The Camajalini's Do Italia

Das Is Good Ya?

2006-07-07T12:49:00.000+02:00

(submission by Ella Rosa)

To end the month-long adventure, the Camajalini's hit the streets of Roma last night. In grand Camajilini family-style we started out with a champagne toast, and then made our way to our favorite part of the city, Trastevere, for one last "family dinner." At dinner, we reminisced about our favorite times and places in Italy.

Dodging the rain, we ducked into Friends for a drink and listened to endless electronica. With no good music in sight, the next stop was the Drunken Ship. The Camajalinis decided that one of the biggest most crowded Piazzas in Rome was the best place to take goofy pictures of ourselves. My personal favorite is the "sloth eye" shot.

Determined to dance, we made our way to a little bar/club where we knew the music would be good. Although we were the only ones there for about a half an hour, that didn't stop us from dancing to the likes of Shakira, Black Eyed Peas, and some of our other favorites. Soon, an influx of Americans arrived and we no longer enjoyed our private dance room. The pictures say it best!

A toast to going out in style :)

Here's everyone doing their signature dance move!

(Matteo enjoyed himself lots!!)

Where is the Love?

2006-07-03T12:38:00.000+02:00

Oh don't be jealouso...Matteo and I were just chilling with the Black Eyed Peas at their FREE CONCERT in ROMA!

Yes - that is Will I Am featured on the Megatron behind us. Those crazy kids are super cool! So glad we got to "kick it!"

They entertained us with some random covers throughout the show, but I think my all time favorite was the Fergie cover of the G-n-R Classic, Sweet Child of Mine. Nothing brings the Gringos together like a rousing, air-guitar rendition of that chorus. (Come on...I know you can hear it playing in your head right now, can't you? "Sweet child! Sweet Chiild! Sweet ChiiiiiiIIIIiiiiiiiIIIIld of Miiiine! (swipe at the air guitar) YEAH!" It was an interesting juxtaposition against the Italian Futbol Chant for their World Cup Super Star Hero, Totti!

Where is the Love?
(Shout out to the Black Eyes Peas)

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'

Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Cause I think You're Craaaaazy!

2006-06-29T16:13:00.000+02:00

(shout out to Gnarls Barkley)

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind

There was something so pleasant about that phase.

Even your emotions had an echo

In so much space

And when you're out there

Without care,

Yeah, I was out of touch

But it wasn't because I didn't know enough

I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy

Probably

And I hope that you are having the time of your life

But think twice,

that's my only advice

Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you,

who do you think you are,

Ha ha ha bless your soul

You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy

I think you're crazy

Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking,
I want to be like them

Ever since I was little, ever since I

was little it looked like fun

And it's no coincidence I've come

And I can die when I'm done

Maybe I'm crazy

Maybe you're crazy

Maybe we're crazy

Probably

Ay Papi!

2006-06-28T17:14:00.000+02:00

Ella Rosa & Sophia stumbled out at the top of the morn to spend a little time with the Pope-meister today. He sends his regards...

Viva la Papa (Revisited)

2006-06-28T16:42:00.000+02:00

Republished with photos... Bella and Elmo communed with the Pope on Wednesday, June 21, 2006.

(submission by Bella)

i saw the pope this morning!! elmo and i went over to the basilica around 8:15 for the papal audience that starts at 10am. we saw people walking with red tickets in hand towards the seats up front and thought - if we just follow them maybe no one will stop us. so we kept walking through the gate and towards the seats. no one stopped us! i turned to elmo and asked "is this a sin?" needless to say, he didn't think so!

so we sat in the hot sun for 1 hour and 30 minutes. just in the hour or so that we sat there ... i think the temperature went up about 15-20 degrees. i think i started to roast! then we saw the pope being driven around in the pope mobile! we couldn't believe how close we were! it was kind of weird to be near the pope.

there were readings in about 5 different languages and then he spoke in italian -- we had no idea what he was saying! then he gave a blessing in english....he blesssed us and said that the blessing extended to our friends and family at home ... so consider yourself blessed by the POPE!

