Yes, I know, It's been a while.

Ok, so I haven't had the time or will to blog lately, and honestly right now I don't either but I figure it's better to inform as to what I plan to do at college.  I will write every day, just as I will run and do a section of Rosetta Stone.  At this point I am looking forward to getting home from this endless vacation.  It's really quite nice to be at home for a change.  So, when I have a chance to relax and get into a pattern again, I'll write and it'll be good. I promise.  -Z

The Past Few Days

I’ll be the first to admit that my lack of posting over the past couple days has been in part because I have been tired and in part because I have been busy doing absolutely nothing.  Quite busy, actually.  Even now I feel supremely distracted……by nothing.  As I have a few days to recount, I think I had better get down to business.  First and foremost I have to discuss orientation.  After a day of meetings and discussions about school I feel no more oriented than when I got there.  The value of the say was in scheduling, learning the finer points of my scholarship, finding where to apply for a job and in meeting some more advisors and people that I will need to know.  It took upwards of an hour and a half to work out my business for the next year.  The good thing is that it is taken care of.  My residence hall, Braxton Tower, is about forty or so feet from five tennis courts and less than a quarter mile form the rec center.  What a bonus to living on the Evansdale campus.  To me that is better than living downtown.  But everything will work out for the best it has up until this point.  When I made it back to my aunt and uncle’s house the power was out.  So I had no power and a dead phone.  No internet and no blog.  Pretty much played cards for a while and then ended up in bed.  The next day I didn’t do a whole lot, and the day after that was like the first.  Today we went out to breakfast at a local diner and then to a local historical site.  The volunteers there still dress in period clothing and tell you about the site.  It was a good time.  Then potato pancakes, as tradition prescribes, and packing up and moving out.  Now I am in the car home with minimal energy, so I guess I’ll stop writing for now, I realize that I have done a shoddy job lately and I will make an effort to get a little more sleep and to improve the quality of my posts!  Hopefully this guy can put as much humor in here as there are bad Asian drivers.  So until later, take care.  -Z

Accidents Happen

Yesterdays post is stuck in limbo on the droid until I figure out how to email the free app's document to myself. Right now? The power is out and and that means that my phone is still dead. The joys of chance! Hopefully tomorrow I can put up yesterdays post and use my phone again. I promise some good content tomorrow including a description of my orientation day. For now, bed. -Z

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

For Better or Worse

Without question today was a bit more than I had anticipated. Not necessarily in a bad sense, but inasmuch as  to be thoroughly confusing. We managed to get slightly lost while walking around Morgantown attempting to find a place to eat. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, just more unexpected than anything else. I did my share of dumb things today including losing badly at ping pong (which if you think about it is an unbelievably racist name for the game, I swear that someone has had to have made a standup routine out of it. I'm sorry, it's just racist) and in addition to that I managed to make one of my first acts on campus to be locking my room key inside of my room. One would think that I might have enough distraught to put our back ok my pocket, but o spouse that I am entitled to a dumb mistake as often as I need one. Nobody ever tries to make mistakes, they just seem to happen. Otherwise they would call them purposes. I don't know, that was a terrible joke and I am truly sorry for it. We managed to finally find a place to eat, Fox's Pizza Den and it truly was as good as I remember it. In other news, these couple posts have come from a Droid, that is to say, my first experience using the mystical powers of swype type. It did take a little being used to, but I do declare that I think that I am adapting quite well to this new technology. I will admit thati am getting tired, but as I cannot get in my room without a key, I am helpless. Perhaps it would be smart to go back upstairs and check and see if I can get into my room. I wish I could write more buy this swype type really takes a toll on you after a while. I promise that I am doing the best that I can. As my eyelids are getting heavier and the swype type os becomeing more and more onerous each passing second, I find out wise to leave you for the night. Tomorrow I should be able to write from a proper computer. The day is mine. -Z

