Archive for August, 2011

30
Aug

Orientation

By Wajeha 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Ciao! As my first blog post I thought I’d start with what most people do when they arrive in a new place – they try to orient themselves. So, on the 19th of August, once everyone had settled in and those who hadn’t participated in the two- week intensive Italian class had finally arrived, we set out for a walking and bus tour of Rome, with Professor Jeffrey Blanchard, Mark Morris and Mark’s wonderful daughter Madelyn (the official class mascot) in tow. It involved a lot of walking (the hot August sun notwithstanding) and a few hours of respite in the air conditioned comfort of a bus where Jeffrey used a microphone to describe the sights of Rome and their historical value as well as interesting anecdotal associations. In the Jewish Ghetto we went into palazzos that seemed unremarkable from the outside only to discover that there were beautiful courtyards on the inside.  From there we walked to the Campidoglio, the Colosseum and the Caelian hill, and climbed aboard our bus to the Appian Way and the Catacombs of San Callisto.

DSC_0062

The walk in the beautiful gardens above the Catacombs led us to a memorial dedicated to the people murdered in a mass execution carried out by German troops during the Second World War. The Fosse Ardeatine, as it is called, is a moving monument that was built by a group of famous architects of the day. There are over 300 tombs aligned under a heavy roof that lets in a mere shaft of light at the base while the visitor walks into it through caves formed from the explosion that was set off to cover up the tragedy. After this moving monument, we walked out to a picnic lunch along the Appian Way and from there to what we found out was the the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (the pope)  – San Giovanni in Laterano.

Aren’t you surprised it isn’t St. Peter’s in the Vatican? So were we…Apparently the Vatican is the papal residence and not the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop. Adorned with a series of statues along its nave with renovations made by Borromini during the 17th century, the church was truly an amazing experience. We finished out the day by driving to Piazza del Popolo and lastly, a walk along the Pincio Hill, ending at the top of Spanish Steps for an arresting view of Rome. This is the city we have been in for more than three weeks now and yet as every day goes by we realize we have merely scraped the surface. There is still more “orienting” to be done and I have a feeling that is what the entire semester will be about. Hopefully by the end of it that literally wider perspective of Rome at the top of the Spanish Steps will have been transformed into a metaphorical one.

01
Aug

Where to hang out in Rome? 2/5: Nightlife

By jk749 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Hi!

Here are friendly links to previous blog posts:

#1 Welcome to Cornell in Rome Fall 2011

#2 Restaurants in Rome (Italian cuisine)

#3 Bars and Gelaterie

#4 Bakeries in Rome (the good ones)

#5 Gluten Free Restaurants

#6 International Restaurants

#7 Where to hang out in Rome? Part 1/5: Lungo il Tevere

————————————

#8

Where to hang out in Rome? Part 2/5:

Nightlife

Now, let’s talk about clubs and bars in Rome…We can’t forget those!

Here is a general map of Roman entertainment scene; it is helpful to know the general areas where different types of fun sources are located.

Rome Zones. (Source: Google)

Rome Zones. (Source: Google)

Partying area:

Campo de’Fiori / Piazza Navona

Trastevere

Testaccio

Pyramide

Little notes on raging in Rome:

1. Congratulations, you all can drink. Don’t even have to carry your IDs no mo.

2. Italians usually do not get overly drunk; hence they have a low tolerance for all the crazy things you might do with excessive alcohol in your blood.

3. Getting some ‘girly‘ drinks? Be careful, girly drinks in Italy do not necessarily mean ‘lower alcohol content’. You are supposed to drink the entire thing enjoying your three-hour-long dinner!

4. FYI, Italians don’t really dance at clubs…

5. Most of the clubs start heating up around 12am.

6. Enjoy your time there! The party usually goes till the morning comes.

7. Another big clubbing area is around the Metro station Piramide, but I personally have never been to that area for such occasions. Explore!

8. Some nicer, more contemporary, and high-ended clubs only accept people on the list… Meaning internet reservation. Go check on some hip events at http://www.romapiu.it; the website has all the information you need. And click on Mettiti in Lista (Add yourself on the list)!