what an interesting start to my day in roma!

ciao!
"bella"

Our Hostile Hostel

2006-06-27T16:56:00.000+02:00

(submission by Matteo)

If you find yourself headed to Firenze in the future, you should be very excited! It's a beautiful city, and there are plenty of budget hotels and hostels for the thrifty traveler. One word of caution: avoid EuroStudentHome Hostel. It looked fantastic online, but when we arrived, the dirty punks running the place informed us that they were overbooked. Not to worry, they could offer us a private apartment with plenty of room and no roommates, just a few minutes away. We made the hike over and were surprised at what we found.

To begin with, the apartment reeked. We found it painful to breathe in the hot, unfiltered air. Sure, there were windows, but right outside the windows were dumpsters. As it was terribly late at night, we decided to just sleep in these awful conditions, but not for long. After we all dozed off, garbage trucks came by to unload the dumpsters. I'm pretty sure the glass-bottle dumpster was unloaded for 3 hours non-stop. In the morning, the groggy Camajalini family (sans Bella, who lived it up in a hotel with air conditioning and a cleaning service) returned to the original hostel to complain. We Americans got our way, and we were moved to a more acceptable location.

Again, neither air conditioning or even air were available this weekend in Firenze, but it was better than the apartment, so we were okay with what we got. There were a few minor setbacks: no locks on the doors, one bed that was broken in half, a random Argentinian backpacker in our room when we arrived. Sophia worked it all out, though. The hostile hostel employees built us a new bed and showed the Argentinian to another room. In the end, the situation could have been much worse. We could have been sleeping in a tent. In the fiery pits of Hades.

The Banquet

2006-06-27T16:45:00.000+02:00

Who knew that we would receive Awards for our performances in this year's Temple Roma Study Abroad?

Matteo was the most surprised of all of us. Having not prepared a speech he was just overcome with emotion! Winning feels good, doesn't it Matteo?

More Pix of Camajalini Fun at the Banquet.

....citronella candles for the wine and cheese - CHECK!

Firenze was en Fuego!

2006-06-27T15:58:00.000+02:00

(submission by Sophia)

My Italian is getting much better! I can say things like, "Es molto caldo fiore!" That means it is VERY VERY MUY MUY OH MY GOD, I WILL SURELY KEEL OVER AND DIE HOT outside!" Any Italian you say that too will nod there head in agreement and start fanning themselves. Why don't they just get central air conditioning here? Step into the civilized world why don't you?

We got a lot done in Firenze...just about all of the Camajalini's will have an entry on this one -- we had some crazy adventures! 3 different housing accomodations... hanging out in the Piazza della Repubblica... seeing Michelangelo's David... Fine dining on Bistecca Florintina... staying out until 6:00 in the morn'in... and the long ride home to name a few.

You will never believe it, I actually bought my leather from Omid, the same guy we bought from in 2003. I found the jacket I wanted - Bordeuax Motorcycle Jacket - from Pouty McPout, but they just weren't ready to do the deal. So Omid happily sold me his wears. A Bordeaux Business Attache and a Green Purse! They are noice! Ella Rosa and I were caught in the act of getting a little luck for our next trip to Firenze. This trip was good, but the next will be better!

Arrive derci Firenze!

viva la papa!

2006-06-21T12:07:00.000+02:00

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

2006-06-19T14:44:00.000+02:00

(submission by Bella)

...apologies to Sir William, but I couldn't resist...

Have I mentioned that I live in Rome! Rather - "We live in Roma!" As such, we get to see some of the most unbelievable sights the world has to offer. The Colisevm [sic] is just the tip of the iceberg. On any given day, perhaps on our walk to school or while taking a spin around town to find the best gelati, we could pass treasures of antiquity and modern day marvels, alike.

Matteo was astonished at how small the Trevi Fountain is (ps - it's not that small), but he was still impressed that the water flowing from it comes direct from the Roman aqueducts. I was pleasantly surprised that the Swiss Guard are as hot as ever and still rocking that Michelangelo get-up!

