Whats up!

Well dear friends, where do I even begin to share some of the highlights of my summer in Roma? I spent the weekend in the greater Naples area with Carlo, my cousin that is, not one of the Italian stallions that have offered to have me join them on weekend getaways. I have come to realize that is the way that the people in this city/country do for sex, as they live with their parents until they are nearing 40 (sorry, Joe-Joe!) so sex is either in a backseat or on a weekend getaway! Anyway, I had the chance to meet Ima and her family (Carlos little lady) and they are all very dear! It was a long trip but a great one as Saturday was spent doing one of my favorite sports; sunbathing, or as my Serbian roommate would say, "Taking the sun!" After two days in Caserta, we headed to Napoli where we enjoyed glorious vistas from Mt. Vesuvius and the busy ports where we purchased fresh seafood that was cooked for lunch a mere two hours later! Delectable! I returned safely to Roma and was greeted with of course a bus strike at 9:00 p.m. I did panic a bit thinking, "Where in the hell am I and how and the hell am I going to get home?" With some resourcefulness and a kick ass map, I was able to find my way home to Monte Verde! What should have taken 2 hours, took 5 hours! It was a late night, to say the least...

As for my actual Italian, it is going okay. I am not practicing as much as I would like because all of the Italians I meet speak English and find it easier to speak English. I have one friend however who is very patient with me and takes the time to correct me; he is very sweet, but I am feeling like the Italians have a different word for "friend"--more to come on that later...I couldnt possibly think about another man knowing that I am smitten with Luigi, my 36 year old single Italian teacher! He is absolutely adorable but he keeps a very professional distance from his students, including me!

I have been exploring with my little friend from Manhattan; the Forum, the Colloseum, the Fountain of Trevi, the markets, piazzas and many other fun venues, including awesome appertivo sites! I am even doing some "scouting" for "work" for next year....I am becoming like Bill Rice, this will all be a tax write off in the end!

Well, I am off to dinner with Carlos family tonight then to the beach after class tomorrow. That should be interesting, as public transportation and public beaches are surely a sight here; I am the only person in a one piece, without tatoos and piercings!

Anyway, I will update with more hysterical happenings later in the week; until then, arriverderci!