Back And Then Gone Again

It seems that as soon as I get back that I have to leave again. This isn't a huge issue, but I'll admit it would be nice to be at home for a couple days at a time without having to worry about what I had to do next. So I am a busier boy than I thought I was. Life seems to enjoy keeping one busy when they need the rest. I had a wonderful breakfast this morning and it really hit the spot. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed having a proper breakfast. Needless to say, hot bacon and waffles with peaches and maple syrup made my morning a whole lot more enjoyable. Now I am in the car on my way to my aunts to drop some stuff off before we go down to WVU. I am slightly anxious about orientation but I am sure that everything will work out in my favor. Things always seem to work out well enough. I am learning more every day to appreciate what I have and to recognize that other people act certain ways not because they want to upset you (although some do) but because they are acting out of their own insecurities. Something to consider I suppose. The open road is calling me, it is a welcome change of pace from airplanes and public transport. I think I will enjoy looking out the window. -Z

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.1

And Sometimes You Just Wonder

I doubt that there is a way to beat jet lag travelling East to West.  There may be one but it is beyond me and I can say with certainty that I don't know what it could be.  I really hate to have another short post up, but I honestly am still quite tired from travelling and I still have to pack for my trip to West Virginia (orientation is this week) and for Pennsylvania this weekend.  It would be great if I could be awake right now but as I am not I think it is fitting to call it an early night!  Until tomorrow, I promise!  -Z

Close Enough to Yesterday but Clearly Today

Sorry I didn't manage to get on a little bit earlier, but the general concept is that I got back to Cleveland and went out for a bite to eat and then made it home.  I seemed to have a lot to take care of tonight!  You never know what you are going to have to do.  Anyway I am safe and sound and finally writing from my own bed.  I love it, I missed it.  But I'm back in the states for a while now, maybe I was abroad too much.  It was glorious though.  I think I'd do it again.  -Z

TSA Approved

In New York now and I'll have to say that the flight went better than I could have expected. The entertainment was much better than the first flight and it is because we could choose out own individual movies. It was more than bearable. We now have a short layover in JFK which is made better that they have row upon row of iPad kiosks for free public use. Hence I am able to blog for a bit. I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight let me tell you. I am also glad to be back on eastearn time. It's good to be back in the USA. This is unbelievably hard to type on, so my next post will come from m home computer upon my arrival tonight. -Z

The Evening of the Last Night

It is a shame to say that it is my last night in Rome but I honestly can say that I had the best eveing possible.  My roommate and I went to the same pizza place that I had already been to while everyone else went for a sit down dinner and a revisit of the Pantheon.  We had a lot more fun and walked down Natzionale till we got to the Colosseo and then sat there for about two or three hours and watched the sun set over the Colleseo, the Arch of Constantine, and the Basilica of Constantine.  It was really fantastic.  I ended up giving tour advice to a couple of older people and they told me some stories as well.  I now know that Nixon's favortie beer was Heiniken and that he enjoied watching the Flintstones.  We then walked back to the convent but made sure to pick up gelato (large size, of course) on our way.  The nun at the desk wouldn't let me take mine to the computer--which was wise, you all know what a sloppy eater I am--and it is upstairs now so I had better go get it before it melts!  All in all I can say that I loved the trip despite the problems that some people caused and are still trying to cause, but doing my own thing these past two days has really paid off and I have enjoied myself much more because of it.  I think it should be a bit of an early bedtime as I am dreading the plane ride home.....I think I will get a Taco Bell burrito on the way home from the airport.  Very American of me.  I think that my stomach will know that I am home then!  As I can feel that my gelato is turning to liquid, I think it is fitting and proper to go eat it.  For the last time, Arrividerci, Roma, e buena notte! -Z

