Ciao!
I can not believe that I am about a third of the way through my time in Rome! It seems to go so fast once you get into the routine of it. These past two weeks have been filled with classes, wandering about Rome, and a trip to Venice with my art conservation class. Venice was a city like no other and I loved it! I love being surrounded by the water and all the boats. However, being there with my art conservation class we learned about the degradation of the city and what needs to be done to preserve it. With industrial plants giving off pollution, rising water levels, and increased boating traffic, the bricks of the city are literally crumbling. Going with a class we saw the less touristy parts of Venice, including a monastery on one The Deserted Island, a farm on the outskirt of the city, and a families home where they have been making gold foil by hand for the past 500 years. It was definitely an experience that I would have never had if not for taking this class.
Midterms are coming up next week so I have been bust studying. I kind of forgot that I was actually at school for a while. I am a little nervous for a one class’s exam, the professor is a little insane. But even with upcoming midterms, this coming weekend I am going to Tuscany for a day for a wine tasting and then to Velletri for a day to visit an olive farm. So I will be studying a lot on the bus rides.
After next week is my fall break! My grandparents, my sister, and my sister’s best friend are coming to visit. We will all be in Rome for the first couple of days, then my grandparents are heading off to travel about Italy on their own. My sister, her friend, and I are taking a day trip to Cinque Terre, then spending two days in Prague and two days in Amsterdam. I am very excited for them to come!
Until next time,
Kelly