No matter who you are or where you go, though, you are likely to encounter 3 things: The Bubble Man selling his bubble blowing electro-musical gun, a "no-stop" BAR that sells caffe [sic] at any hour of the day or night, and amazing Romans on Vespas (or some sport alternative) weaving amid the cobble-stone roads and tourists, while throttling for the best "poll position" against other motorists and Vespa challengers.

I must say, the latter is a fantastical sight. They do all of this moto-maneuvering, while talking on cell phones that are wedged between their helmets and their ears (...i guess the advent of handfree wireless hasn't made it across the water yet...) and or carrying the most unbelievable things. I've seen large shopping bags, soccer balls held in place with knees...and my all-time, jaw-dropping favorite... a large Golden Retriever-Collie mix. That dog was traveling in style! The only thing missing was a vanity helmet for the little "poochisimo."

Viva la Roma!

A Toast - To Building Friendships from Scratch!

2006-06-14T14:32:00.000+02:00

(submission by Sophia)

That was Matteo's toast to start off the night's culinary feast prepared by Elmo and Matteo. The story is to follow, but here is a little photo-journalism to whet the palette.

Cheers.

Last Night's Futbol Adventure (USA v. Czech Republic)

2006-06-13T09:05:00.000+02:00

(submission by Bella)

So with the US World Cup soccer game at 6:00 and the Italy soccer game at 9:30 my roommate Sophia and I thought we would head out to watch the games. We got a little late start though and left our apartment at 7ish. We hopped on the Metro and headed to what we thought was the right stop to meet everyone at a pub called The Scholar to watch the end of the US game with other people from our class. On the way over we realized that "we" (Sophia) forgot both the directions we had written down and a map to navigate around town. When we got off at the stop we also realized that we were not in the nicest part of Roma, but we decided that we were up for the adventure!

Walking around aimlessly for a minute we looked up and saw our professor walking towards us (very random since we were on the other side of town). We couldn't believe he found us! He too could not find what he was looking for and did not have a map either but he was about to give up and take the Metro home. We were not giving up! We found a hotel (when lost in Rome, always go ask in a hotel, they usually speak the most English) and asked for a map and how to get to The Scholar (we knew the street name and general area it was in). Of course we were told that it was all the way on the other side of town!

It would be too late to catch any of the US game so we thought we would head to the University of Rome where they were to have a huge maxiscreen to watch the Italy game. We could take the Metro or walk -- we figured probably about a 45 minute walk. It was a beautiful night - not too hot but not chilly either - and with a map in hand we started our walk. We were doing great and finding all the right streets and walked for probably about an hour until we walked right off of the map. We knew the name of the Piazza we wanted but could not seem to find it and although we thought the area around the University would be full of "young" people there seemed to be no one around! (...and by "no one around" I mean - GHOST TOWN!)

At this point it was approximately 9:30, AKA game time, and we were still walking! Funny thing is, the Metros stop running in Roma at 9:30 - so we could not hop on the train to take us home and we weren't sure what bus number would take us home either. (Obviously we went out not being prepared to return home - lesson for the future!) We asked some men selling flowers on the street how to find the Piazza and apparently we had passed the street (funny, we never saw that street!) Luckily, Sophia remembered that the #19 trolley somehow stops around our area and we saw the #19 trolley going by - we caught it just in time and hopped on - not sure how far it would take us, if we were going in the right direction or even when to get off!

A man on the trolley realized that we weren't sure where to get off and after watching us try to figure it out for about 10 minutes he finally asked us in English where we needed to go. We were only a few stops away! (Whew!) We got off the trolley and with aching feet and backs we continued the 15 minute walk back to our apartment. Trying to find the bright spot of our adventure (having not seen one of the games, not finding our destination and now being tired) we saw the sign..."Gelaterria"...that would be our reward! So we stopped and gave into the craving ... everything seemed much better then! We got back to the apartment but the rest of the fam had already gone to a neighborhood bar (much more convenient) so we left to meet them. As soon as we walked out of the apartment, we heard people screaming -- they were celebrating Italy's second goal of the night. We weren't even lucky enough to catch a "GOOOOoooooAAAAaaaaaLLLLllll!