I'm Basically Rick Steves

Today I did my own thing while everyone else decided to be lazy and do nothing.  It was--first and foermost--a very long walk but in my mind it was well worth it.  I started the day at ten with a pear from the fruitstand near the convent and then proceeded to walk down the road twoard the Ara Pacis Agustae.  I figured that if I headed in the direction of the Spanish Steps that I would be fine, and lo and behold, I was.  The Alter was brilliantly preserved and the frieze on the side was especially exciting for me!  After spending about an hour there (not to mention the 9€ to get in!) I moved outside to walk around the Mausoleum of Augustus.  No one was allowed in, but that does not detract from the fact that it is an impressive building.  Then I decided to walk over the Pont Cavour and go to Castel Sant'Angelo.  This is a mevieval castle that was previously the imposing tomb of the emporer Hadrian, you know, the guy with the wall.  I spent an hour or so in there and then took a stroll down the Tiber river to cross at Tiber Island so I could see the Theatre of Marcellus.  It was probably the only ruin I've seen on the trip that didn't cost me anything to view.  Thank goodness too because I am running a little low on Euro, but I refuse to take out anymore seeing as I am leaving tomorrow.  I spent some money on a T-shirt for my brother and currently have only 3€ left!  I know the perfect place for dinner where I can get a calzone for 3.5€.  I'm sure I can get a half euro from someone!  I don't want to nap but I'll tell you after walking around a vast majority of Rome I feel that I deserve it!  I have a feeling that I will post something later today so I won't ramble.  Between now and then?  A good shower and shave, sitting and observing the people, maybe a sit on the roof, and I think I will pack my suitcase a little better than it is packed already.  Ah well, can't have everything in perfect order!  -Z

Dinner Alone and Loving It

As described in the title, I went my own way tonight.  Everyone else was excited to go to a place that we had already gone to before and that I had thought was overrated.  So I did my own thing and went down to Via Napoli and ate at a little pizzareia that I had found a couple nights ago.  They make you your own pizza and you get a coke too, all for 5€.  What a deal!  It was rather tasty and I was able to eat at my own pace.  You'd think that a big city like this would be intimiadating at night, but it is actually really safe.  The beggars are only out in the daytime and the nightlife here is rather impressive.  There always seems to be a play going on or something of the sort.  So my evening was relaxing and I was able to chill away from everyone else.  I'd chalk that up as a win.  There was nothing eventful that happened between my last post and now, but you all know how much I like to talk!  Tomorrow is a free day so I intend to use it for historical stuff, preferably Hadrian's tomb and the Ara Pacis.  So perhaps I will get up early and get on a bus or something....but until then, buena notte! -Z

Pompei e Firenze

So yesterday we went to Pompei, early in the morning and walked around for longer than you might have expected.  If you were to put a younger child in a candy store that would be a proper analogue for me and Pompei.  It is east to see why people devote their lives to the study of the classics, I have to admit it is a tempting route to take.  The plaster casts of the bodies were not as spectacular as the buildings and the sheer amount of things that were preserved.  As it would be easy to predict, I was all over it.  I love this country and can't seem to get enough of it.  In the late afternoon and evening we made a sport of waiting around for the train to come.  I got on and decided to go to the WC (somehow the British termenology, Water Closet, has made it to Italy and stuck) and when I came back some Gypsy woman had seatjacked me.  I figured she needed it more than I did so I adjusted and found another place to sit by a complete stranger.  All worked out, as it always does.  It's not that I am homesick so much as I would prefer to have better communication back home.  As I write I am sitting in an internet cafe off the streets of Florence.  I coldn't write anything yesterday because the internet at the convent is down, or as the nun and I were telling people, "no internet oggi."  I wanted to write but there was no way, and now I have forgotten some of the things that I wanted to mention about Pompei.  Here in Florence the shopping is crazy, but I can't seem to find any jewelry that I like enough to buy.  I found a couple good things including a cape that someone had asked for (it is more of a poncho and is very red but I hope she will like it--it does fold square--) and I got an etching for myself.  It seems to be fun here, but a lot of the people that are selling stuff are not Italian or even close to Italian.  There are a lot of Indians and Chineese here.  It surprised me, that's for sure.  I decided to take the time out of my day now to write because I honestly don't know when I will be able to get back on later.  Here in Florence I saw the Dome on the Cathedral.  Along with designing it, Fillipo Brunelleschi is buried under it.  Some other notable sights were the Rape of the Sabine Women, and Vinny and Pauly D from Jersey Shore.  I knew that if I wasn't looking for them, I would be the one to find them.  Funny how things work out.  Alas I didn't really care that much but I kid you not I was standing a foot in front of them, turn around and realize that they are sitting on the step behind me.  It's funnier because a lot of the people who were causing me mental pain would have killed to see them.  And then there's me, wandering around looking for lunch.  All I have to say is ha.  I win again!  I hope that I am able to get on later tonight, but I am not too sure that that is going to be possible. You never know what is going to happen here in Italy, wether it is a bus running late or a treni (a train) running early, you just have to roll with the punches.  Apart from everyone else still being annoying and immature as ever I am having a great time and doing my best to take in as much culture as I can.  As my internet is about to expire I leave you.  It will only be a few days till I am back home, back where I know what is going on and can sleep in my own bed.  Until then.  -Z

