Roma e Tuscany

 Last night we went to dinner at Terme Di Diocleziano. We had so much food! First we had a huge plate of pasta. It was penne pasta with a great red sauce. I was not expecting a huge salad to come out after the pasta course, but apparently this is the Italian custom. I've learned the Italian courses. 1) Antipasti (appetizers) 2) Piatti primi (rice, pasta, etc.) 3) Insalata (salad) 4) Piatti secundo (meat, fish, etc.) 5) Formaggio (Cheese) 6) Dulce (dessert and fruit) 7) Cafe Even though this is a formal dinner in Italy, most Italians do not eat all of this in one meal other than holidays. It's a good thing or Italians wouldn't be able to be so thin! Last night we went to dinner at Terme Di Diocleziano. We had so much food! First we had a huge plate of pasta. It was penne pasta with a great red sauce. I was not expecting a huge salad to come out after the pasta course, but apparently this is the Italian custom. I've learned the Italian courses. 1) Antipasti (appetizers) 2) Piatti primi (rice, pasta, etc.) 3) Insalata (salad) 4) Piatti secundo (meat, fish, etc.) 5) Formaggio (Cheese) 6) Dulce (dessert and fruit) 7) Cafe Even though this is a formal dinner in Italy, most Italians do not eat all of this in one meal other than holidays. It's a good thing or Italians wouldn't be able to be so thin! We had pasta, salad, chicken, and dessert! It was delicious. The bread and olive oil are perfect. Bread is so wholesome and fresh while the olive oil is refreshing and light. I love the bread and oil. Rather than feeling greasy and fat after eating the bread like I would in the states, I actually feel healthy. I'm always full, but I feel good. I haven't gained any weight off. We've been sweating and walking so much that we are burning all that food up. I've been taking pictures of all my food so check it out! After dinner, Jenna, Mallorie, Darcy, Emily, and I went to an Irish Pub to watch the Italy vs. Ireland game. We won 2-0! We ordered some drinks (no ID check!) and talked to some Italian dudes. It was a fun and friendly atmosphere. We talked for hours. You'd never know that the five of us only met each other three days ago. We talk and act like best friends already.  A double decker bus sightseeing tour is a great way to get a broad look at a big city. Our sightseeing tour was hot indeed, but seeing everything from high up gave us a whole née perspective. We didn't have to worry about being trampled by cars or people. No sore feet. With a city like Rome, it's impossible to cover the area in a few days. There is simply too much to see. The city feels huge by foot, but by bus, you can get a good feeling of the city's dimensions and culture in just a couple of hours. Today we got to wrap up Rome with a two hour bus ride. I took many more pictures of course. I was amazed at the multitudes of people. It seemed much more crowded at all the tourist stops. Perhaps it was because it was early in the morning which is the time when most families do the outdoor tourist attractions. We got to drive through Vatican City. It was such a magnificent sight. The girls and I all talked about how we immediately think of the book/movie Angels and Demons when we think of Vatican City. That is kind of insulting to the Pope isn't it? We are a little pathetic. The sight was inspiring nonetheless. Two hours was plenty of time! Unfortunately, we weren't able to see The Spanish Steps either day we were in Rome. However, since I tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain, I should be returning to Rome again one day. What number of coins tossed into the fountain means: One coin - you'll return to Rome one day Two coins - you'll find love in Rome Three coins - you'll get married in Rome Four coins - you'll get divorced in Rome. After the bus tour, we started driving to our next destination called "The Tarot Garden." We drove first to a town called Capalbio. And we looked at the outdoor artwork by Niki de San Phalle I don't know how to describe her artwork in a way that would give it justice. It's different, no doubt. It's eccentric and modern. It's the art expression by a mental woman who couldn't quite figure out how to mesh it with the social world. Her art was her way of relieving all thoughts and emotions. It's something you'd find in Alice in Wonderland or on stage with Lady Gaga. Picture 22 huge statues made of tile and glass in strange human and animal forms. Now, imagine one of these statues large enough to live in. Yes, the artist had her own apartment inside the big boob lady statue. I love my professor! He is so hilarious and so light-hearted! He cracks us all up all the time and I don't think he even does it on purpose. He speaks his mind and it's so playful in a teasing, sarcastic manner. His thoughts on Jersey Shore cast visiting Florence: "Ew, they are so gross. So gross. Only Vinni is actually Italian and he's not even a good Italian!" His thoughts on our wine outing tomorrow: "Girls, you will love the Vineyard tomorrow. You will see a very good looking guy there. Sorry, he is married." His thoughts on being loud: "respect the quiet." His thoughts on eating on the bus: "We will eat before we get back on the bus. I'm pretty sure eating on the bus would be disgusting.... I'm positive." His thoughts on actors and rich Russian people who visit Forte die Marmi: "I've seen Denzel Washington here.... You know who's a horrible actor? Nicholas Cage and then after that Keanu Reeves." It is not really what he says that makes it funny but his face expressions and his tone - nonchalant.  The bus ride through Rome, Lazio, and Tuscany was beautiful. The terrain changes steadily with every mile. The houses have Spanish tile roofs. The scenery in Lazio looked a lot like the scenery in southern California. For a second even, parts of Tuscany even resembled the rolling hills in Guatemala. I also got my first glimpse of the Mediterranean during the drive! Cosimo says the water is very warm - around 80 degrees. Perfect.  We spent the night tonight in a gorgeous resort and the at the resort was exceptional. The meats and cheeses were so rich and fresh. You would't believe what we had for dessert! Nutella Pizza! I've noticed that Italians seem to love Nutella almost as much as I do! I'm sorry I don't have pictures with this post. I'm always a day behind in my blogging, but I'll try to catch up tonight. Internet wifi is really slow and downloading pictures takes forever. Check out my Facebook if you want to see pictures.

Jenna, Me, Emily, and Morgan at 

The Tarot Garden by Niki de San Phalle

Emily and I