May 27

I woke up today a little before noon. To say I was tired would be an understatement. I had yogurt and espresso for breakfast. The yogurt here is so much better than yogurt at home. My family made a huge lunch. And when I say huge, I mean huge. I had a normal sized portion of pasta and then they served me 2 pieces of beef with prosciutto on top. Then came breaded fish with zucchini and carrots. After all of that, they served fruit. I thought they had finally run out of dishes. But I was wrong. They, then, served this pie like dessert with limoncello, wine and espresso. I was full beyond belief. I am not going to get fat because Italy has delicious food. I am going to get fat from fear of offending my family. I felt like I couldn't say no! 

We finished lunch around 4:30. After, my host dad took me on a motorbike to meet the group. I loved it. I am sure everyone could tell I was a tourist because I was on the back of that bike smiling and looking around. I am pretty sure I had my mouth open in awe the whole time. I didn't realize I was going to have to take the bus back home. 

Antonella, my teacher, showed us the Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. It was so strange seeing them in real life. She also showed us the school. I have a feeling I will have trouble finding that place as well. :) 

The most interesting part of the day was when I had to find my way home by myself. At first I went to the wrong side of the Piazza Venezia to get on the bus. When I finally got to the right bus stop, the bus stopped on the opposite side of the street. (I later found out that the stop I get off at going to school is the last stop on the route.) After I had been on the bus for about an hour, I asked the bus driver where I was supposed to get off (in italian!). Of course, I had missed it. Luckily, he was very friendly and promised to show me which stop to get off at. I was freaked out because before we turned around he stopped at "the last stop on the route" and took a break. Only I couldn't understand him. I thought he was offering to take me in his car or something. I was like No! No! No! But I soon figured out he was just wanted to smoke a cigarette. 

Once I finally got off the bus. I realized this was not the stop my host dad had told me. I was trying really hard not to freak out. And if you know me, you know that was not an easy task. It was well past 9:30 at this point. Fortunately, I saw a woman walking her dog and asked her to help me. She walked me most of the way there. Her name was Georgiana. 

Trying to explain to my family what happened wasn't easy. But I think they understood that I had trouble and that I am terrible with directions. I better learn how not to be terrible soon or I am going to be in trouble lol. But Rome is a great city to get lost in I suppose. Tomorrow, I will buy a cellphone so I won't be too worried from now on.