Another dollar?

The word of the day is impressive.  I saw the Greek temples at Paestum and was thoroughly pleased.  I have to say that they, the best preserved one really, was one of the best things I have seen on the trip and perhaps in my life.  Needless to say I am in a great mood.  Tomorrow should be the stuff of dreams though.  There was a museum at Paestum as well with a whole lot of Greek material from the scavi (excavation site) and it was all well preserved.  Without question I am enjoying each archaeological site more than the last.  I live for this stuff.  Hopefully I will be able to travel a lot in my lifetime because I seem to be loving it.  Later we (and by we I mean myself and the adults) went to Sorrento.  If you picture the ideal Italian town with flowered streets and alleys with loads of shopping, you'd be thinking of Sorrento.  I think everyone missed out because not only was there a fantastic view of the M
edeterrainian, but also of the coastline.  I made my second stop at the ATM today to pick up some cash for Florence.  I think I know what I will be getting as gifts......but I'm not telling!  It has been a lot of fun though I feel that a lot of people don't like me.  I have heard people talking behind my back and it's really annoying.  Just because I actually want to be here to see the historical sites and not drink all the time they don't like me.  I get excited about history, I'm a dork I admit that freely.  This is a trip of a lifetime for me and I refuse to be bogged down and slowed by idiots.  Sorry for my language but this has been brewing for a while and I have tried to keep personal feelings out of this but it has just gotten to be too much.  In many respects I would have rather come on my own.  I think I am going to go to bed early tonight, and I intend to keep to myself tomorrow too.  I have been and I have a much better time.  I miss my real friends.  I miss having real conversations with people I care about.  Hell I even miss bumming around on the couch.  These people are a plague.  Give me locusts, give me boils, anything but this.  Ignoring things just hasn't been working out.  But tomorrow is Pompeii and that I am excited for.  I will have a great time and I know that.  Stebbs said that I will freak out and go nuts because the ruins are so well preserved.  I guess it's hard being mature, and that's something that I will have to deal with.  I'm really sorry that I am rambling now but I must be a little starved of social interaction. I'm done playing nice, I swear.  I appreciate all of you and will make an effort to tell you why when I get back.  I have to find a stopping place somewhere, so here it is.  Till tomorrow.  -Z

La Cena e Whatever the Word For Bed is

After dinner, which might I add was quite good, I just sat around like a lazy bum.  I'll admit I am starting to get accustomed to this Bella vita over here.  Swimming in the pool was nice but since I am a little sunburned it seemed to aggravate it, which I should have expected.  I did enjoy myself.  That seems to be a theme developing here.  I sat in front of the television in the lobby and surfed through about two hundred channels until I found soccer--the one thing that I could watch and understand--and I even considered getting another coke.  I figure that can wait till tomorrow.  I have had a lot of time to myself today to think and I realized how very far from home I actually am.  The people here make me miss talking to the people that I care about.   I hate to get sappy this far in but I suppose I didn't realize how much I socialize when I'm back home.  It will be nice to have my phone back but in many respects I am glad that I do not have it.  I don't think that it has hit me that I am on the complete opposite side of the globe yet.....I fell asleep and woke up in Italy.  It will and I know it will, but I have a feeling that it will not be until I get back.  Tomorrow is going to be a busy day I hear, we are going via tour bus to Paestum to see some well-preserved Greek temples which date to 600 BC.  Sound to me that if I had an alley, Paestum would be up it!  Because of this I think it is fitting and proper to call it an early night, I am pretty sure that I need it anyway. Miss you all.  -Z

