UNESCO Pizza? PLEASE!!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17154139

Watch this video for a few reasons:

1. It's short.
2. It will make you hungry.
3. I've eaten at that pizza place in Naples (and damn was it good).
4. UNESCO protected pizza? Why not!?!

Baci,
Mari

Me eating pizza from the place above.

P.S. Da Michaela's is also the pizza place in "Eat, Pray, Love".

Wish I was there...

Um. I love oranges. In fact, I'm about to eat a clementine (orange's sweet little sister). But you know what I really wish?

I wish I had been in Italy for this: the Ultimate Citrus Food Fight.

http://healthtips-sastha.blogspot.com/2011/07/12-reasons-to-eat-oranges.html

Oh, Italia, you constantly find ways to tug my heart strings.

Baci,
Mari

New Year's Roman Style

Well, if this isn't a fun way to ring in the New Year....

(Btw, I've taken photos from that bridge! :) )

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16380881

Viva Italia!

Baci,
Mari

Best Memories

I've been putting this off -writing my last Roma post. My Italian friends can't understand why I don't want to leave when I'm headed to some pretty awesome places! And I am! I am so excited to visit one of my favorite literary landscapes, Barcelona (i.e. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon). I am so excited to meet amazing people and stay in rural Spain for 20 days on an organic farm. I am so excited to meet my new roommate, Emma of Melbourne, and study for a semester in Ireland...yeah, I have a lot to look forward to.

But you know what? Since August 31, Roma has been home. I've met awesome people, done awesome things, been to awesome places....

Well, in short and in no particular order, here are some of my best memories (note: these are only the ones I have photographs of - some, like a certain story about a Capuchin monkey, are not documented)...(also, a lot of these photos have been featured in previous posts, but they're here, b/c, well, I love them).

This one was taken in Venice. Megan and I are not important - the Dad teaching his son to ride a bike is what's important. Life is universal. No matter what our differences in language, beliefs, etc. we all want the same things - to live in security, to be well fed, to raise our children in safe and healthy environments...

This is the tree at the gate to campus - "CHI-TOWN LOVE". So true. The community at the JFRC was fantastic. There was gossip, disagreements, preferred groups of people - but there was also a collective joy in the opportunities the JFRC gave us. I didn't live on campus, but everytime I finally reached the top of the hill and saw the writing, it made the 15 minute walk up-hill a little bit more okay.

Gelatiamo! This was the second night in Roma. My first gelato experience, near Piazza del Popolo on Via del Corso. These girls helped make my experience the great thing it was!

I took this inside the Coloseum. Perhaps this is when I fell in love with sunbursts in my pictures. It was just so humbling to be standing in a place that old, with so much (violent) history. This was also at the beginning of the semester when everything was just a bit more magical and mysterious.

Jazz in Spoleto! It was such a fantastic experience to hear America's music under beneath a clear sky sitting on steps in front of a Duomo in Italy. Damn! Even now it fills me with emotion. Glorious. 

OMGPIZZAINNAPOLIFROMTHESAMEPLACEASTHATJULIAROBERTSMOVIE! Delicious. Thank you Da Michaelas.

This is the sculpture atop Castel Sant' Angelo, my favorite place you have to pay to get into. I could stare up at him for days. The story behind him? He alighted on the top of Hadrian's tomb to announce the end of the plague. I can't remember when. But for me this picture also represents a day spent at a Papal Audience and also with my roommate/best friend Natalie out and about in Rome.

I love this. It's on Pont Sant'Angelo, the bridge in front of Castel. Lovers put their names on a lock and lock it on a bridge as a sign of eternal love. I've seen these all over Italy and even in Barcelona. It makes me smile. In the background you can see the dome of St. Peters. 

Bet you can't guess where this station of the cross is from? You'd think it was from some modern church but it's actually from inside Santa Maria della Rotanda...or the Pantheon, i.e. the oldest building in Rome still used (or maybe its in continuous use...it was built in the first century). I love the Pantheon - that this beautiful, non traditional art is inside makes me love it even more. 

I rode a donkey up the side of a cliff rising out of th ocean. This was on Santorini. I confronted my fears of heights and riding horse-like creatures. This was a huge moment for me. 

Black beach on Santorini. My name, written with little pumice stones. I walked here with a friend I had made from the hostel. I made my small mark and now its gone. But the beach was beautiful, the company was beautiful, and there is no feeling like staring out at the ocean. Or Aegean sea as the case might be.

The sun sunk into the sea like a seal slipping into the saltwater. Or, in other words, once the sun hit the edge of the water you could almost here it hiss as it disappeared in less than a minute. I shared this with Brie and a bottle of wine, in Fira Town on Santorini. I think this helps illustrate the magic that pervaded the island. 