- clubs you can enter this way: La Maison (Via Assisi 37. http://www.lamaisonroma.it), Playhouse, Central Park, etc.

Campo de’Fiori

The closest to most of the Cornell apartments, and also one of the popular tourist destinations. Turns into a huge market every morning. Surrounded by many bars and restaurants. You will be able to see many American students and many other English-speaking people as well.

Attention:

- All the bars close at 2am by law. No kidding, you will see some cops checking around.

- Sloppy Sam’s Drunken Ship, the most famous bar of Campo to the English-speaking population in Rome, used to be the capital of American students at night, but this famous bar recently has been closed.

party

Testaccio

The club zone of Rome. It used to be a working class neighborhood with a big slaughterhouse, but now it hosts all the fun nightlife in Rome. The only sector of Rome where food is available on the way home after clubbing at night!

- Many of these places offer free entry for ladies before certain hours; check on the websitse.

- Cabs are easy to catch, but it is also walking distance from Cornell apartments.

1. AKAB

http://www.akabcave.com

Via di Monte Testaccio, 69

10pm-4am Wed-Sat, No credit cards

The most famous disco. Two floors inside filled with many young crowds all the time. Hip hop, random Italian and American pop, electronica

2. Coyote

http://www.coyotebar.it

Via di Monte Testaccio, 48

Dance your night away from 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Open every day.

3. Eto

Two floors – dance floor on the first floor and a bar and a lounge on the second floor. Often rented out to private parties, or in collaboration with universities.

Via Galvani, 44

Closed Monday, Open 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

4. Alpheus

http://www.alpheus.it

Another big club that plays various types of music. Open day and night.

via del Commercio, 36

Clubs in other areas

5. Circolo degli Artisti

http://www.circoloartisti.it

By taxi: about 11 euros, 15-min ride

By bus: 1 euro, 1 hour + alpha

Via Casilina Vecchia, 42 (06 7030 5684)

Open 9pm-3am Tue-Sun.  Three-month membership card. No credit cards.

An awesome bar & live concert hall where the young (probably hipstery) Romans hang out.  Big open space with large tables where you can chill listening to music. Good beer. Fridays are ‘black’ and rock; Saturdays are more disco from the 70′s to the 90′s. Students of American universities held a show during the Spring 2011 semester (check out my earlier post here) Wish I had known about this place earlier.

6. Scholars

Via Del Plebiscito, 101

Every day from aperitivo till late night

This is not a club…. Just a bar. English speaking Irish bar with Karaoke and many American students.

http://scholarsloungerome.com/

7. Gilda

http://www.midra.it

Via Mario de’ Fiori, 97 Walkable distance.

Open Sept-June 11pm-4am Tue-Sun.  Credit card yes.

Here’s a quote I found from an online review:

“Don’t even think about it unless you are (1) an aging film star, (2) a politician of the deeply slimy variety or (3) very rich/drunk/stupid. All silicone and no soul, Gilda is a dame no one should touch even with a pair of sterilized tongs.”

Yes, it is kind of true, I mean it surprised me how many ‘old’ people were hanging out on the floor. The entrance fee is quite irregular (sometimes ladies get in for free ans sometimes they don’t). Still, I remember having a good time- There were some of those ‘good looking (young) Italian men’ “communicatable” in English. So… I would recommend this place to you.

One of the nicer clubs in Rome. Unlike the clubs in Testaccio where diverse groups of people come, clients here are mostly Italians.

SAN LORENZO

San Loreanzo is located around the main university in Rome; it’s a collegetown. Bars and restaurants are significantly cheaper than in the historical center. Pretty artsy and young part of Rome.

8. Locanda Atlantide

Via dei Lucani 22b – Quartiere San Lorenzo

http://www.localatlantide.it

An ex-industrial warehouse. Don’t be put off at the facade, because it’s actually quite cool inside.

9. SAID Cioccolateria

http://www.said.it

Well, this is really not a party place. But… Are you a serious chocolate fan? Please go to this chocolate factory, you will love it. It does not offer any factory scenes that you may imagine from the title, but these guys make good chocolate, chocolate cake, hot chocolate, everything!

via Tiburtina 15

10. Bar à Book

via dei Piceni, 23

http://www.barabook.it

This is not a ‘real’ bar  either.

