It has been an incredible and exciting week!

 I arrived in the Rome airport where I spent several hours meeting other people arriving for the Tour of Italy program and the Semester in Tuscania progam, as we all waited for the bus to get us all.  After settling into our apartments we all met at school for our welcome dinner.  It was really fun to get to know other students and it was a wonderful evening.  Over the next few days we had Orientation, applied for our Permit of Stay, had a tour of Tuscania, and another group dinner to welcome those who had flight issues and arrived late the first night.  

I really enjoy my roommates and the other students on the program.  It is so intriguing to meet people from all different places and backgrounds.  Hearing about other peoples experiences is not only interesting but informative of who they are and the places they come from.

One night I went to my friends apartment and we had a group dinner with a group of people which was really fun.  We ate, talked, and spent time together.  It was really nice to get to know people better.

Yesterday some of the locals took us just a little ways out of town and took us down this (fairly steep) hillside.  At the bottom was very pretty stream with rocks.  From there we could see some ancient Etruscan tombs.  The Italians that took us explained about the tombs and all of the artifacts generally buried with the Etruscans during the time.  We heard several tales of the area as well as heard about native plants and animals.  On the way back they took us by to meet a horse (which made me very happy).  Then we made the long trek back on foot.  It was a bit of a hike, but we were in good company and beautiful countryside, so it was very fun and entertaining. 

I started class today.  Everything went very well and I think I will enjoy the classes.  In Greeks Etruscans and Romans we started learning about the Greeks and some general geography.  In Italian (I am in Elementary 1) we talked about what we ate for lunch, learned the alphabet and sounds that letters make when put together, as well as learning the verbs to be and to have.  I think that it will come fairly quickly having Italian everyday and being immersed in the culture where we can directly apply it.   

My street in Tuscania (My door is on the right)

Looking out over the town 

The river from our hiking adventure