Anna Pham and her impression of the flower sellers. Spot on. Really annoying. But, they are as much a part of Rome for me as Anna Pham is. That would be an unforgettable and integral part. (Also, I think the girl laughing is Wendolyn, someone I grew close to as we experienced Giacchetti's philosophy class together).

This is at the German WWII cemetery outside Rome. There are 27,400 men buried here, often three deep. Many are unknown, only "Ein Deutscher Soldat" marks their graves. I came here on the WWII weekend trip. We also visited the American cemetery as well as Fosse Ardeatine where 335 Italians were killed in reprisal for the deaths of 33 Nazis. 

I loved Krakow. Except for the cold. This was the first evening when the fog was so heavy. The next day I went to Auschwitz. This was a difficult and awe-inspiring weekend. Krakow is a beautiful city, the Christmas market was great, and I can't wait to go back!

"Here lies one whose name was writ in water" - Keats

The Protestant Cemetery is so beautiful and Keat's epitaph means so much to me as a writer. He considered himself a failure, that his name would be quickly forgotten. As a self-proclaimed writer, I know that I too hope that I will be remembered for my words. Who knows if anyone other than those closest to me will be moved by that which I pour my heart and soul into?

Last night in Rome!!! So sad! And look! The unlit Vatican Christmas tree that was supposed to be lit! And Erin and Tina who's wandering around Rome on my final night made leaving just a little bit easier. 

This sums it up I guess. Me, on the terrace of Castel Sant'Angelo writing in my sketchbook for my Writing Rome class. The class trips provided so many awesome experiences wandering around Rome and getting to write about it! I started writing again and realized what a part of me it is. 

Well, that's all for now. Keep in mind, there were so many amazing experiences and they involved so many people.

Only in Rome is it possible to understand Rome - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Baci,
Mari

Grazie....or Prego?!?

Is this seat taken? Prego!

A direct translation of 'Grazie' is Thank you. 'Prego'...well, 'prego' doesn't really have a direct translation. And since "Thank you" has been ingrained into the American psyche as the go-to word, I find myself using it in a lot of situations in which 'prego' would do better. Because really, 'prego' is Italy's go-to word.

Here are how some people translate 'prego'...

Isabel D. (JFRC Student): It depends on context. "Sure thing", "You're welcome", or if you're letting someone through, "Go ahead".

Megan S. (JFRC Student): "You're welcome" or "After you". It literally means "I pray" so I don't really know what that means, but that's what that means.

Laura W. (JFRC Student): It's a bunch of different things. It's just a polite word.

Kaela C. (JFRC Student): "If you please." I wish English had a word for it. A lot of other languages do, like French's s'il vous plait. I don't know - there are so many different ways!

Andrea M. (JFRC Student): It literally means "you're welcome" but it is highly based on context. It could be a reply to a thank you or a you're welcome to my seat on the bus or you're welcome to tell me your order for food. It's kind of all inclusive.

Jacopo P. (Roman Citizen, native Italian speaker): "Don't mention it"?

Anne W. (Librarian who first visted Rome in 1980): "You're welcome" but it can also be "please" so it depends when you say it; it hasn't got one meaning.

Matt C. (JFRC Student): It's the Italian equivalent of a grunt. It's just that their language is prettier than ours so they've given it syllables and letters.

May I photo bomb your picture? Prego!

Baci,
Mari

(P.S. Thank you to Megan for allowing me to use semi-embarrassing photos of her).

Being sick in Italy

In Italy, everything makes you sick.

Just so you know, I have a cold. Or perhaps it's not a cold - perhaps its one of a myriad of maladies that affect Italians.

Italy has not been good for my hypochondria.

Since the above link established that there are a number of things that can be wrong with you, let's go ahead and enumerate what can make you sick (well, legitimate things):

1. The pollution level of Roma: It's really polluted here. Which cannot be good for your immune system. I have personal testimonies from people who have lived here for awhile. Well, one testimony. That of my Writing Professoressa. She's been here twelve years and recently told me that my current ear problems could have something to do with Rome's pollution. Which, by the way, has been super high recently prompting driving bans and what not. 
2. The allergy level of Roma (and Italy for that matter): It doesn't get really cold here, and it stays warmer longer (I'm trying to get a weather widget on here but as yet the how-to escapes me...and yes, part of it is just to make you readers in colder climates jealous). Thus, pollen level and general allergens last longer, i.e. allergy season lasts longer. Which, as one might imagine, isn't good for people with or sensitivities to allergens. 
3. Stress induced by #studyabroadproblems: You know, no three day weekends left for travel, didn't make it to all the countries you wanted to, four month "study" trip abroad coming to an end, running out of money for gelato (resulting in refusal to use dryers)...really stressful stuff.
• Or actually stressful stuff like exams, papers, projects, the travel home (or in my case to Barcelona - where I'll be spending seven days - and Mas de Madelena farm - where I'll be wwoofing for 20 days), having no place to live in Ireland....