Villa dei Misteri

Today was more of a travel day than anything else.  Although we saw and did a bit, it was not the same as seeing a ton of ruins.  We made it to our hotel outside of Napoli safe and sound.  I'll chalk that up as a win.  The only bad thing that happened on the way was that Stebbs got pickpocketed, but fortunately he only lost twenty euro.  I was hoping that the hotel would have a computer with an SD port, but, as it turns out, it doesn't even have a courtesy computer.  They do have wifi but you have to pay to use it.  Well worth it to me because I can type my posts offline and then upload them later.  This is my first experience writing a serious amount on an iPod.  My room is poolside, and I'm sure I will go for a swim later.  When we got here we went up on a nearby mountain via cable car. The air was crisp and cool which was a dramatic change from what I have been experiencing.  I have to admit it is nice to sit around, I realize now how much I have seen, but that makes me think about how much more to see there really is.  Dinner here I hear is good, so I am looking forward to that as I haven't eaten a whole lot today.  I am very excited to go see Pompeii mostly because the ruins are so well preserved.  There are a few frescoes that I am looking forward to as I have spent some time studying them.  Beyond that I'm not sure what to say as I'm not completely sure what else we will be up to!  I will write tonight after dinner as I am no longer constrained by everyone else trying to get on the same computer.  That became a bit of an issue.  I guess I just have a lot to say! -Z

Morning Via Napoli

Sitting here right before we leave for Naples and I am pretty pumped!  We have an hour and a half train ride and then we will be there.  I think I'll take a nap on the train, alothough I did get good sleep last night.  My spirits are high and my bag is packed.  The only negative in sight is that i have a strip of sunburn on my back that is going to be an irritant, but I have it much better than most people.  Not much else going on....yet!  -Z

Ostia and Opera

Today was something out of a travel book.  Not only did I tour the ruins of Rome's first major port (and I did it in style, believe me) but I also spent the afternoon in the Roman Lido, the beach!  I am getting tanner and tanner every day, I'm worried I'll come home and not fit in!  The Medeterrainian was cold but that was alright with me.  The day was as close to perfect as it could have been.  The beach time was well needed and thoroughly relaxing.  Later we came back to the convent for something else that was well needed--a shower and shave--and then went down (up?) to the Piazza Espagna and the Spanish steps.  This guy was diligent and found where there was an Opera group preforming tonight and Stebbs and I had dinner together and caught the show.  It was in a Gothic Anglican Church that was about three blocks from the plaza.  The setting was intimate which made the singing all the more impressive.  The mezzo was almost as seduvtive and enchanting as she was talented.  The entire show was engaging.  We had a blast.  The plan was to take a taxi but it seems that the Taxi drivers all are on strike, so we walked back to the convent.  It's not terribly far, and Rome is a beautiful city to walk at night.  I know I keep saying this again and again, but I truly love it here, I can see why so many people come to see it.  There's always more to say, but for now, I am finished.  -Z

