Bella Bologna

I finally met my eighth roommate, Roberto- the brother of Dani. He studied for a year in Arizona and knows some english. He just came back to Bologna from being in Toulouse, France with his girlfriend. The day he came back his mother came from Sardinia to see her sons. She has been staying with us and is very sweet. Of course cleaning and cooking a lot. Tonight I had dinner with Dani, Roberto and their mother. She cooked minestrona and an egg, zucchini dish- both very delicious of course. I told her I did not know how to cook because at school I have a cook- she was a little surprised and understood why i was so thankful for her cooking. I would have been content with the panino I had in mind to eat for dinner- quick and easy:) I also got to try an strong alcohol that she made, a little sweet but very strong. The Italian mother is somewhat how I imagined one would be- sweet to me, controlling to her sons, wanting to cook and clean, and a cute older lady:) I wonder how long she will be here for. Happily i was able to carry on a conversation with her. Though some of the time when the three of them talk, the boys mumble and talk quickly- so I only catch some of it.  I am excited to spend time with Roberto now, and I think Dani is starting to warm up to me finally, tonight he said buona notte to me before he went out. 

Tonight everyone is gone besides my new italian mother and I. I think Leo is probably working and all the girls are out somewhere. Lauren is out on a date with a guy we like to call "bangs"- he is quite the metro italian. Last night he took her to the top of a hill, with a gorgeous gold-glowing church, and tonight they are doing dinner and a movie. I helped her get ready- it took forty minutes for her to decide what to wear- luckily I was there to simultaneously dry and straighten her hair while she did her make-up. 

Today was the most gorgeous day we have had yet in Bologna. It was in the fifties and soo sunny. Today was a Wednesday so we had our culture/history lesson and excursion. We went to the Museo di Palazzo Poggi on via Zamboni. We toured some of the museum and then climbed its tower. We got the most gorgeous view of the city! I took tons of pictures and was in awe of the city that i can say i actually live in! ahhh,... this is definitely the life. 

Ciao for now! 

Modena

Saturday Lauren, some people from my program and I took a day trip to a nearby city- Modena. The train ride only took about 15 minutes. From there we took a bus ride to the Ferrari museum. It was a cool experience seeing all the different ferraris in person. I even saw a picture of the Speedway! We took a lot of pictures. And to make it more fun we tried to take fun pictures of the cars with us. We took one at the end with us girls all jumping in the air. We had a great afternoon there. 

Then we had an appointment at a Balsamic Vinegar vineyard in Modena. Modena is the true and original place where balsamic vinegar is produced. On all bottles of b.v. the city Modena is on the label even though it is not truly from Modena. We went to this little cottage, up to the top floor where the barrels of vinegar are. A very cold room, the top vinegar sits for 25 years, and a small bottle of it costs about 65 euro. We had a taste testing session and took some pictures. The daughter of the family told us all about the history and process. 

Then we took a bus back to the city center to the annual street festival- we happened to come on just the right day! There were dozens and dozens of vendors- selling cheese, meat, sweets, piadini, crepes, clothes, and other random things. There were hundreds of people milling around- good people watching. Lauren and I bought some fresh cheese- pecorini fresca. and also some sweets to eat while walking around. Lauren and I went with Rachel, Teresa, Addriene and Monica- a great group of girls, we had a wonderful day. Our first of many day trips!

But unfortunately that night after i got home i became sick and have been ever since- and it keeps getting worse. Today i was supposed to have a presentation in class but my nose would not stop running and i couldnt breathe out of it so i could barely talk. i am supposed to go tmrw, i wonder if i will be any better. We have two finals and a paper this friday for this presession class. I hope i get well by tmrw so i can start studying hard core. 

I have a home in Italy!

Everyday I am so busy, from nine til three at night, going going going. Classes, shopping, walking, eating, going out at night. All so much fun, loving the city. But I actually have a home to go back to now!! And eight amazing roommates:) I live on a street that is very central, two minutes to Piazza Maggiore! I live on the top floor, with a great view! I live in a double with a girl named Sara, the room is very huge though. There are five girls and three guys. Two guys are brother from Sardania, Roberto and Danielle. And Leo was born in Columbia but has lived in Italy basically his whole life. The girls are from all over Italy: Sara, Sara, Laura, Marghe and Illaria. They are a lot of fun but unfortunately all smokers, but im too bothered by it actually. They are all amazing cooks and are very generous. I am having so much fun with all of them, there is always someone here and also friends- the more the merrier! The first night I moved in my roommates had a party with thirty of their friends- our living room holds a ton of people, we have a pretty big apartment. I wish we had more than one bathroom and the heat wasn't turned off all night. But great roommates definitely make up for it. 

Lauren has been staying with me for the past few days after we moved out of the hotel. It has been a great transition and always tons of fun with her. This experience would not be the same without her that is for sure. 

The city is really great, the window shopping is amazing. I love walking around for hours, exploring the city. Our culture classes about Bologna history have been really great and informative as well. 

Lauren and I have made many friends at different establishments around town and are having so much fun having italian friends.