Traveling Essentials

Day 1

What I have learned from my trip:

• If you have the opportunity to shower and change in the middle of 30 hours of travel time, jump on it.

• Eating breakfast for 3 meals in a row is delicious (Count them: The first flight, the airport, and the second flight each provided me with a scrumptious morning meal. Skipping forward 11 hours will do that to a girl)

• No matter how long it has been since you last slept, you still have energy to explore a new city.

Despite the fact that I hadn't slept since my previous flight 14 hours prior, I could not shut my eyes during my flight from Istanbul to Rome: the views from the air were absolutely spectacular.  I saw the majesty of the Alps, the peace of the Italian countryside, and the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea showcased by a perfect winter sky.  What a way to start my stay in Italy.

My stay, along with half the other students in the program, is being hosted by the Suore Camaldolesi (Nuns.  I'm in a convent right now, and the girl who escaped a Catholic High School education is cringing on the inside.) on Aventine Hill, right next to the Tiber.  After a walking tour of the surrounding area, I'm way past wanting to get my feet wet, and am ready to jump all the way in.

Ciao
J