Rome: 1, 2, 3, GO! Many

If there’s something that needs to be said, it is that jet lag is real! Day 1 consisted of trying to stay awake through the day (which my mind and body still thinks is the night in Los Angeles) without falling asleep. This included the nausea that comes with an all nighter, but no great feeling of accomplishment that you just completed your final review (for those of you familiar with the plight of the pre-review final stretch). But there is always a great consolation, I’m quickly learning, remembering that I am in Rome.

In Italy.

In Europe.

It blows my mind. But to take care of the fatigue, there is a nifty little beverage called espresso, not to be confused with eXpresso, which I learned a few months ago doesn’t exist because the Starbucks barista would flinch every time I would order it, But I digress, although tasting espresso, not just drinking it for its caffeine, has made me realize that when I go back to the States, coffee will never be the same. Coffee (espresso) here tastes as if the Roman gods themselves harvest and manufacture the beans to then gift the people of Rome with a small, yet abundantly concentrated, dose of heaven.

So I’m not opposed whatsoever to the drinking of the heavenly syrup and one main reason is that it gives you enough energy to walk through the cavern-like streets of Rome and see all the monuments there is to see. But there’s always a catch, and Rome knowing that people who drink espresso will need water, placed fountains of natural water all over the city that is constantly flowing. (Realizing that some people may think that the fountains were actually installed to hydrate folks who drink too much espresso, I must say this: It is absolutely true.) The water is perfectly safe to drink and preserves the old style of living which used aqueducts to deliver water to the people of Rome.

The first couple of days here have been Orientation style and have been full of adventures and culture shock (for lack of a better phrase). Our professor, Giovanna Galfione-Cox, is simply one of the best. I am not just saying that because she had us over her apartment for gelato, but because she treats us all as if we were family, with love and understanding. I’m excited to see what else is in store.

Our professor had us all over to her rooftop apartment that looked over Rome

Many people refill their water bottles, wash their hands and face, or splash water on themselves to cool down at many of these fountains all over Rome.