Tweed Arrival, etc.

3.24.09

Tuesday, time for Alan Ceen and Studio. All I can recall from today is that I ducked in a little church at the top of Navona.

3.25.09

Romolo walk day. Today he took us to the top of the Quirinal hill, an area of Rome I don’t often go. We walked through a public gallery and then to where the Italian president resides. Then it was off to the two Baroque masterpiece churches by Bernini and Borromini, the two Baroque master architects. The churches were called San Carlo al Quattro Fontane and San Andrea al Quirinale. Both shaped like ovals, I have to put San Carlo at the top of my list of favorite churches in Rome.

Borromini, who came from humble origins, and has a tragic story arc, designed San Carlo. I consider him the better architect, and Bernini the better sculptor. Sidenote aside, they were both beautiful. Romolo also mentioned the possibility to work in Rome with him for the summer. I’d jump on the opportunity, but I imagine that I’d like to spend a little time with my family and friends who I haven’t seen in four months!

I would say a frustrating Italian class followed, but I skipped to get gelato with Susie and work on drawings for a project. It was a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. Then I bought and drank a bottle of wine while chatting with friends over dinner.

3.26.09

What an odd hodgepodge of a day today was. The morning started with an Alan Ceen walk that dragged on forever. Called the Via Papale (the papal procession route the pope’s once took after being coronated), it took place in largely familiar territory for us. We did learn a few new interesting facts, though we moved terribly slowly. The highlight, by far, was when Susie left the walk for five minutes to buy some boots she had had her eye on, and then rejoined the group. We had moved hardly a block in that time, and she finally had the boots she’d be craving.

We finished our walk some three hours after we started before heading to studio. Then came the very interesting part of the day, the arrival of the Tweeds (Susie’s parents). I had only ever met the mother, and now was my chance to meet Papa Tweed. I was a little anxious, but I think things went over well.

The Tweeds took us to Buffetto’s, the second time I’d been there in a week! It was just as good the second time, and I was delightfully full. They also took us out for gelato to a shop with over 500 flavors! I was difficult to decide and I believe I got a licorice flavor by accident. Then, we decided to walk around for a bit before settling in for a small concert in a nearby church.

About halfway through the concert I left because I few of my friends had called earlier and said they were hanging out. The Tweeds didn’t mind much, and I left to hang out and have a fun night with our friends from Trastevere (a different region in Rome where other kids from our class live).