The top 12 of Roman living
Rachel Williams, Staff Columnist
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
I've been in Europe for just over three weeks now. After years of planning and dreaming there were a lot of things I was ready for and expected, but in just three weeks I could already fill a guidebook with the surprises, both good and bad.
* I didn't know that washing machines could be as tiny as the one in my apartment unless marketed as a toy for 6 year olds.
* I didn't know that ham could be sun-dried instead of cooked. I knew just enough Italian to get me into trouble when asked if I would like my ham sandwich "cotto" (cooked) or ...? Afraid of what the other option might be I insisted that my ham be "Cotto! Cotto! Si!"
* I didn't know how good it would feel to live without a cell phone. I can leave my apartment without anyone being able to interrupt my plans or worry if they were unable to reach me.
* I didn't know how much I would walk. Although Rome has great public transportation, few distances are great enough to justify both buying a ticket and missing the sights along the way.
* I didn't know how much fun it would be to shop for groceries.
* I didn't know how hard it would be to carry home groceries when I bought only one bag.
* I didn't know how hard it would be to keep a journal. I don't want to forget a single day, but at the end of a long, exciting day it is difficult to take the time to sit and write rather than sleep.
* I didn't know how important exact change would be. Although the ATMs usually give 50 euro bills (about $60) and possibly a few 20 euro bills (about $24), every merchant seems to demand exactly what is owed to them whether it is 50 euro or 8.5 euro (about $10).
* I didn't know how dependent I would be on the Internet. Given the time difference, e-mail is by far the most efficient and convenient way to keep in touch with friends and family. I was nearly the victim of a student stampede when it was announced that the server was back up after a day without access.
* I didn't know how comfortable I would be with my professor. Some of the best and funniest memories and conversations I've had this semester have included my professor and his wife.
* I didn't know how quickly the time would go by and yet how comfortable it would all seem - as though I have been here for months.
* Most importantly, I didn't know how much I would want to learn, not just in Rome, but after my study abroad. Although it will be difficult to trade reading in the Piazza Navona for writing papers at a dorm room desk, all the fascinating sights and people have made me determined to learn all I can so that when I return to Europe I will know more of the language and history and appreciate it all even more.
Rachel Williams is a staff columnist for The Traveler. She is studying abroad in Rome.
* I didn't know that washing machines could be as tiny as the one in my apartment unless marketed as a toy for 6 year olds.
* I didn't know that ham could be sun-dried instead of cooked. I knew just enough Italian to get me into trouble when asked if I would like my ham sandwich "cotto" (cooked) or ...? Afraid of what the other option might be I insisted that my ham be "Cotto! Cotto! Si!"
* I didn't know how good it would feel to live without a cell phone. I can leave my apartment without anyone being able to interrupt my plans or worry if they were unable to reach me.
* I didn't know how much I would walk. Although Rome has great public transportation, few distances are great enough to justify both buying a ticket and missing the sights along the way.
* I didn't know how much fun it would be to shop for groceries.
* I didn't know how hard it would be to carry home groceries when I bought only one bag.
* I didn't know how hard it would be to keep a journal. I don't want to forget a single day, but at the end of a long, exciting day it is difficult to take the time to sit and write rather than sleep.
* I didn't know how important exact change would be. Although the ATMs usually give 50 euro bills (about $60) and possibly a few 20 euro bills (about $24), every merchant seems to demand exactly what is owed to them whether it is 50 euro or 8.5 euro (about $10).
* I didn't know how dependent I would be on the Internet. Given the time difference, e-mail is by far the most efficient and convenient way to keep in touch with friends and family. I was nearly the victim of a student stampede when it was announced that the server was back up after a day without access.
* I didn't know how comfortable I would be with my professor. Some of the best and funniest memories and conversations I've had this semester have included my professor and his wife.
* I didn't know how quickly the time would go by and yet how comfortable it would all seem - as though I have been here for months.
* Most importantly, I didn't know how much I would want to learn, not just in Rome, but after my study abroad. Although it will be difficult to trade reading in the Piazza Navona for writing papers at a dorm room desk, all the fascinating sights and people have made me determined to learn all I can so that when I return to Europe I will know more of the language and history and appreciate it all even more.
Rachel Williams is a staff columnist for The Traveler. She is studying abroad in Rome.
