ok, the picture uploading thing isn't working at the moment...

Today was more walking around, it's like a constant workout over here! Umm...it's always so hard to find somewhere to start for these things. Today was a much nicer day, it didn't rain at all. We started our day off by touring the St. Maria Maggiore - the church right next to our hostel. Then we heading off to St. Clemente Basilica which was absolutely amazing. Clemente was this guy that had a house church while the Christians were persecuted, and later on this church was built in his name on top of this secret meeting place. There were three floors of ruins underneath this church it was incredible!! Then we were off to Museum on Capitol hill...there was this amazing look out on the whole city from the top of the building where we had lunch.
In the afternoon we had our first painting class, I was amazed with the results. I was totally able to just do whatever and not tense up while I was working. It was the most beautiful experience ever. Painting in the Piazza Novana, just trying to capture the moment in this way that a photograph just can't. They might just be sketches to some people - but to me, wow...amazing. There was music playing in the background while i was painting and people walking by trying to peer at my book. It's like when you take the time to take an experience like that down in an artistic way you end up taking down so much more - the atmosphere, what you're feeling inside, the energy the people give off.
Just thinking about how Rome has been a muse for writers and artists for centuries, a place of inspiration - and now I'm a part of that, one of the many artist who share this experience of being in Italy....wow.

Wow, I'm in Rome. It still hasn't sunk in. Everything here is so amazing. I want to take a picture of everything, but at the same time I don't because the pictures do nothing any justice.
We went on a walking tour today, saw the Coliseum and like everything else...wow..everything is so huge. The Italians are all about 'go big or go home'.
The first day I had a bit of culture shock, just not knowing how to order food and get around. But I think after being here in Rome for a week things will start to come more naturally. Even today, after going on the walking tour with our teacher things we're getting better. The first day we basically had a free day, so we we're walking around aimlessly in the rain. The probably wasn't a good start to the trip, but today definitely made up for it. I've made alot of new friends already, everyone on the trip is really amazing and friendly.
I have so much to write I don't even know where to begin. Nothing i'm saying is doing anything any justice it's really frustrating!
There's scooters EVERYWHERE, I love it!! what else umm.. the churches are beautiful, so are the young Italian men...haha. The Italian guys are very flaboyant and flirtaeous, it makes things fun.
Wow, I could end up writing one of those infamous Beth style emails (I think some of you should know what I'm talking about- the novels she writes when she's away on some amazing vacation!) umm our hostels is...interesting! It's definitely part of the experience. It's right outside the st. maria maggiore in Rome (look it up...). The building has alot of character to put it nicely! and lost of stairs...thankfully we had this nice Italian boy Christie there to help up with our luggage - what a sweetheart. But ya, the rooms are small, the showers are questionable...and there's rats living in the walls..haha. Surprisingly I haven't complained one bit, I love it, I'm soaking it all in-and there's alot to soak in.

so that's all for now, there's already plenty of stories for when I come home and I've only really been here one day.

I think it's just starting to settle in now, with five minutes til the airport, that I'm going to be living somewhere else for 6 weeks. Took long enough for the indifference to pass.

hmmmm...

A person needs at intervals to separate from family and companions and go to new places. One must go without familiars in order to be open to influences, to change.

- Katharine Hathaway