Slow & Steady

Although Italian culture moves at a much slower pace than America, it has taken these first few weeks for me to finally feel as though I have caught up with it. A new language, a new city to find my bearings in, new modes of transportation, a new meal schedule, and a new way of learning. One might collectively call this adjustment culture shock, though I’d say it’s been more of a gradual transition. Finally I feel as though my feet are firmly planted, and hopefully this means my next journal entry won’t be delayed for another two and a half weeks as this one is!
The language I feel I know enough to get by around the city. Living in community with other American students means that I don’t necessarily need to become fluent in Italian, a task that would take far more than a semester to do anyway.
As for the layout of the city, I feel I have a good grasp for where the major landmarks are. Walking nearly everywhere is the Italian way, and has helped me to find my way around in no time.
The meal schedule has been an adjustment as well. A typical diet consists of a pastry and coffee for breakfast around 7am, lunch as the main meal of the day around 1pm, and then dinner around 8pm. If you go to a restaurant for dinner before this time, chances are it will be completely empty.
The final adjustment has been in the classroom. In the states your grade is measured based on several exams and assignments over the course of the semester. Here, you listen to the professor lecture and are assessed based on one 10 minute conversation with the professor at the end of the term. In the end it comes down to self motivation in studies so as not to fall behind over the course of the semester.
For length’s sake, I will end here. In my next entry, I’ll share a few of the things I’ve been able to do in these first weeks. I hope your Lenten Season has had a blessed beginning, and I pray it will continue up until the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.

Mission Accomplished

Yesterday evening we returned after a five day pilgrimage that took us on foot from Viterbo back into Rome, a distance of roughly 50 miles. The highlights of this trek were many, but I will just share with you a few.

Although it rained nearly every day, I found the countryside to be amazing. There's something to be said about actually climbing hills, crossing fields, and carrying your belongings on your back. It brings everything so much closer than say, tossing your bags in the trunk of your car, and passing all of these things by in the blink of an eye. The pilgrimage forces you to slow down and take in everything, a great lesson before the semester begins!

In the middle of this pilgrimage, I celebrated my birthday. It was unlike any other birthday I'd celebrated, as I was not in the States this year, but rather hiking through the Italian villages of Sutri, Monterosi, and Campagnano. The guys made the day special, as we went out for dinner that evening and for some gelato, an Italian equivalent to American Ice Cream, afterwards.

Last but not least, on the final full day of the pilgrimage, we were nearing our destination when we came up on a bit of an obstacle. The route led across a river via a bridge, however this bridge was completely deconstructed. This meant we had to ford the river. Off shoes and socks, up with the pant legs rolled above the knees, and in a line to lift all the packs to the other side. Then we each went across to the other side. Fortunately, nobody got swept away in the fast moving current. This was voted one of our favorite parts to the route!

Now, we have returned safe and sound to Rome, and have moved into Bernardi, the name of the residence hall where we will all live over the course of the semester. Orientation begins this week, and classes the following. Until my next entry, blessings and peace!

The Eagle Has Landed

Goodnight New York...Good Morning Rome! We've all arrived safe and accounted for here in the Eternal City.

As we boarded our flight in New York last night, many of us realized this would be our last minutes on American soil for several months. It was a beautiful goodbye, as the plane prepared for takeoff, dusk had set its shadow on the city and the millions of streetlights provided a picturesque glow as we lifted off over the Atlantic Ocean.

After a brief night's rest, many of us awoke to somewhat of an overcast sky, but a landscape far different than that we had recently departed. With the unusual amounts of rain they've had this winter, the countryside seemed to resemble Ireland moreso than Italy. After we passed customs and picked up our luggage, stepping outside resembled one of those spring mornings in Wisconsin or Minnesota, complete with the smell of fresh rain in early April.

From the airport, we headed to the North American College (NAC), where we'll be spending the night before leaving for our pilgrimmage in the morning. This is the residence of about 200 American seminarians who are completing their studies in Rome.

One final note, our group headed over to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the 12 O'Clock Angelus prayer today, led by Pope Benedict. The Angelus is a prayer recalling the Annunciation, where Jesus became flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit, thus making salvation possible for us by God. This important event in our Christian faith is remembered at 6, 12, and 6 each day by Catholics around the world who join together in this prayer.

As I mentioned, tomorrow morning we leave for our pilgrimmage, covering about 60 miles in 5 days. The route we will walk begins north in Viterbo, and ends back here in Rome next weekend. Until then, God's blessings to you and thank you for joining me in my journey!