Tired of Italian cafes where you have to drink your coffee standing up? Do you miss those cafes where you can just sit and chill without paying extra money? If you want to discover a nice place to sit down and study for the entire day, go to Bar a Book. Pretty cool.

Gay Vilage (EUR)

http://www.gayvillage.it

http://romesgayvillage.com

The Gay Village has settled in EUR (a neighborhood in Rome designed during Italy’s Fascist period; you will learn all about the architecture during the semester) in 2002. Rome is a surprisingly gay-tolerant and gay-friendly city – During Spring semester, the city of Rome hosted Euro Pride 2011, a successful event in which even Lady Gaga participated. Their website (http://www.gayvillage.it) introduces many parties in Rome.

EUR

EUR is located in the Southern part of Rome.

- Sunny Kim

01
Aug

Settling In (and some items you probably should bring to Rome)

By jk749 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Hi!

Here are friendly links to previous blog posts:

#1 Welcome to Cornell in Rome Fall 2011

#2 Restaurants in Rome (Italian cuisine)

#3 Bars and Gelaterie

#4 Bakeries in Rome (the good ones)

#5 Gluten Free Restaurants

#6 International Restaurants

#7 Where to hang out in Rome 1/5: Lungo il Tevere

#8 Where to hang out in Rome 2/5: Nightlife

————————————

The Fall semester in Rome is quickly approaching for you- Whether you really want or not, now you better really get ready!

Here are some tips for your successful settling in Rome. Some things you might want to bring here are also mentioned.

1. SLEEP WELL (with your earplugs on)

Where are you coming from to Rome? Most of you will be coming from a 6 or 7-hour time zone difference and will experience jet lag for a few weeks. Here are some tips to get over it quickly-

Sleeping well is the key of adjusting yourself into the new time zone. Many people fall ill during the first week in Rome – mostly due to some mild complications caused by jet lag. Being sick from the beginning will be probably very unfortunate especially in Fall semester, because you will be experiencing the beautiful Roman summer for the first month or so. Hence please sleep well to not get sick!

Are you a light sleeper? Then you will need many pairs of good earplugs, especially if you are living in the Sant’Anna apartments or in Cenci. The city of Rome and its people generate a lot of noise – the ambulance sirens are one of the most unforgettable, plus all the motorcycles, people yelling, etc… All these noises go up between the narrow alleyways. Yes, you can easily purchase earplugs at any local pharmacy but each pair costs €2.

This exact product cost €2 per pair. Would you be able to accept it?

This exact product cost €2 per pair. Would you be able to accept it?

2.Bring your water bottle:

This particular sexy water bottle costs €26.90 at http://www.bodum.com/it

This particular sexy water bottle costs €26.90 at http://www.bodum.com/it

Hydrating yourself in a consistent manner is also important to keep yourself healthy at all times. You may already be a fan of carrying water everywhere you go – However, it is difficult to find a cheap, light, and easily portable water bottle in Rome (there is a Bodum store in Trastevere but you probably do not want to spend €16 for your water bottle). So bring one from home! It will also be very useful during all the school trips throughout the semester.

3. Bring your medicine.

Get yo drugs ready.

Get yo drugs ready.

You probably have been informed that bringing certain types of medication to Italy may be difficult. Still, you can bring some basic medications such as Tylenol and Advil without any problem. Things are always more expensive in Europe- plus, the irregular opening hours of pharmacies in Italy might seriously annoy you in case of an urgent need.

4. Befriend Google maps (or any map available) as your best friend

Most of you will be living in a city that you are not familiar with- Playing with Google maps (even if it’s just another way to procrastinate) is a very enjoyable version of previewing and reviewing massive amounts of regional information you hope to learn ASAP…. For FREE. And it works very well.

377-h_main

5. Learn some Italian!

It takes some effort to feel comfortable at a new place, especially where a different language is spoken. Although most Italians you encounter (café waiters, store owners, etc) can speak some English, their attitude will be different once you make an attempt to speak Italian. Trying to speak the language in a foreign country is the basic way to show your respect to the foreign society you chose to enter.

- Sunny Kim

Hosted by Edublogs Campus