Rome: Spring 2013: Day 1

After finally getting WiFi access today (1/18) it's time to finally update the blog. We left for Tampa Monday and had a great last American dinner at Bahama Breeze before the flight.

Entering Tampa Airport

Checking our bags. Jazz's bags were over each by at least 2 kg's but they felt pity on us and didn't charge us

British Airways was great. We were served both dinner and breakfast (their chicken curry was surprisingly good). We had one of the funniest flight attendant's who at one point asked Jazz if we should be moved up to first class (because of our request for a meal after declining the first time). We got some sleep but not much. They did not turn the lights off until about 3 hours into the flight and that's when we both finally fell asleep. We landed in London Gatwick 30 minutes early and had time to change and brush our teeth. Both of us felt pretty rough and dreaded waiting for our flight to leave but the layover was only about an hour and a half.

Tickets- Took off from Tampa on time and arrived in London early.

Waiting in Tampa for our flight to leave.

We boarded the flight for Rome and were in a much smaller plane, we were served lunch which was surprising since it was only a 2 hour flight. By the time we landed in Rome both of us were exhausted and trying to make the shuttle which left 30 minutes after we arrived. Entering FCO Rome's airport we actually went through immigration very quickly but our bag's took 45 minutes to get to the claim area. Luckily there were 30 other students waiting on their bags and Domenico (our program leader) held the bus for everyone. It took 35 minutes to get into Rome in the Prati district where we stay. At that point we checked in with our group and had to wait over an hour for the 2 person (with bags) elevator to take up people to the fourth floor two at a time.

I was assigned a single bed room on the 3rd floor. The room all around is really nice, only complain is the scuff marks all over the walls but it doesn't really effect anything.

My Bed

Better view of room

My view of the courtyard

Clock tower outside my window

Elevator on left and courtyard

Jazz got assigned a double room with a girl that goes to St. Johns University. She is completely on the other end of the 4th floor and is actually located above the priest sect who actually own the whole complex.