Oggi a Roma...

Today has been an interesting day, and it's only 3!

So this morning I went to the Italian Senate for my politics class. I was the only one who showed up. Haha. But the Palazzo Madama is amazing, so pretty. The Senate is introducing a lot of modern art into the building, which I don't think goes with the building at all. And I don't like modern art. But Italia is modernizing. Haha. I got to see the chamber where the Senate meets. It's pretty awesome. and I was allowed to take a picture. sweet. You aren't actually allowed to take pictures, but the guide let me take one "quickly". I learned today that the Senators only work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Of course they only work 3 days a week. Haha. I really enjoyed my visit.

So then I went shopping.  Actually, I really went to see Francesco.  Haha.  I wasn't informed that today everyone would be on strike.   It makes sense now that there wasn't a lot of traffic and it was pretty quiet.  So I was walking towards Via del Corso from school.  And then I saw a row of polizia blocking the path to via del corso.  And I was like, "hmm.  I wonder what is going on.  Maybe I can walk through them."  So I did.  I remember them looking at me funny, but they didn't say anything.  And then I got to the Carabinieri.  And I start to try to walk around them, and one stopped me and started saying "no, no."  So I looked at him and said "perche' no?" [why not] at this point he had turned to help some other people.  But when he looked back at me I asked "che successo?"  [what happened]  he looked at me and said, "una manifestazione" [a strike].  And I looked at him and said a very long, drawn out "oh".  he laughed at me.  and then he asked me where i wanted to go, and I told him "un negozio" [a store].  so he laughed at me and said something about buying stuff.  i don't remember exactly what he said.  but it was funny.  so he decided i was ok and really just a dumbass for walking through them instead of around and told me "vai!  vai!" [go].  pretty sweet.  he wasn't letting anyone else go.  haha.  and i told our housing director about this, and she was surprised b/c normally the carabinieri are sticklers about that stuff.  it was fun.

So then I finally got to see Francesco (aka jeans store guy)!  He got so excited when I walked in.  It was cute.  Then we started talking about random stuff.  He thinks that Mount Rushmore is in Washington, DC and I told him it wasn't.  And then he asked me about Italian guys and told me that he is not sketchy like most of them.  It was a really funny conversation.  He's too cute!  I had fun going to visit him.    He's really funny.

And then I went and ate lunch w/ Rachel.  And went to Checco.  And cheese guy, who has got to the nicest guy ever.  I can't wait to eat my cheese and olives! 

• It's been a good day thus far.  I hope it continues.