Apparently, Italians are content with taking one shot of espresso and heading to work. Maybe grabbing a croissant on the way. This makes me very, very sad because I really miss my waffle maker. (I'm only 60% complaining though, because the croissants are killer.) But really, an entrepreneur would be very successful here if they opened an IHOP. (Mom, can you send me pancake mix? Thanks.)
This week's play-by-play:
{Monday}
- USAC (my study abroad program) hosted a 30th anniversary reception celebration, complete with amazing appetizers and cake. It was fun to hang out with a bunch of people from our group + the professors. Thanks for the free dinner, USAC!
USAC anniversary reception
{Tuesday}
- Most of my roommates don't have class on Tuesdays, so we all decided a trip to the Royal Palace of Venaria was a must. After a much too long & overcrowded bus ride (28 stops away), we arrived in the small city of Venaria and toured the lovely museum and castle. It was a royal residence for the Savory family, and we read that the palace is comparable in size to Versailles. The gardens were my favorite part, and we had lunch on the terrace and enjoyed the view!
Touring the Royal Palace of Venaria
Drinking wine overlooking the gardens.. perfect.
- Afterward, Kelsey came with me to buy a new backpack (since mine literally had fallen apart.) I was so glad to finally get that out of the way since it had taken forever to track down a sporting goods store. We then met up with Kaitlyn, Kathleen & Natalie at an Italian restaurant near Piazza Castello, which is now my FAVORITE restaurant in the world. (The setting, the people, the twinkly lights, the accordian players.) Someone please come visit me so I can take you there!
- We also found an amazing Gelateria for dessert (obviously), and I had the best gelato EVER. This is a very strong statement since I have tried over 400 types of gelato since being here. It was fondant (dark chocolate), and I apparently liked it a bit too much because some of it ended up on my white skinny jeans. Fail.
{Wednesday}
- After class, we were in need of a pick-me-up-mood-improving activity, so we went to a pub close by to watch the Juventus soccer game! Since there was a metro strike happening, we had to take a taxi (which was such a bummer since we had to take a taxi home from school, too.) The Juventus game was already half-over and our taxi driver was blasting it on the radio. Just as we arrived in the main square, Juventus scored a goal and our taxi driver made us all jump when he yelled/cheered so loud our taxi literally shook. The entire city exploded in screaming and cheering from the pubs all around us. We ran into a pub to meet our other friends, and the entire place was packed! Room after room full of guys cheering and watching the game on huge projectors on the walls! Definitely going to try to watch all the games.. such a fun experience.
{Thursday}
- Today, Kelsey and I woke up with really bad sore throats and colds. On our way to school, we desperately stopped in at a "Farmacia" and a very nice pharmacist helped us out. He asked us about our symptoms, went into the back, and came out with a bottle of throat spray that I'm convinced would need to be prescribed in America. It was so strong and our throats were numb within seconds.. exactly what we needed! It was great and we were lovin' the easy accessibility to good meds here in Italy.
- I had class all day: Political & Economic Institutions of the European Union from 11:15-2:15, Italian class from 2:30-4:30, and our first Italian Cuisine introductory class until 6pm. I got home (exhausted) and am currently packing for Oktoberfest (yay!)
~ ~ ~
There were also some unfortunate events this week (besides my craving for waffles):
- I got four mosquito bites on my right foot and they proceed to swell as if I had taken a hammer and slammed it on my foot. The effects included wearing running shoes for two days and nonchalantly limping. (I'll spare you a picture.)
- We only had one mirror in our apartment (for 5 girls), so we kindly asked our landlord, Guido, if we could possibly get another one. He obliged and brought us a nice tall mirror, which proceeded to shatter soon thereafter. (Not quite sure how, though.)
- My iPhone shattered a tinsy bit. It definitely grew wings and flew out of my hand.. I did not drop it. However, the shatter looks spiderman-themed and I now only need to get a spiderman case! No one will notice, right? I also sort of sanded down the glass so it's perfectly functional!
- My trusty backpack decided to retire.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
I'm off to Oktoberfest tomorrow & meeting up with my best friend from home!
Ciao!
xxx
UPDATE 9/25: Today on our way home from a morning run, Kelsey and I found a Busters coffee shop a few blocks away from our apartment. They had PANCAKES on display. Didn't even care that it cost €2.70 for two small pancakes. I was in heaven. Plus they had coffee with milk, so it's safe to say we'll be back.
Amazing.