After Dinner

Not a whole lot happened between my last post and now, just some leisure time sitting around and hanging out in my room.  The view from the roof is excellent--you can see the top of the Collesseo--and I sat there for a bit with a mineral water.  Later, my roommate and I walked down Cavoure (a major street) and caught abite to eat.  He (like everyone else) at at Burger King.  The experience was the same: lame service and heartburn to top it off.  I couldn't see myself doing that.  So we walked and we walked about a dozen or so blocks and I found a place that had a Calzone & Coke deal for €3.50 and I jumped on it.  Mushroom.  It was excellent.  I hadn't planned on the Coke, but it tasted REALLY good.  I guess there is something to be said about things that remind you of home.  I'm actually still sipping on it as I am writing.  My good mood and feeling has continued to last and I am in excellent spirits.  My health is yet again intact.  Tomorrow we are going to Ostia Antica (basic translation-old port) which is a beach day.  I think I'll wear my trunks but I'd rather not get totally wet as I'm not sure if I'm fully recovered yet.  Anyway I feel great now and I think I'll take the remainder of my Coke up to the roof.  It has been a superb day.  -Z

P.S. My apologies for all teh misspellings, not only was I sick, but I don't proofread (I don't have time to) and the spell check here is in Italian, so it says that a good 90% of my words are mispelled....   

The Other Hand: This is what's on it.

I am much imporved today.  The broad spectrum antibiotics worked a miracle on me and my fever is gone.  So today we got up and went to a totally different country.  Well, in a way I suppose.  We went to the Vatican!  The museum was fantastic (considering that they managed to "preserve" so much from so many parts of the world it oughta be) and I honestly believe that I could spend a solid week in there and not get bored.  It is literally huge.  I saw the original "Augustus of Prima Porta" and took my picture next to him standing the same way.  Looked pretty good if I do say so myself.  I then stood and marveled at the "School of Athens" by Rafael.  Can you even believe that some people were looking the other way?  I was awestruck.  By the art, I mean.  We then went to St. Peter's Basilica and I walked around with a Deacon from Colorado who has been studying here for four years.  He is getting ordained on the 18th.  Anyway he really knew his stuff and was glad to share it.  That really made the experience special.  Seeing the "Pieta" up close left me breathless!  Then I had lunch at a nearby bar (they aren't like American bars, when you see bar you think coffee and panini, they do serve alcohol but that is not the focus).  My sandwich was pretty darn good. I mailed a postcard from the Vatican post office.  Then we all made it back to the convent where, on the way, I bought una mela--an apple--and another roll of film for my camera.  Good thing I brought digital too because I have taken about 300 pictures with it already!  I showered and I think I'm about to go upstairs and rest my legs before we go back out later.  It has been a great day, without question.  -Z

Murphy's Law

Maybe a bit of an exxageration.....but still.  I ended up in an Italian hospital (Sancto Spirito) where the nursing staff and doctors spoke solo italiano.  So I'm in a foerign country and all I get to experience is the nationalized healthcare (which actually is impressive-basic care is free for anyone).  I hate to say that I am glad that I missed today but I sure am.  I needed the sleep.  Unfortunatly sleep doesn't cure anything.  Except tiredness.  So I am off to bed again tonight, I really feel that I can use it.  -Z

Today Was Great But It Could Have Been Better

I am sick and I have blisters on two toes.  I have no idea what is wrong with me as I am staying hydrated.  I just layed in my bed for an hour and I was burning up with the air conditioner on full blast.  Amidst of all this I was still the most energetic person on the tour, and I went through a museum seeing every single statue and piece of sculpture.  We also saw the Collesseo which wasn't as impressive as it is cracked up to be.  Potentially the hilight of my day was San Paulo, the magnificent Basilica when St. Paul is buried.  I don't know if I am going to leave tonight but wer are seeing the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.  I really want to go but I don't know if I will make it.  I'm so sorry this post isn't up to my usual standards.  I am having a hard time thinking straight but I want to see the Pantheon so bad.  It is one of the things that was on the top of my list.  I really don't know what else to say right now so I think I will talk to you later.  -Z

