My SYA Italy Adventure

So the first semester has come to an end! I cannot believe I have been in Italy for 4 months now. It's bittersweet because I get a break, to see my family, relax, and thoroughly enjoy Natale here in Italy. However, it does mean my experience is about at the halfway point... School has done lots to promote the Christmas spirit. We made ornaments to sell for charity, a formal Christmas party (where I may or may not have overdosed on the  panettone) , and an Open Mic show, which I helped MC. With the spirit in the air we had a ball and there were many surprises along the way! From the oranges waiting in our mailboxes at our daily break period to bumping into Babbo Natale in a cafe, there's barely anything I haven't seen yet. Viterbo is getting even more in the spirit as well. There's a chocolate art in the middle of the center, more lights on display, and many presepi  or nativity scenes being put together. The Italians take the tradition of creating a nativity scene ...

This week, school gave us very implicit directions on how to get to Rome for two activities: a visit to the Foro di Traiano and the Museo delle Terme . Bright and early, we headed into Rome and were not disappointed. 1st stop: the Roman Forum! One can see the enormous forum by simply walking along the streets of Rome outside of Piazza Venezia , but inside one really gets a feel for why an emperor would want it built in the first place. It is set up as truly a social center, but its clear business would have been well organized and politics, scandals, and current event seem to echo through the porticos. We had the opportunity to discuss the architecture with an archaeologist on site. She mentioned how on top of being modern in its concept, the construction was very contemporary. Mussolini cut through half of the Forum for his parade, but at least we can still see how the architect Apollodorus di Damascus (Greek architect) pulled off the project with his concrete inside - brick outs...

I have been so blessed to be on such an adventure these past few months- and the excitement is just picking up again! With Christmas in the air and travel awaiting me, I couldn't be more thrilled. Viterbo's Christmas Market

I am so blessed- my family arrived in VIterbo on Thanksgiving Day to begin a weekend full of family bonding and interesting travels! On Thursday, I picked up my uncle and grandparents at the train station. Without much amusement, we trucked the suitcases through Viterbo where I checked them in to the hotel. Once everyone got settled, we headed out to explore and get a bite to eat! The most exciting part of their very breif visit to Viterbo was the dinner that night with my host family. We exchanged some gifts and ate delicious food. My host parents ordered for my family, and they were so happy to try their recommendations. It was so great to see both parties struggle through the language barrier and see everyone happy. My grandma told me she was comforted to know I had such a wonderful family, and all I can say in return is "I told you so!" The next day, we parted for Firenze! I was amazed from the second we walked out of the train station. Florence is BEAUTIFUL! I got ...