Well, I guess one way to look at it is, at least we got to see parts of Roma that we would not have otherwise seen! Unfortunately, we do not have any pictures to commemorate this adventure accept this one from the local saloon - Elliot's....

La Isola di Ventotene

2006-06-12T11:43:00.000+02:00

...I'm trying to find the motivation to study after an amazing weekend trip.

After a school field trip to the 2000-year-old ruins of Pompeii on Friday, my friends and I broke away from the crowd and took a 2-hour ferry ride to an island called Ventotene, 2 hours north of Capri in the Mediterranean. The island is tiny (not even named on many maps of Italy), and home to only 500 people during most of the year, but on any given weekend in summer, we were told, upwards of 10,000 people may be enjoying the sun and sand on the island's rocky shores. Unlike many of the places we Americans visit, little-known Ventotene is not an island for American tourists, but rather for vacationing Italians. I enjoyed for once being in a genuine setting with no McDonald's or internet cafes catering to tourists, but the downside was that barely anyone on the island spoke English. Needless to say, we 5 Americans used a lot of pointing and hand gestures to get around.

At one restaurant, a delightful Italian couple seated beside us helped us order (but Liam still ended up getting a plate of squid that he did not intend to order). Lucky for this recent vegetarian, I am normally left with only one or two menu options, and nothing with eyes ever comes out of the kitchen to greet me. The next night at different restaurant where no one spoke English, the waiter asked if anyone spoke Spanish, and I became the translator for the evening, which was quite fun.

We rented an inexpensive but beautiful villa situated on the highest part of the island, so that we could see the ocean on either side of the house. The weather was perfect on Saturday, so Liam, Carey, Nicole, and I rented a tiny boat to ride around the island. I was proud to be named the official captain, which my crew later regretted. I almost crashed into 3 other boats trying to get out of the port, and the man who owned the boat had to heroically jump onto our boat and teach me to steer correctly.

After that, the day was full of adventures. Both Carey and Nicole got seasick, so Liam and I dropped them off on a large rock on the coast, and we kept cruising. At one point, Liam had to dive about 10 feet down to manually dislodge our anchor from underneath a rock so that we could get back to the island. I would have done it, but the water was so cold! :-) What a day! The night was full of dancing by the ocean, as all the townsfolk (young and very old alike) and the vacationers gathered at a huge party, which was probably comparable only to a square dance in Georgia.

Sunday it rained, and the 5 of us were very lethargic until we caught the ferry home. As the last ferry of the weekend pulled away from the island, countless townspeople stood on the dock and waved good-bye. I wondered what they would do all week until the vacationers returned on Friday.

Now back to work...

Love,

Matteo

Tearing it up in Ventotene

2006-06-12T11:41:00.000+02:00

Elmo, Matteo and Cousin Antonio de Verde tear it up on the dance floor.
Sophia and Angie at the bar in Ventotene.

Bella and Mon in Ventotene.

Italian lady tearing it up with V, one of the undergrads, at the "Tequila Boom Boom Party" on the Ventotene pier.

Various Ventotene Frivolities

2006-06-11T17:06:00.000+02:00

(submission by Sophia)

On Saturday, in addition to taking out our own sea vessel, touring around the island and discovering the Roman ruins, I got to do my first scuba dive. It was great! After all of the hulla-balloo I ended up being the only grad student. It was fun to hang out with the undergrads and little man - Gregory. (That kid was running this "isola" between the natives and the pesky American college tourists. )
I am glad I went snorkling before I went scubaing. It took a little time to get used to seeing and breathing underwater. Getting over that hurdled, first, helped. Some of the kids freaked out because of the pressure of the scuba gear and not being comfortable with the breathing. We were supposed to hold Valentina's hand as she took us down 15 meters, but I soon broke away and started doing my own scuba touring. I did so well that she lost track of me and had to pull a "Finding Nemo" expedition. I'm such a maverick!