Dia Due, Parte Tre

After my rest at the convent I made it out with the group to a place called Pasta Love.  It was more than fantastic.  You all should know that I am frugal, but tonight I had a three course meal not to mention bread, biscotti and gelato afterward.  Antipasto: Oysters.  Prima Pattie: rigatonni and some sauce (I'm not sure what it was).  Secunda Pattie: Fried veal.  Everything was fantastic and I really can't describe how it was.  All I'm saying is that you should be jealous.  I am quite tired and ready for bed but I think we are going to sit up and talk for a bit.  Tomorrow is going to be even better as today, I am consistantly impressed with not only the city, but the people also.  I like it here.  Mi piace.  -Z

Dia Due, Parte Due

Back at the convent for a little rest and rexalation, but more importantly, an escape from the heat.  It was a hot one indeed.  Didn't go inside the Colleseum yet because it had a long line and by the time we were ready to go back the street leading to it had been closed off.  We did, however, see the Imperial Palace on the Palatine hill and actually got to walk through some of the ruins.  It is stunning to see a ancient marble floor in the middle of a bunch of dirt and be able to go up to it and see it and touch it.  We then moved on to see all of the major arches (Constantine, Titus, Semptimius Severus), and the Forum.  After lunch we made it into what would be the equivilent of the Smithsonian, and I saw the famous bronze of Marcus Aurelius on his horse.  There was much more including a fantastic collection of busts and statuary, but to comment on each individual one would take me weeks.  I suppose that is what they have the curators for!  The general consensus after seeing the museum was to head back to the convent, but Zach here never winds down, and I wanted to see more.  Stebbins and I went on a little side trip to the Market of Trajan, and I speak for both of us when I say that it was a unique and out of the way place.  Thinking of all the ancients actually shopping here gave both of us chills.  We even figured out which ones were the beverage stalls and saw one that had holes in the walls for a counter (or something of that nature).  The market was special in that I didn't have guards breathing down my neck the whole time....that was nice.  It was expensive (€9) but well worth it.  There is so much to see and I have a feeling that it is really only Stebbs and I that want to see everything.  I can not get enough of this.  Whether it is simply an overturned capital--the top section of a colum--or the ruins of a grand villa I am interested.  I don't care that some things aren't as well-preserved as others, I am just glad to be here and suck up all of the history that I can.  Without reservation I can say that I am doing my best to do that!  Took a passel of film pictures today but way more digital.  I am developing quite the eye for photography!  Hopefully I can put up a few pictures during the trip but that won't be till later as the computers here do not have an SD card port.  In fact the only thing they seem to have is a keyboard.....and we already know how I feel about those.  I think it is high time for me to lay down and rest my legs, but before that I am going out for gelato!  Ciao for now.  -Z

Morning Dia Due

Goodmorning, Italia!  I'm up and fresh, shaved and fed and in excellent spirits! It is going to be a good day.  We are allowed to wear shorts today and I am taking advantage of that.  The only thing I have with me is about €60 and my cameras.  We are going to the Colleseum so I figure some old-school picture taking is in order.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  Sidenote: we have air conditioning in our room and it worked out perfect last night, I only woke up once in the night.  Also the keyboards here have keys moved around in strange places and seem to be cramped because of the extra keys for accented letters (the apostrophe is up next to the zero!).  Anyway I am off to explore Roma now, so until later! Ciao! -Z

Dia Uno Parte Due

To start: at least dinner worked out.  The day ended up a total wreck with wrong buses, rain, and a crew of peers who seemed less than enthused that we were in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  I, however, could not wait to see as much as we could.  I am still pumped to be here and I reall feel that I am still not jetlagged at all.  All I want to do is to go see Rome at night!  For dinner we went to a place a few streets over and the fare was excellent.  I spent around 17 euro for my meal which consisted of a veal T-bone steak and light colored potatoes, a strange garnish, and some of the house red vino.  All in all a successful meal which was greatly enjoied.  The steak was cooked perfectly and I took my time eating it.  The rain put a bit of a damper on the afternoon, but I made the best of it and saw the Porta Maggiore while everyone else was sheltered in a bus station.  Public transport here is kinda crazy, but it is more than managable.  This is looking to be a fantastic trip!  Till tomorrow.  -Z

In Italia, the Flight, etc.

