Just Kidding
So…when I said before that our documentary was coming along, I completely lied.
We basically had to start from scratch. It was obviously a very stressful last few days in Rome. We had to re-write the script, go out filming again and edit everything in about 3-4 days.
Long story short though: we did it!!!
We re-wrote the script and it was awesome. The group that went out filming got great shots (props to Nana for filming literally the most amazing shot of the Brazilian Embassy). Thank goodness everyone on our trip is awesome because we were also able to borrow some b-roll of the Colosseum. We talk about it so much the I ran out of it when I was editing and I hate using the same shot twice in films, even if they are far away from each other.
I am glad I picked up Avid pretty fast although that error will haunt my dreams forever I think. After a few nights of no sleep, I finished editing pretty fast, learned a lot and I think our documentary turned out pretty awesome.
Borghese Gallery
Yesterday we went to the Borghese Gallery. Even though we had to get up SUPER early to get there, it was totally worth it. I am totally an early riser so I didn’t mind that much. Although everyone else seemed to mind how unaffected I was by lack of sleep…it is just the powers of positive thinking!
When visiting, one the statues that personally caught my eye was the statue of Apollo and Daphne by Bernini. Apollo was a ladies man who thought he could get any women he wanted. When Daphne did not want to succumb to Apollo, she fled and called out to her father. In order to save her, her father turned her into a tree. Apollo was so impressed by Daphne’s courageousness and the love between her and her father that he took leaves from her tree in order to make a crown. This is where laurel crowns come. Before visiting this museum, I had no idea whom Daphne was or the significance behind the laurel crown. At a time where women were not always respected, it also is very interesting that Apollo respected Daphne enough to always have a symbol of her; especially one that has held over to present day. As this is being depicted in the sculpture, the delicateness of the leaves still shows, even though it is made of solid marble. Daphne’s transition from nymph to tree looks elegant and the detail to which Bernini created the sculpture is astounding.
It made me really miss my family odd enough. The other statue by Bernini about the seasons I really liked as well. The detail on that was amazing. You could literally see the tension in the skin of the statue, it looked more like fabric than marble. So cool.
We also went bike riding!!! I didn’t have my camera and I was so upset! The view at some of the places was absolutely beautiful! Also, Adam and I were a pretty awesome riding team.
Jewish Ghetto
Jewish culture obviously gets over shadowed by Catholic culture in Rome. I have a slight connection to Judaism; my great grandfather was Jewish. My family converted to Catholicism eventually somewhere along the line. My father remains hazy about so I obviously do as well. Since the heritage lies on my father’s side and not my mother’s, I technically am not Jewish at all. I still really appreciate the culture and history though especially because a very large percentage of my friends are Jewish.
I went to a Seder dinner once and did not enjoy the food nor, as a vegetarian, did I find myself with many things to eat. The Jewish ghettos host a number of bakeries and restaurants with authentic Jewish cuisine that I was willing to give a second chance. For the first time in my life, I had a macaroon. Yes, anyone can have a macaroon anywhere but it personally meant something to me that I had one from an authentic bakery. It was so delicious!!! I love coconut and even though I have wanted french macaroons for a while, I think I will stick the traditional kind!
My grandmother makes the best falafels in the world; the one I had while visiting the ghettos came very close. Without knowledge of the existence of the area, I would not have been able to experience this. This site seems to be overshadowed even though it presents a rich culture that still thrives today. I think it might be one of my favorite places that I have visited in Rome so far. I will definitely find myself going back there to eat!!!
Catacombs
Last week we visited the catacombs of Priscilla. It was a trek in order to see them and it was very gloomy out as well; pretty fitting for the context I suppose.
The only catacombs I had ever heard of were the famous ones in France so I was excited to see these but pretty bummed that we couldn’t take any pictures.
I was under the impression that catacombs were just mass graves but there was a lot of interesting things that I learned will touring them. There was a lot of artwork in the catacombs which I did expect; really intricate Christian paintings and symbols throughout which depicted different stories. The coolest thing that I thought was there was the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.
It was so pretty at time I forgot that there were hundreds of dead bodies there at one time. Kind of disturbing, I completely believe in ghost and hunting. I bet that place gets so creepy at night! I am not sure if it was there for show or no, but I definitely saw a bone in one of the cubiculums which is a burial chamber. Pretty gross but still cool.
I didn’t get a post card so I have no photographic evidence of being there!!! We also got lost on the way home. It was a weird day.
Half Way Done!!!
I will post another more academic post soon. But in honor of being halfway done I wanted to post pictures of my favorite things so far!!!
After the first night. Man do we all look awkward.
My first Italian miscommunication which lead to ordering the whole table yummy drink at lunch one day. Oops!
Family dinners! We all look way less awkward now.
Karaoke at scholars- Spice Girls!
Me and Nana at my favorite place in Rome- The Trevi Fountain
Serento-literally the most beautiful place in the world! 
I just love the picture and the person who took- SYDNEY!
I hope I have more pictures and memories to come.
Early Morning Riser
I have always prided myself on being an early riser. So when it was suggested that my group film early in the morning in order to shoot sites without any people around I was totally up for it.
