Settling In

So I’ve been in Rome a week. Thanks to my parents and cousins I’ve been able to get a lot done.
Over the years I’ve been to Italy many times, but this is the first time my father has had to show me so much of his old neighborhood. For the most part, I’ve learned where to go for all my daily necessities. Since I won’t have a car out here, I’ve had to learn the public transportation system (more on that in a minute). I can now get to the gym each day and to the center of Rome by myself. I’ll learn the rest as I go.
In this first week I’ve already been to four different gyms. Only one of them has been a gymnastics gym though. Two of my young cousins do gymnastics here and they go to a gym owned by a former Italian Olympian, Carmine Luppino. Randomly, my parents ran into him at the ’07 World Championships and the Beijing Olympics and have become friendly with him. I stopped by the other day to say hello to him and to the kids. It was pretty cool to see how excited the kids were that I was there. It was a thrill for me too!
Aside from working out I’ve also been spending a lot of my time eating. I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten more pasta over this past week than I’ve eaten over the past 10 years...and it’s all been delicious! Last night some of my cousins took me to this little town just outside of Rome, Ariccia, where for about $20 you basically eat until you can’t move. It was pretty amazing. At least ten different appetizers, two pasta dishes, three desserts, and wine. These types of places do not exist in the US...
Tomorrow morning I’m going to my parent’s village, Pietracupa. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, but I haven’t been there in five years so I’m excited to get back. I’ll put some pics up this weekend.

Here are a few of my observations of Rome so far...
-If you are used to driving in the US, I wouldn’t recommend driving in Rome...ever. I’m pretty sure that driving laws are all optional in Italy. Red lights, one way streets, no parking zones...they seem to be more suggestions than actual law. My favorite is the way people park their cars. I don’t think there are any official parking spots in the city...ok, let me re-phrase. Everywhere you stop is a potential parking spot. Basically if your car can fit, park...even if it’s in the middle of the street.

-The bus system can also be interesting. First of all, don’t expect to find a bus schedule. Buses just show up. Sometimes not for an hour and sometimes they show up back to back. Yesterday I waited for my 671, and I watched as four of the 170 line went by before my bus came. I can’t really explain the system. Oh, and make sure you are standing in the middle of the street hailing the bus down, because if you are sitting at the bus stop when they drive by, they won’t even stop...that’s happened to me a couple times already.

-Everything you’ve heard about Italian food and meals is true. The food is amazing and they offer you amounts that you couldn’t possibly eat in one sitting. Apparently, when you say you’ve had enough to eat that is code for “Give me three more helpings.” Take out does not really exist, so whenever I’ve been out I’ve felt an obligation to overdue it so I don’t waste food. Not that I’m complaining.

-There is a gelateria (ice cream shop) every fifty feet...maybe less.
-The three hour shutdown of the city (1-4pm) is a beautiful thing. Time spent with family and napping is something we don’t get enough of in the US.
-Probably the best time to go anywhere is when a soccer game is on. Just about everyone in the city religiously watches the games. Most grandmothers could tell you who the coaches of Roma or Milan are, and who the teams play next Sunday...they love their soccer. Fortunately, so do I!!