Dish #37 - OldMFrigginGoodness.

The Dish: This is ridiculous. As we were standing in front of the Imperial Forum of Augustus Caesar today, I received some dreadful news. It was news that I did not expect. I was shocked. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see Pui, trying to grasp a strand of my hair. "You have a grey hair, Shirley." Then she proved it to me, holding up the strand of monochromatic hair as it reflected in the bright Roman sun. Seriously? I almost cried in public today.

Dish #36 - South Trip, Villas and Others!

The Dish: Last week, from Sept 24-28, our class went on our South Trip. Even though the trip was academic, it felt like a vacation. We stayed at Hotel Poseidonia Mare, at which our school had been staying every year for the past 23 years. On our last night there, the hotel owners surprised us with a giant cake decorated with a Canadian flag and we sang 'O Canada'. I know this sounds kind of corny but it was all very sweet. We visited Cuma, Baia, the island of Capri, Paestum and Sperlonga. Capri was gorgeous and we went swimming off the jagged cliffs. The roads were long and windy, very pedestrian. We also spotted the Casa Malaparte from afar. However, Sperlonga was the breathtaker of the trip. The entire town felt surreal and mysterious, in a good way. From the Grotto of Tiberius to the long sandy beaches and warm, clear waters to the white washed walls of neat little apartments butting up next to each other on a hill, I felt like I was walking through a fairytale land.

This past Saturday, we visited Tivoli and two villas: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa. The first was pretty much the ancient Disneyland mixed with the cheesy fountain decorations that reminded one of Las Vegas. The latter was substantial piles of ruins (which my class was pretty sick of already after the South Trip).

Yesterday, we completed the infamous "Walk" from rural campagna - Cinecitta - to the city centre of Rome - Stazione Termini. We walked about 7km but it took us 8 hours to do it because the roads were windy, uneven and half of the time we were walking in cropless fields. We were so exhausted and sore by the end of the walk. All I wanted was food and to sit in a chair...forever...and ever.

Dish #35 - Extension of the Vertical

The Dish: Experiencing Rome in 'portrait' orientation.

Dish #34 - Scenes from Rome.

The Dish: Photos taken at various locations.
1) From the top floor of the Trajans Market
2) A beautiful exterior arch and fellow students at the Trajans Market
3) Illegal handbags sold at a piazza
4) Trekking uphill to the Aurelian Wall
5) Under a canopy during lunch at Campo di Fiori

Dish #33 - Materials and Textures

The Dish: I have been impressed with the materials and textures that I see in buildings, grounds, ruins and museums. They layer and juxtapose each other like it is the most natural thing in the world, as if it would be ridiculous to tear down an old building in Rome just to construct a new one. The colours and reliefs are spectacular in the way that each part tells a story, a history, an emotion or a memory.

Dish #32 - Catching up!

The Dish: Wow, I have really fallen behind on posts. It's been over a month now. So I am in Rome! Except for the serious lack in Asian food stores - I am in withdrawal of good Chinese cuisine - it has been a surreal experience thus far. I visited Amsterdam this past weekend and that city has a totally different vibe from Roma (Trastevere in particular - it is the area where our school is located) and Amsterdamians seem to have very different perspective on life in comparison to the Romans. They are much more active whereas the Romans are relaxed and takes things as they come and go, one at a time. They even eat each part of the meal one at a time - the meat will never be served with the pasta - over the span of two to three hours. They take naps and breaks from 1pm to 4pm. And no one seems to ever be in a rush except for the cyclists on mopeds and taxi drivers. The subsequent posts are categorized photos of Rome to share this amazing experience of mine.