Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July! It is so weird to be in another country on the 4th of July!

It's probably my favorite holiday, too! there were no parades in Rome though. My friends and I decided to head to the beach today. It has been so hot in Rome, and we really needed a day of rest! The beach was about a 45 minute train ride from the city, and only cost 1 Euro!! The sand was black though, and let me tell you it got HOT!!! It also stuck to anything it came in contact with...very annoying sand. We all came home looking pretty sun-kissed, and by sun-kissed I mean we are all burned and applying aloe as I write this. Tonight we are celebrating the 4th with some good ol' American cooking. Burgers and fries. We are throwing in wine because it is cheaper than water so that is only practical. We are also going to book our trips for the rest of the summer. It's looking like Switzerland and Prague! So excited!

Yesterday was a long day. We did a walking tour of Rome at 10am, and right from there did a bus tour. We went to St. Paul's Basilica and St. Peter's Basilica. They were both so gorgeous! I have never seen anything like it! My camera of course died as I was getting to St. Peter's which was our first stop. Lucky for me Alex and Laura were able to take a lot of pictures, and it's about 20 minutes away from campus so I can always make it back! :-) We still need to go to the Sistine Chapel.

Tomorrow we start classes. I am really excited to start my Italian class so maybe I can actually converse with people. The language barrier can be frustrating. Usually people know what you are saying and can respond in English. I can understand their frustration though and I definitely need to learn at least some basic phrases so I don't feel like as much of an ignorant American.

Something very important I have learned this week....if you order shrimp scampi in Rome, it doesn't come with shrimp like Americans think of shrimp. It comes with mini little lobsters and they have eyes and they look at you while you are eating it. Also pretty sure there is absolutely no meat on these strange crustaceans. Such a waste. Another fun fact. Going out to eat in Rome, at least for the most part, is very inexpensive. I am actually convinced that I can eat out for cheaper than I can cook! We have found this great place near Laura and Kim's apartment called Sale and Pepe. Great pizza, cheap wine...and the owner loves us!

Time to get back to trip planning and celebrating being an American. Classes start tomorrow. I have decided that instead of taking moles, spies and terrorists I am going to take Ancient Rome and its Monuments with my friend Kristin. That way I will get a few evenings a week off to explore and get to see Rome as part of class.

Hope everyone had a wonderful sunny 4th! miss you all!