The List

"The List." Everyone has one. Whether it's a place to visit, something to eat or some crazy activity, we all have a list of something that we want to accomplish. During our first few days in Italy, my roommates and I compiled a list of "must-sees" and "do's" while in Italy.

After a long day of shopping, we decided it was time to find the best gelato in Florence and cross it off our list.

#1: Grom

After turning down several side streets and asking for directions several tines, we knew we had reached our destination when there was a line out the door. If you don't know, it is actually quite cold here in Florence. The fact that there was a line out the door to get gelato in the middle of January says something.

Each scoop of gelato was carefully blended to ensure that each bite was creamy and smooth. The list of flavors were endless but, I stuck to my roots and ordered chocolate chip. Or, in Italian, stracciatella.

By far, it was the best gelato I've had to date. We can now officially cross it off our list!

#1: Grom.

...

I can't believe I live here...

This is just the beginning...

I still think I am living in a dream. I can't get over the fact that I'm actually living here for the next 4 months. This cannot be real life.

This is what I get to eat....everyday.

My first Italian Pizza ("Margherita" apparently is cheese and not tomato, basil and mozzarella)

Gnocchi. 

I'm so thirsty!

So...it's official. Wine is the equivalent of water here in Italy and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I understand that this is probably the best wine I will ever have in my life but sometimes a girl just wants a glass of water (especially after indulging in chocolate gelato).

Also, by the time you order enough water to quench your thirst, it would have been cheaper to buy a liter of wine to share with the table. I'm also not a fan of paying 2 or 3 euros for a bottle of water that is usually only good for too small glasses. I've considered taking my water bottle into restaurants but figured that might offend the Italians. However, I might have to make an exception and ignore their feelings on this one.

xoxo,
Meggie

Roma. Roma. Roma.

Well first of all, this entire page as well as the internet is all in Italian so this should be interesting.

For the past three days, I have found myself in the beautiful city of Rome, which was where my Italian adventure first began.

There, I saw the Coliseum, The Forum, The Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps and of course, The Vatican. However, seeing the Trevi Fountain was actually a mistake and happened after several failed attempts to see The Spanish Steps.

You see, it all began around 5 P.M. when my roommate Nicole and I decided to take an adventure around Rome. With my map in hand we set out for The Spanish Steps*. After turning right out of our apartment (instead of left), we found ourselves asking a local cafe owner how to get there. We should have taken a hint when she said, "Are you going by train or bus." However, determined to see the city and find The Spanish Steps, we continued to walk. This time, in the correct direction. Due to our lack of common Italian phrases, we had to rely on pointing to the map and doing our best to correctly pronounce the few words we did know. After being told to go straight for a "little bit" and then turn left and then right, we found ourselves at a fork in the road and no way to continue straight. We then decided to ask a local street art artist where the Spanish Steps were located. And, by ask, I really mean, we pointed to his painting of the Spanish Steps and used hand gestures. He then proceeded to direct us "straight" once again, which eventually led us to another fork in the road. However, it was there that we ran into some other foreign exchange students who were in search of an Apple Store. There, one thing led to another, and we eventually found our way to The Trevi Fountain.  Not quite The Spanish Steps I had in mind but hello, it's THE TREVI FOUNTAIN. Excited, I tossed my coin** into the fountain and made a wish: to find The Spanish Steps. After a 10 minute walk through quaint alleyways filled with restaurants and gelato shops, we eventually found The Spanish Steps. Was it worth it? Maybe. The steps were not the magical picturesque image, I have had in my mind since I was 8 but, it was definitely an incredible adventure and worth the 3 hours. ***

*When I was 8 years old, my mom gave me a poster of The Spanish Steps and ever since then I was determined to go to Rome and find them.

**They say if you toss a coin in The Trevi Fountain, you'll return to Rome.

***I took my other roommates to the Trevi Fountain the following evening for dinner and it took 30 minutes round trip. Looks like I did learn something after all.

Now, for The Vatican. That's a different post.

Ciao!

How will I live without...

1. The US dollar -I hate not knowing that the extremely large gold coin is 5 euros... {however, I will enjoy not paying sales tax}

2. Lifetime Movies -If there is one thing I NEVER get sick of, it's lifetime movies. I could watch these all day, everyday {let's hope there is an Italian equivalent}

3. Casa Linda- My absolute favorite mexican restaurant in Columbia--nothing like good food and margaritas

4. The Super Bowl- While I'm not a die hard sports fanatic, the Super Bowl is the culmination of tailgate season and football and that, I will miss, along with the commercials

5. Girl Scout Cookies -Tagalongs, Trefoils & Thin Mints. {Don't worry, my mom has already promised to freeze the Tagalongs for me, my favorite}

6. Dean and Deluca- One of my favorite places in Charlotte to get the best sandwiches and sweets when I come home

7. Pretty Little Lairs -How will I find out who "A" is??

8. Cupcakes- If I had a dollar for every time I  ate/bought/made a cupcake, I'd be a millionaire {Cupcake Bakery in Columbia is my favorite}

9. Peanut Butter - I guess you could call me a peanut butter snob. If it's not Jiff, it's not peanut butter.

10. Texting.

...and so much more {my room, my bed, my friends, my snuggie and of course, family}. However, I am almost more excited to come home after 4 months in Florence and indulge...

See ya 2 weeks from today Florence!