We finally landed in Rome around 10:11 AM
The airport was pretty crowded and very hot. We had to wait a little while to get our baggage because we had such a full flight. Once we all finished, we went out to the entrance and found Dr. Betty Webb and Mr. John Rose.
From there we had to take a train to the main train station; the ride was a little less than an hour. The outskirts of Rome were a lot different from tourist pictures or the normal everyday pictures you see when you think of Rome. There were lots of gardens in people’s backyards and a lot of graffiti everywhere. I didn’t even think it was Rome.
At the main train station (still being in Rome) was HUGE. We had to wait there for about 2 hours until our train that goes to Arezzo arrived. It was long hot and agonizing.
Once our train arrived, we all rushed with about 15 suitcases dragged behind us. The train was so refreshingly cool for only a little bit. Once we were settled, the ac was turned off and it was hot and humid as ever, but bearable. Most of us had fallen asleep even before the train was in motion. The ride took almost 2 hours.
After we had reached Arezzo, we then took a bus to the walls of Sansepolcro. The bus ride was wonderful. The first thing I seemed to notice was the ac that we had; it made us all very happy. There was gorgeous scenery on the whole ride there.
Once we arrived, we were all greeted ecstatically by Amanda and Nicole (came a few days earlier into London and Rome). They helped us all with our suitcases and their hyper enthusiasm.
The palazzo was breath taking! Everything was even more gorgeous than the ride here. Dr. Betty Webb soon gave us a tour of the palazzo. The accommodations were far too good for Meredith students. Everything was newly furnished and put together by some of our staffs.
I ended up choosing a room by the main street with my roommate, Jenna. It had five twin size beds, five night stands, and five wardrobes coordinated to a calming cream finish. Obviously with only two of us, there are three empty beds; but it all worked out for the better. Almost every room had only two students with about one, two or three empty beds. With Jenna’s and my stuff, we each get a bed to sleep in and a bed for whatever.
Our room can get very loud at night with all the ruckus from Main Street, but closing our windows is a no-no. We just love the business of the small rural town. Leaving the windows open gives our room a nice airy breeze instead of a stuffy mask of air; especially since today is rather hot.
Within thirty minutes of unpacking and calming down, Margherita (our chef) cooked us a great dinner with her assistant, Alessandra. Our first home cooked Italian meal! It was a wonderful three course dinner; pasta sired in green basil and garlic cream I think. We also had salad and a meal entrée that I cannot seem to think of but everything was delicious.
During our dinner, we were happily interrupted by a lovely couple singing opera from the bottom of the steps. The echo up the stairs just wanted to give us chills. They were amazing and we all then got a slap in the face that we were finally in Italy!