The Family Camajalini in Pompeii

2006-06-11T15:45:00.000+02:00

We look so Pompeiian!

Random European tourist in Pompeii

2006-06-11T15:40:00.000+02:00

...you should have seen this kid from the posterior...WOW!

The Glory and Splendor of Pompeii

2006-06-11T15:34:00.000+02:00

This place is amazing! Pompeii - it's no Appian Way, but it is magical nonetheless. Seriously, this place is unbelieveable. Mt. Vesuvius is just there off in the distance, rising like an Empress above Pompeii (apologies to Toto.)

How did they know how to do all of this stuff? (Double click on the photo to see it in greater detail.)

The fresca that I am standing in front of was once an interior wall of someone's house or interior courtyard. Doesn't it harken back to Botticelli's, Primavera?

This guy must have been one who got trapped under all of the volcanic ash of the Mount Vesuvius eruption. Of this ancient city of 10,000, only 1,000 met their demise in this way.

I felt the spirit of Mr. Rodney Merritt (Page High Latin teacher) walking with me through the streets of Pompeii. Mr. Merritt and all of his Roman heros, just showing us the way -- WOW!

Ubi Ibi!

Sophia

Food Folks and Fun

2006-06-10T15:54:00.000+02:00

Matteo, Sophia and Bella enjoy a little local flavor at a local Mama e Padre Vino Bar! us at Franco's
Delicioso - dessert at Franco's Portuguese Formaggio alla Cioccolata. It was unbelieveable.

Our First Family Dinner

2006-06-06T11:54:00.000+02:00

Last night the Camajalini's invited Mimi, Andreas, Khoa & Zack F. over for dinner. (1st c. - Fromage, Mozzarella & Crackers; 2nd c. - Insalata Mixta tossed in Ella Rosa Original Balsalmic Vinegrette; 3rd c. Roasted Chicken and potatotes (prepared lovingly by Andreas and Mimi) with polenta and balsalmic roasted vegetables and Todi bread in a with a lovely garlic/olive oil dipping plate; 4th c. - Red wine soaked peaches (a Pedicino family recipe).) It was amazing! Everyone had a great time and the Camajalini's took little doggie, Biscotti out for a walk at St. Peter's after.

Viva la Roma!!!

Sophia, Bella & Ella-Rosa Overlooking the Spanish Steps

2006-06-05T16:18:00.000+02:00

The Family Camajalini in Todi

2006-06-05T15:10:00.000+02:00

Todi and a Sensational Feast

2006-06-05T14:52:00.000+02:00

Hey, it's Sophia here. Just checking in with my first entry...Our fabulous Food Feast in Todi!

We went to the medieval town of Todi in the hills of Umbria. (It's so nice to be in a place where one can actually see the rolling hills on the horizon, unobstructed by smog, billboards or other industrial distractions.) There was a food and wine fair in the central square. (Lucky us!) Of course I sampled everything and got a little to bring back... 2 white wines, a little wine that Joyce and Edmund will enjoy, Ostrich (Strazzo) Salami and lots of spreads and pestos. Mmmm.

Then they took us over to another side of the village and fed us like royalty. We had a 9 course dinner that included Fromage, Prociutto, Brick Oven pizza, Goat, Lamb and Pollo -- but the best part, I think, was the tiramisu and biscotti dipped in a peachy dessert wine. What a great way to kick off the tour!

Needless to say - a lot of us felt compelled to workout after. A jog down to the Vatican and St. Peter's square was the perfect balance for the day of feasting. I love this place!

The Classic "Come to Our Program" Multicultural Money Shot

2006-06-05T05:45:00.000+02:00

There were such grand vistas in Todi that Ella Rosa, Sophia, Cousin Antonio and friend of the fam, Ally, take a moment for a photo op.