Traveling in style..

Everywhere in Europe, people travel via Vespa. The Vespa. .or "motorino" is sleek and simple in its design. I just don't think they tried hard enough. .that being said lets take it a step further. .so here's my proposal for the new 2007 Vespa.
Powered by a lava lamp the 07Vespa V can go from 0-200 in 3.2 seconds. A ragtag team of retired NASA engineers equipped the Vespa V with the latest in technological wonders. If a rocket engine isn't enough to excite you then the plethora of gadgets in this bad boy will knock your socks off. Such standard items include: satellite tracking and for the ultimate in comfort a team of orthopedic professionals suggested the use of a dentist chair. The Vespa V is bound to turn some heads, self proclaimed as a "chick magnet".

"oh bartender..I'll have mine on the rocks"

So back in the day... I took 3 years of Spanish and one year of Latin.. Since then I took a blood oath that I would never take another language...
Well much has happened since high school and in order to study abroad we had to take Italian...
And a blood oath had to be broken.
In hindsight, it was ironically similar to the two languages that was taught to me.
In my Italian studies, the Spanish gets mixed in sometimes, but I forgot all but one Latin phrase. (actually I know a few Latin phrases, but for the sake of argument. .and story purposes.. I will only recall one).

"Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam."

Which simply translates to: I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.

rubrix cubes and panda dust

A further analyzing of life abroad...After careful deliberation Ive concluded that three fundamentals of Italian life exist. Good food (which also includes good wine), European time which gives person "1A" half an hour to an hour acceptance of arriving late to an appointment, and the ability to maneuver small tiny vehicles such as Vespas and "smart cars" through alley ways and large flocks of Japanese tourists...

Also, one hasn't lived until being chased by an ambulance on a one way street hurling through cobble stones and bouncing from one alley wall to the next...This also goes for Taxis, and street cleaning trucks...

We are constantly warned to be aware of "pickpockets" and scams...I cant tell you how many times people have come up to me and told me that Rome is number one in pickpocket crimes. OK. .that's fine, but warn someone else, like a country kid from farmville Idaho. None of us have been subject to these crimes, and I can tell you why. This is because we have nothing to get pickpocket...People act as if these pickpockets are the equivalent to stealth ninjas. And I disagree, just don't carry too much and be smart. I don't even carry my wallet on me, not from fear of these "ninjas" but because it feels uncomfortable in my pants.

One thing is for certain...Can't beat the scenery
-Love from Roma

As the explorers venture off into the wilderness ..

In the year 7002 A.D. a space ship of architecture students crash land in a distant world known as Italy. The planet is inhabited by intelligent beings, elegance and beauty.

This reality shares similar qualities to that of there own, and has many distinct differences. One of them being the pace in which the inhabitants walk. Another flavor to this world is the diversity in custom. Its accepted for the natives to flock and attempt to woo our females... It is the norm.

The explorers can only hope to set there preconceived mind set aside and learn from these inhabitants.

"When in Rome do as the Romans do..."

Act one Sene one

An interlude thru the looking glass

I never know what to say in these things...which is most likely why I've procrastinated in doing so.

I suppose the main function of this "blog" is intended to document and record our thoughts and perspectives of this semester abroad. George Orwell's 1984 comes to mind, "big brother is watching", rather.. in this case, reading..

Or perhaps the administration thinks of us as explorers, and in a sense we are...

So here's to the blog, for those who feel as if they need to vicariously experience what we are experiencing, and to those who wish to "monitor" and sensor us..
-Cheers

Project 1