Tuesday we didn't have communications class either because Sean was abroad again. I spent most of the day back at work, but I had time, so I left work early to climb the Aventine Hill, which is conveniently right across the river from where I work. I had been wanting to see the hill for a long time, but I had never designated enough time to actually do it. It was gorgeous up there. I find that I love being up high. Climbing hills and mountains thrills me, and this one was no different. The hill is covered by an interesting mix of small adorable houses, a school, and a series of charming churches that look out over the rest of Rome. I also stumbled upon a little park with music and benches that I want to go back to because it was adorable. It would be perfect for a picnic!
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| Black kitties everywhere! |
Wednesday was extremely rainy--the rainiest I have experienced on my trip yet. I was thankful that I had bought an umbrella in Naples, because I made very good use of it! In the morning, we had internship class. A number of students from Roman Universities came and had a discussion with us about education and the job market in Rome vs. America. We basically reinforced everything that we've been learning about so far: Americans start work earlier, it's easier for us to get jobs, we get out of school faster because we have to pay for it, more of us live on our own because we can support ourselves more easily than Italians can.
After that we visited the catacombs for foods class! Unfortunately, we were late because it was pouring rain and the bus was 20 minutes late, so Sergio was extremely disappointed in us. We also had to endure a very damp and miserable 40 minute bus-ride just to get to the catacombs. We went to the northern entrance. Altogether, the tunnels span at least 8 miles, and there is still more that hasn't been excavated yet. We were there to see ancient frescoes important to the cultural heritage of wheat and bread. The most important one was called the "Breaking of the bread," in which seven people are sitting around a table, and one of the figures is breaking a piece of bread for all to share. It represents a change in the eating habits of ancient Romans, the importance of bread to the idea of sharing, and the centrality of bread in religion.
Thursday, we had a make-up class for foods and watched two videos. The first was called, "The End of the Line," which was an extremely emotional and important movie on the state of overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices all over the world. I highly recommend it to everyone. Species after species of fish is becoming endangered, many on the verge of extinction because we, humans, cannot quench our thirst for taking more than we need. We are greedy, and we have no limits, which is why we constantly take with no thought for sustaining future populations. Seeing videos like that and simply learning about the situation and what we, as consumers, can do to improve it, is extremely important.
Thursday afternoon, I had my first day volunteering at JRC, the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center. I love it there. I was working on the Artisan project, which was started by a group of refugees a little over a year ago to raise money for the center. The center provides clothing, sanitary resources, breakfast, and educational facilities for refugees (about 200 every day), as well as a place where they can relax, unwind, make friends, and develop community. For many refugees who are living in cramped quarters (up to 15 people in one room) with no sanitation or access to good food, this center is a life saver. It's an extremely important resource for them. Not only is the artisan project great for the center, it's also fun! They make beautiful colorful baskets and jewelry out of newspaper strips and "peace flags" that can be hung outside ones window out of old cloth. They taught me how to roll newspaper for the baskets.
Friday I visited Monte Sacro, a garden city neighborhood on the outskirts of the Rome city center. I found this neighborhood very intriguing. It seemed to me as though the housing itself was very successful: a mix of 2-story villini (tiny homes) and 6-story apartment buildings all had ample green space, large inner courtyards or personal gardens. The neighborhood is centralized by a large piazza with a government building, a large church, and a market, which brings people together, but I found that it was mostly car-dominated. The park of the neighborhood was quite deserted and full of trash. I was so tempted to say that it was a successful neighborhood (which, for the most part, it is), but at the same time it feels like there is something missing. I still need to do some more studying to decide what that something is.
Saturday was a full day of eating, eating, and more eating! I woke up and made myself a large egg breakfast before heading back to the refugee center to "volunteer." I put that in quotes because it really doesn't feel like volunteering--it's fun! By the time I arrived, the refugees were ready for lunch, so Rakeem, one of the refugees from Afghanistan, went to the grocery store. He decided to cook us a traditional Afghani dish that his mother used to make, and he allowed me to help! I am definitely going to make it again because it was delicious! The dish consisted of basmati rice cooked with salt and turmeric topped with a vegetable stew of onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, chickpeas, beans, and tuna. It was spiced with salt and cumin, and we were meant to use another spice, but we didn't have any and Rakeem couldn't remember the name. It was so good, but 8 people had to eat enough food for at least 15. Our plates were heaping full! I ate it all because I didn't want to be rude (and because it was delicious), but I was bursting. After lunch, they taught me how to roll newspaper rolls into beautiful bowls! They were very impressed by my ability to catch on so quickly and said I did an amazing job for my first bowl, but I think they were just being nice. Rakeem is an expert. He can now make bowls in the shape of hearts, teardrops, anything!
After finishing my bowl, I headed over to the Food truck festival in Testaccio! It took place in the courtyard of the ex-slaughterhouse--crazy, right? What was once a slaughterhouse is now an architecture school, museum, Curd refuge, horse stable, and slow food hub with a slow food, bio market! Also, they had rides for kids to play on. I was still full, but I had to try something at the market, so I got a sandwich from a truck called the Family Truck, or something like that. It had broccoli cream sauce, vegetables and meat inside, and it was delicious. I have had some of the best sandwiches of my life here in Rome.
Sunday, I woke up still full, so I went for a run and discovered Gianicolo Hill, which just happens to be right behind the Vatican and right by my apartment! It was a beautiful run with a wonderful view of the rest of the city. At the top is the famous statue of Garibaldi, a famous Roman general, and his kick-ass wife who is sitting on a rearing horse, suckling a baby, and shooting a pistol in the air all at the same time--what a woman! Also at the top is a giant villa with extensive parkland open to the public. I went for a nice long run there, but definitely want to go back to explore more! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with, so I don't have pictures, but you'll have to take my word that it's definitely worth the hike!
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