All this results, for me at least, in snoring, coughing, sinus nastiness, swollen lymphnodes, un mal di testa (head ache), and un mal di gola (which includes, but is not limited to, a sore throat), and ear problems (aka not quite an ear ache but rather an over awareness of my ears. Or that's what I'm referring to it as).

So now I have all natural nasal drops and an antibiotic. I wonder how the Italians feel about over-perscribing antibiotics...(though I think my need is legit). I'm also eating soup from mensa (the cafeteria on campus), drinking tea, and avoiding dairy (consumption of which prompts your body to produce more mucus).

All in all, being sick is making me miss chicken noodle soup and Bob Ross (my personal remedy for illness is laying on the couch eating soup and watching Bob Ross paint). However, I'd much rather be sick here, than back home. 

Baci,

Mari

Happy Turkey Day from Roma!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I'm spending my Thanksgiving not forcing more food in my belly, but rather preparing for my trip this weekend. I'm going to Krakow, Poland and Auschwitz. I think it's an appropriate way to spend my Thanksgiving abroad, being thankful for everything I do have and not worrying about what I don't.

Never fear though. I have had the requisite turkey, corn, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and stuffing. I also had pumpkin ravioli aka THE GREATEST RAVIOLI EVER.

Last night the JFRC hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner. Everyone expected the usual Mensa/cafeteria lines but instead we had tables with gold and maroon table clothes (yay, school spirit!), candles, delicious Chianti, and even little children running all over the place (Thank you Iodice, Schwarten, and Rinaldo families for providing absolutely adorable runnong-around-children).

It was fantastic. The food was WONDERFUL (way to step it up Mensa), the atmosphere delightful, and did I mention the pumpkin ravioli? (Which you can apparently find at Caputo's and other Italian grocery stores.)

Today I'm going to do laundry for my trip this weekend, work on my philosophy papers, eat Digestives+Peanut butter+milk chocolate, and generally be thankful.

I found this really interesting: How Americans Abroad are Spending Thanksgiving (an interactive map)

Baci e Grazie,
Mari

Music FYI

For anyone traveling outside the US you might be in for a rude awakening.

Pandora doesn't work outside the US.

Never fear! The internet will save you! (As usual).

Introducing (something many of you probably already know about...)...8tracks!!!

You can make mixes (haven't done that yet so I don't know how difficult/easy that is), listen to mixes (search by artist, mixer, tags, descriptions), and just generally enjoy music!

It's great. And for added enjoyment, go to rainymood.com and have it on in the background, especially if you're stuck inside all day studying or such.

Baci,
Mari

L'autunno a Roma

“December Prelude in Roma”

Birds are still chirping, dogs are still barking, and the breeze is still blowing – but there is an amber glow cast over everything as if Midas was dusting the world with gold. He pays close attention to the trees, taking his time. And so, when the air rushes through the leaves they make a sound so exquisite – a sound like you must have heard when you were being born – the rush of air into and around your ears must be the same as the sound of the air whipping past and around and through the dry and newly gilded leaves of tall tall trees and squat bushes.

And how like childhood when you were dancing in a dirt-devil of leaves through the graves of relatives and fellow parishioners – as you now walk through them in a gait befitting your age but inside you are seven again and surrounded by Skees and Merediths and Smiths who must be laughing at you from their graves and your grandfather too as he is lowered into his final resting place.

The crunch of the gilded leaves beneath your boots is so satisfying. Autumn is finally here and you are in a city three thousand miles from the graves of your family members and yet you are still there. You walk down a street over basalt cobblestones with motorinos and Fiats and Peugeots revving by and yet you are in the same town in which you first felt the air whoosh by your ears as you were born.

Do the monuments love this time as much as you? Do the ruins still buried or only just peeking out of the ground appreciate this golden carpet like you do? Surely ancient Roma understands that this golden beauty is just a prelude to the only time of the year when, standing under the branches of trees you can look up and see stars. 

(By Mari Thompson, published in "Ciao Roma," the lit magazine of the JFRC)

Click here to view these pictures larger

baci,

mari

Genoa Floods

It's been cloudy here and it stormed last night but other than threatening clouds we've had very little rain...

Not so in Genoa.

Six people have died in Genoa alone, with a total of ten in the region.

On Friday, a third of the total average rainfall fell in only six hours.

Genoa is located in northern Italy.

Here's a short article with more information as well as political fallout.

Halloween!

First off, here's all the pics...

Click here to view these pictures larger

These are from the JFRC party as well as hanging out with Gli Italiani on Saturday night. Awesome. I was a flapper. 

So here in Italy they don't really celebrate Halloween like we do. In fact, it's only been in the last 30-40 years that it has been celebrated at all. And they definitely don't trick or treat - it'd be really difficult with the apartment style living. 

Clearly the JFRC chooses not to emulate Italians when it comes to this. 

Baci!

Mari