I managed, through faith and due diligence, to beat jet lag!  It is 2:22 here and I am feeling fine.  Apparently today is the Vita la Forza Militaria, so there was a large military parade and it was rather exciting!  But I'm sure that you're just DYING to know how the flight was.....we had a traffic jam on the runway and turbulence (which I managed to half sleep through) and after that the smallest of all airplane meals that would not have suited a midget.  In the intrest of time I will spare you the details of the trip over, but when we got to Rome and were on the subway, we found that because of the parade the stops that we needed were closed and so we proceeded to mash our way through literally thousands of people.  I was about three feet away from the Italian President (just pure happenstance) and my roommate TJ actually shook his hand as he rushed through the crowd.  Now I am all showered and clean, still hungry as a bear, but I'll live.  There is much more to come on this exciting journey.  I cannot wait to see more!  Hope all is well back in the States, for all is certainly well here.  Sidenote: I realized how much I took for granted brushing my teeth as often as I wanted to...you sure can't do that on an international flight.  Now with my fedora in hand and a Camelback on my, well, back, I leave you!  I'll try to write upon our return tonight, if that is not possible tomorrow for sure! -Z

One day more!

Although the song from Les Mis is totally inappropriate to describe my elation I look to it anyway because the title is.  Today was hot! Hopefully the temp in Italia will be cooler.  Weather says it will be around 80 the whole week, but who can really trust the weatherman?  I got a whole lot of nothing done on my journal, I suppose it's for the best.  It was stressing me out so I'll just take it in stride and rely on what I already know.  Cleared camera memory card, packed film camera, and now I know why disposable razors are so cheap.....needless to say I am taking a good razor with me.  Gah I am trying to write but I am way to excited to even think in complete sentences!  My current challenge: beat jet lag and sleep on the plane.  I already have earplugs, and with an in-flight movie like Eat Pray Love I won't have to think twice about using them.  And that, my friends, is a hard fact.  Till tomorrow then. In Italy. -Z

Both tick and tock

If I had one word for my day today it would be brilliant.  Not only did I have the honor of speaking at the Memorial Day remembrance on the square, but I was treated like a big shot too.  Walked with the mayor and city council and trustees!  Only a few people recognized me though, but that's not a huge loss.  Played some tennis with the guys on a full stomach (steak for lunch) and got slightly sunburned.  I swear, I put sunscreen on.  I'll be fine.  Here's the more exciting part: Italy, here I come.  Suitcase is packed, well mostly packed.  It'll get there tomorrow.  Grand diary (my personal notes on the places I will be seeing) is not nearly close to being finished, but you win some, you lose some.  You can't do it all, at least I certainly can't.  I do try the best I can.  If the day had 30 hours it still probably wouldn't be enough for me as I need all the time I can get....I have a lot that I want to do! But the time is ticking down till I board my place in CLE and hopefully arrive safely and without delay in ADR.  And let's also hope I don't have to sit next to crying babies, sick people, weird people, or any other unfortunate kind of person on my trans-Atlantic flight!  But that is most certainly out of my control!  I'll leave you with this: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do in Italy!"
Cheers, Zach

And the date draws near...

As Wednesday approaches I become more and more excited each day.  Italy is going to be more than spectacular.  Do I have high expectations?  Of course!  After studying Latin and Art History and some Roman Architecture, I am going to want to see everything and experience all that I can.  My only regret is not making time to learn the language, but hey, you can't do it all.  I will literally be on cloud nine when my flight takes of for the first leg of the journey to Italia! I still have to finish my travel journal (and it will get done, I promise you).  Bought sunscreen and travel essentials along with thrift-store clothing so if I lose anything I won't miss it too much.  This is looking to be the most eventful two weeks of my life thus far.  Apart from Italy, the VFW post in town has asked me to speak at tomorrow's Memorial Day parade and I intend to do the best job possible.  I only have a few edits on my speech left and then I will be content.  Right now I am off to grab a bite and play some tennis. Till tomorrow. -Z