I Dug My Toes in the Sand.

Another weekend spent alone. However, unlike two weekends ago, I decided to actually do something with my time here. Rome is finally beginning to see spring, with temperatures reaching 16 and 17 degrees C. Although there are a few clouds out, some appearing rather threatening, it's sunny, breezy, and finally comfortable for the most part. I headed to Lido di Ostia today (the Roman beach). I'm presently sitting on an old, algea covered, concrete who knows what with my toes burried in the sand, listening to the waves. (Yes, this was written on paper before typed). Occasionally, a boat may pass causing the waves to wash over my feet. It's obviously not summer; the water can't be over 65 degress F. But nevertheless, I made it to the Mediterranean. I packed my lunch today, the usual sandwich of salami and spinach, sans hard boiled uove (egg). I even packed a small plastic bottle of my favorite cheap vino rosso. The beach is pleasantly deserted, leaving me to my thoughts. Fortunately for my class and me, we were given a month long metro/bus pass. There just so happens to be a metro line running all the way to Ostia. Essentially, tuition paid for an unlimited amount of beach trips. Maybe one night I can come out here (Ostia) for some fantastic seafood. I've been feeling some shrimp lately.

The water here is comparable to that of the Atlantic: cold until summer, a little murky, and the occasional batch of seaweed. But I can't complain. I'm getting some sun and relaxing for a bit. It's a good thing too. Our month long architecture project begins next week.

This next week, my class is taking an excusion to the crypts and ancient circus below St. Peter's Basilica. I cannot tell you how tremendously excited I am about partaking in this event. I've studied a bit about this area. It's layered and littered with ancient history.

I forgot to mention the shells here. They are completely intact. All of them. I guess this is due to the lack of drastic changing of tides unlike the Atlantic.

This week has been rather slow. After the presentations of the charrette projects, we pretty much had the rest of the week off with the exception of the drawing class. My British friend came back into town this week (remember me telling you about the group Nicole and I ran into a few weeks ago at the Trevi Fountain?). We grabbed some beers and relaxed in a piazza one evening. It's pretty exciting that I've made some international connections. Strange but still exciting. I met a girl on the bus today named Rebecca. She's from Delaware and studied in Rome for a semester. She's now studying in Milan but in Rome for the weekend. She says she misses Rome tremendously. Milan, as she tells me, has become so westernized while Rome still maintains a mediterranean feel. She helped me find my way to the train station, oddly enough. It was such a mess due to some concert/march/protest/who knows what all the red hats and banners were. Either way, I made it Piramide so I could change to the S. Paulo stop in oder to make it to Ostia. It was refreshing to stumble across someone who spoke English and Italian so she could easily ask why the busses weren't running normally. Just makes me crave to learn italian that much more.

I've tried Italian gum for the first time today. Tastes like peppermind but has the consistancy of a chewed starburst. Fantastic.

I've been so frustrated with myself lately. Things haven't been going in my favor but it seems when I have more work, I feel more focussed, more together, and not strewn all over the city.

Tonight is hamburger night! I went to the store this morning and found the cheapest hamburger meat and buns I could find. For a total of maybe three euros, I've got two patties and two fantastic oil rolls. I even got some chips to go with it. Now if only I could find some baked beans. I'm ready for my siesta!