So, it's clearly been a while. Fail on my part. This will be a picture-less entry, at least in its first incarnation, because I have far too many pictures to sort through, and we're getting ready to go out and explore Trastevere...
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of crazy. We've seen multiple examples of Etruscan tombs, involving climbing into sketchy underground tunnels, and taking notes on fresco paintings and tomb architecture. It was pretty cool though. We went to Tarquinia and Cerveteri, both centers where the Etruscans buried their dead in "necropoleis," which are cities of the dead. The closest thing I've seen are the cemeteries in New Orleans, but it's really remarkable how detailed the tombs were.
We even went in and laid down on the burial beds...kinda creepy, not gonna lie.
We've also seen a lot of old stuff. Like, a lot.
Buildings, and ruins, and rocks, and paintings, and stuff.
In art history, we've taken trips to the Vatican museums, and today to the church of San Maria del Poppolo, with the famous Chigi chapel (apparently significant to Angels and Demons?).
The Vatican museums were insane, way too many people, but I did manage to see a lot of cool paintings (Raphaels, etc.) and, of course, the Sistene ceiling (and I didn't snag an illegal picture...or did I?). It was absolutely breathtaking. The detail in each piece of the ceiling just blew my mind.
Today's art history trip was pretty cool, too. We saw some Pinturicchio (spelling??) chapels, and some crazy sculptures, and got to adventure through the sacristy behind the altar to see some more cool paintings. Then we saw the Chigi chapel, which is being rennovated, but was designed by Raphael and finished by Bernini. Crazy stuff. We also got to see two incredible Caravaggio paintings, the crucifixion of St. Peter and the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Amazing.
Last weekend we adventured south to Sorrento and Capri. 12 of us Centristi journeyed, first to Termini train station, where we missed several trains (but I did manage to finally secure a cell phone SIM card/plan!!), then on to Naples, then Sorrento. We stayed two nights in a hostel in Sorrento, my friend Sarah and I rooming with the four boys-don't worry, they all have girlfriends, hahahahaha. :)
Capri on Saturday was amazing. We took a boat ride around the island, and got to see the amazing rock formations and sights, and a bunch of famous villas: Sophia Loren, Giorgio Armani....you get the picture. We also got to go into the blue grotto, which is a natural grotto where the sunlight enters through a three foot high opening. The light reflects off the water, casting a blue glow on the entire cave-it was breathtakingly beautiful. But we had to enter in these little tiny rowboats, and get super close to fit through the opening, hahaha....AWKWARD. :P
We also hiked up to Tiberius' palace, after a delicious lunch of pizza. It was quite a hike, but well worth it. In emperor roll call (our way of taking attendance at Ancient City lectures and field trips), my friend Drew is Tiberius. Well, needless to say, he showed us around his palace. It was pretty hilarious. He also showed us where he pushed people off the island, but we all made it back alive. :)
We spent Saturday evening wandering Sorrento, and we tried Limoncello (it's apparently made there?). Definitely NOT my favorite. But then we got gelatto where the pope once ate gelatto (Nutella=DELICIOUS), so it was all good.
This week has been a whirlwind of class/field trips, highlighted by a trip to Alba Fucens, and an exclusive adventure into Roman aqueducts-talk about claustrophobia!! We also got special access into the Round Temple, courtesy of being ICCS students.
Today we had lunch at the Spanish Steps, then went into the first McDonalds ever established in Italy...hahaha. We also had our mandatory ICCS wine symposium, involving two whites, a rose, and a red, and lots of delicious yummies! I finally learned all those technical wine terms, and we got to look all fancy swirling our glasses and holding them up, and smelling them and slurping them and whatnot :)
This weekend is super exciting: we're off to Florence tomorrow, for the Uffisi Gallery, some Michelangelo, and all topped off by Latin Mass with Greogrian Chant at the Duomo on Sunday. I love my life <3
Ciao!
-Lauren
No comments:
Post a Comment