We left for the sights around 8 am and we headed to the roundabout near the Capitoline Museum. There was a perfect shot of the Colosseum from there with the early morning haze. I am no art person, but I thought it was beautiful if I do say so myself.
Next we went to the Trevi Fountain. There were actually a good number of people there for nine in the morning but not nearly as much as the mob seen that accumulates during the day. People shared the same idea as us it seemed because a couple was taking engagement photos in front of the fountain. ADORABLE!
We got some really awesome shots at the Trevi. Very clear ones that we would have never been able to achieve if there was a huge crowd of people. Even if we don’t event up using that b-roll in your film, it was a great experience.
Hannah, Sora and I got some awesome pictures! Check ‘em out!
Filming
What a good looking group!
After our very long day in Ostia a giant group of us got some food in us and rolled out for some afternoon filming. We had not been too successful filming in the EUR the prior day because our group sort of lacked a vision really. Wednesday pretty much went the same way though but we knew we just needed to go out and do something; to feel better about ourselves at least.
So we did. We filmed around the Capitoline Hill area for a good two hours I would say. It is always funny the looks that you get when you go out filming. People always stare, I am assuming because they want to know what it is for. We obviously look so important being 20-somethings with our huge cameras and (my) confused face.
I am lucky to have a good group and good people in it who are willing to put up with me and teach me how to do everything. The only thing I know how to do so far is edit, so I can’t wait to get my hands dirty.
Ostia
Per usual, I had no prior knowledge of the area before we took our very educational tour of the ruins in Ostia. I think the phrase that was said the most today was “grain is gold”. It seemed as if everything revolved around that one phrase. Like most of the other ideas Romans had, they meticulously thought out and planned around central concepts that were vital to there existence. I think food is a great thing to focus on.
The weighing and measuring system for grain was very detailed in order to prevent people from stealing. There were rules set up in order to keep individuals from smuggling as well. Apparently, grain can spontaneously combust, which the Romans learned and quickly attempted to prevent from happening again. Fun fact: giant pizza oven in the ruins. Awesome!
Emperors knew that if they fed the people they wouldn’t get angry. After three hours of touring Ostia, I feel like that was a smart concept to stand by.
Positive thing of the day: I had never been to Ostia or even known that ruins existed there. Even though I did not find it particularly interesting, yay for learning of it’s existence!
A presto!
Roman Forum
Flash backward to before the weekend and the group took a trip to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. I was definitely really excited for both and even more excited because it was a beautiful day outside to wander around and take pictures.
Like most of the the other ruins and artifacts in Rome, I did not know much about the history of either. I actually found the Forum a lot more interesting than I thought I would and the Colosseum a lot less. I had known that the Roman Forum was a giant meeting space for various things; business, politics, religion and commerce. I did not know however that it first began as a cemetery and sort of swampy area where water accumulated. Kudos to the people who decided to drain the area in 7th century B.C!
Since the Forum housed a large part of Roman political life, during the tour I also got to learn a lot about the politics of ancient Rome. Politics of all sort interest me, so I definitely annoyed Albert with a lot of questions during most of the tour. A lot of little things really interest me when it comes to other’s political systems because I think you can learn anything from something that is different than your own.
Though I figured the whole thing was very complex, because I did not know much before, I was still blown away by how complex it was. The Romans had a position for almost everything it seemed. They also thought everything out meticulously; like how they had two kings elected every year so that no one person could take too much control. Obviously that system did not hold over for too long, but in theory it seemed like they had a good idea going.
Another thing that I thought was neat was the fact that when Augustus, the first Emperor, took power he considered himself like everyone else. He was modest with his home and wanted to blend in with the people. Compared to the massive expansion of those who followed him it was unbelievable what a tiny area his home took up. Apparently, the Romans built things and made them so massive for the sole purpose of showing off. If that does not make you a prick, I do not know what does. It actual made me think a lot about the current political situation today. Funny how things can be related so easily.
Positive note of the day: I learned a lot. Like a lot, so much so that I could probably exceed the number of words available for this blog. Even better, I liked what I was learning. I thought it was all very interesting and it even made me think about how things are today in the United States. See, learning is fun!
A presto!
Side note: there were some pretty flowers for a little photo shoot mid-tour. Yay!
EUR
Before today I had actually never heard of EUR, which stands for Esposizione Universale Roma, or really knew what it symbolized. Mussolini was obviously a big fan of Fascism and planned to celebrate it during the 1942 world fair; however, the plans were halted because of WWII.
Even though traditional materials, shapes and architectural ideas were used to design EUR when I visited it today it seemed much different. Something about the way everything in general appeared seemed so odd compared to the rest of Rome. The monuments seemed kind of out of place with the rest of the environment nor were they as impressive as the other ones that we have already seen. I was little disappointed but I have to remind myself, who cares we are in Rome!
On a positive note, we were pretty proud of ourselves for getting to the EUR on our own! It took about thirty minutes of waiting in the blazing hot sun for a bus, a crowded bus ride and a crowded metro ride. But we made it! And we were greeted by a beautiful park which we sat in after we visited the sites.
As I am trying to make the most of my stay here, even though EUR was not my favorite, I feel like every entry must end with a positive note for the day! So I am happy that already we are learning the smallest details about Rome so fast which I think is a feat in itself.
A presto!
