole group.  Everyone really enjoyed it and the sunset was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Class visit to Victor Emmanuel!

Obsessed with these trees.

Vatican at sunrise.

The next morning, a group of us took off for the Vatican to watch the sunrise.  Although it isn't really elevated on a hill, the color of the sky turned a little purple that morning and the coming of the morning was really beautiful.  It was especially cold that morning, so we didn't stay too long.  We didn't waste too much time getting back lol.  These mornings I particularly enjoy, for I don't have class until 2:30.  So being up and having the whole morning to myself is really enjoyable.  I've enjoyed countless mornings on our terrace and the sun has been shining for the whole month of November for us.  Typically in Rome, this is the rainy season but we've been especially blessed to have hardly any (knock on wood).  Today marks the day of the 1st of December, and yes that means I have only 15 days left.  I really can't believe it, but I'm trying to not think about how little of time is left, and just enjoy what I have.  I continue to get to know my group and it's really been such a gift.  I love everyone here for their own reasons and truly cherish the impact they've all had on my life.

Now, the studying for finals must begin.  I will try to blog a few more times before leaving, but I am warning you, it may be lacking.  But I will try! =)

See you all soon =)  Godbless.