Musei Vaticani

Oh Vatican Museums, you are so crowded when you are free. Being the last Sunday of the month, there was no admission fee to the Museum so I, along with the rest of the world, got up early to head over there. Waited in line for an hour or so but that didn't matter at all because it's the Vatican Museums! Everything wonderful is there. Augustus of Primaporta, Apollo Belvedere, Sistine Chapel. I saw all of you. And I would have seen the Laocoon but it is in a special exhibition right now which is not free so I'm going to wait until it's back in its proper spot. Also the Pinacoteca and a view out onto the gardens. Yes, this is one of the best museums ever. I can't even name everything that I saw. I still prefer sculpture over other mediums but the Sistine Chapel is amazing (excellent restoration and cleaning; the colors are brilliant) and almost changed my mind. It was quite a sight and seeing the entire Chapel literally packed with people was also a sight. Interesting in that it is a chapel with an altar and everything but nobody is really acting like it is. A jostling crowd, guards yelling for silence as the murmur swells, tourists being scolded for taking pictures. And everyone straining their eyes up to Michelangelo's heavens. There's nothing like it. I will definitely be back, though hopefully when there are fewer people and I can truly take my time. The Sistine Chapel must be quite another experience when one is not surrounded by hordes. And to think, my parents have been able to visit there privately with a small travel group. They are lucky. I was pleased to see some young American priests also going through the museum and making comments such as "Who would ever want to kneel on that?" in regards to an extravagant kneeler. I love seeing priests and nuns doing and saying ordinary things. Because they are people but at the same time, they seem so apart. It's a little strange to hear a priest say something that I'd expect out of my brother but it is fast becoming one of my favorite things. The number of nuns and priests here is obviously very high and I like seeing them around. I would very much like to know a priest or nun here who can explain all the things of which lay people may be unaware. I suppose a priest would be most useful because the Church is a little weird about women, even nuns, so the priests know more of the good stuff and probably have connections. Anyway, today has simply increased my love of museums and the Vatican in general. I was going to go back into the Basilica but it too was jammed so I wandered on home. I also have developed a fascination with the Swiss Guard. What an interesting group. I'm researching them now because I think they could offer a lot of obscure facts that I would appreciate. So a lovely day out on my own. I suspect I will be at the Vatican frequently while I'm in Rome. Also every morning in St. Peter's, priests from all over the world say Mass in the various chapels in their native languages. How cool is that? All at once, there are all these Masses happening because every priest wants to say Mass in St. Peter's. One day soon, I will wake up very early to go. Also, something that I never really thought about: modern religious art. For whatever reason, it seemed strange. Perhaps because I'm so used to old religious art and modern non-religious art that modern and religious didn't even seem like a possible combination. So that was a nice thing to think about for a bit. But for now, I must do some homework because I am a student.

Benedict's Place

So I went to the Vatican within the first couple days of being here and it was amazing. I only went into St. Peter's Square and the Basilica but wow. It's an astoundling large and beautiful place. Not to mention the center of Catholicism. I liked thinking that somewhere in that place, the Pope was just walking around, talking with his priestly friends. I of course will be going back to check out the museum because it has some of the greatest works of art in the world. I read somewhere that admission is free on the last Sunday of the month. Is this true? Because that would be this Sunday and if I can get in free, I willbe there as soon as it opens. Also, I could spend another entire day in the Basilica (Michelangelo's Pieta is right inside the door!) and check out the Popes' tombs and all. I definitely want to go to Mass there very soon. And Easter!! I am so excited to be here for that. Mom, Dad, Galen and Nolan will all be visiting then too. I haven't had an Easter with family since I went to college so that will be nice. Not to mention I just get to be with my family after not seeing them for months and months.
Being here is one of the best things I've ever done but it does make me realize how much I love being able to spend time with my family. Even when I'm in Iowa and I can't see them as often as other people do, it's not that difficult to get home. And I can always call them. Here, though, it's different. I love Rome, but I love my family more and it's strange to think I can't just pick up the phone and hear their voices. Well, I could call them but it might be a random time in the middle of the night and it would be super expensive. What I'm saying is this: my family is the best thing ever and they should all come visit me in Rome. Also we should do a family backpacking trip (well the kids should anyway because that would hilarious, Dad would want to be climbing mountains or something alone). Yes, family, we will conquer the world.
On another note, one of my professors here is a working archaeologist. He teaches to pay the bills and then spends his entire summer doing fieldwork. His main site is Ostia Antica which we will visit in class. Anyway, he said that if anyone was interested in archaeological work or had connection with that field of work (Classics majors!), then he would be happy to take them t Ostia to actually help out. What! I am so there. It would be awesome and a good experience, especially if I get to go to Nijmegen this summer. Note to self: I have to turn that application in soon. So Dr. Eric De Sena, yes, I will be an archaeologist and you can be my mentor while I'm in Rome. I kind of want to be just like him when I grow up. He even mentioned people wanting to be Indiana Jones when they grow up would be good candidates for going to Ostia and I thought, "Well, yes. Of course I want to be Indiana Jones minus the Nazis, snake pits, and generally extreme danger."
OK now. This has been extensive, rambling, but very entertaining for you. Maybe next time I'll explain some awesome Italian culture that I am trying to figure out. A domani!

Boo to gross weather. Rainy and cold. Of course, by cold I mean mid 50's which isn't really cold at all. But it isn't the globally warmed, fake winter that was here last week when I arrived. I guess I can deal with it though. I'll just take the tram instead of walking to school.
I've been to all but one of my classes so far. They should be fine and not problematic at all. Trekked over to the Spanish Steps this morning with Esther and Molly to get our books at the Anglo-American Bookstore. But we have to go back because some things were out of stocl. Hopefully it won't be raining tomorrow. Also I have an on-site class tomorrow so it should definitely not be raining.
I should really go grocery shopping today. Maybe I'll so that after class. I love not being able to read the labels and just picking stuff based on pictures. Or I watch what the Italians are buying and buy the same stuff. I mean, they should know what's good. I can get some bottles of vino too because having a glass every night is what I do. And it can cost less than 2 euro for a bottle. Amazing, I know.

Roma

Well I've been in Rome for a week now. It's hard to believe I'm here but I'm getting used to it. After spending so much time learning about all these ancient things, it's a bit surreal to just walk past them as I get lost somewhere in the city. And I do get lost, frequently. Directional impairment coupled with language barriers and lack of urban planning gets me into trouble but I've found my way eventually every time. Maybe one day I'll figure it out.
Everything has been amazing so far. My roommates are all great; we're very different but that's what makes it so fun. We've all got so much to learn about and from each other. One of them, Esther, is a Classics major so we've been walking around a lot together to visit places and be really excited in a nerdy way about Classics stuff. She also can read maps so that's helpful.
Classes started today and I think everything will be good. Not too hard because I'm already familiar with most of the subjects but there's always more to learn. And now I can learn about something and then go actually look at it, in person. Fantastic.
The nightlife is pretty amazing too. I went to a club/disco type place and it was hilarious. Not my usual scene but still a lot of fun. I think my dancing skills will improve greatly while I'm here. Hopefully my Italian will too so I can actually talk to those slightly creepy Italian men...and know how to tell them to go away. Anyway, there's just so much to see and experience everyday. I'll try to keep you all updated here so you can be a little jealous.