The preparation continues. I actually started the packing process today, which consisted of throwing various articles of clothing all around my bed and then going downstairs to watch a movie.

Public Service Announcement: Taking money to a foreign country is not as easy a process as you may have been told or assumed. ATM cards have a $3-$10 charge, traveler’s cheques have a $5.50 fee to use at a bank (not to mention the fact that they’re spelled funny), and you can just walk into a bank in the U.S. and convert dollars to euros, as they have to order them first. The only good news is that using a Visa card is really as easy as they show in all those commercials where Visa is “everywhere you want to be.”

While on the subject of money, I’ll add that pickpockets are everywhere you don’t want them to be, so I’ve thoroughly taken that precaution. I have a money belt to store my cards and cash in, which will actually be under my shirt, and will have my camera and mp3 player in a over-the-neck case which I’ll hold in front of me. That should prevent simple pickpockets from grabbing anything, although I don’t know how I’ll deal with gypsies who through babies at you, and then steal your things when you go to catch the baby. Also, I believe I have all 67 papers I need in order to cross the border and then receive the Permesso di Soggiorno (Permission to Stay) forms from the police department once I arrive there.

I found out a few days ago that I’ll be sharing my apartment with one David Johnson, from Wabash College, Indiana. I was surprised that we seem to have an entire apartment to ourselves, although in an email I received yesterday it looks as though there may be people from outside of our abroad program staying there.

I also got the first week and a half itinerary, and it looks a little something like this:

• Saturday, January 25: In the morning, arrive in Rome, meet with our abroad staff, and head to the Hotel Tiziano. Recuperate from the 8 hour flight and 6 hour flight change until 7:00pm, at which we meet in the hotel lobby for an information meeting followed by a short walking tour to Trastevere for a welcome reception.
  
• Sunday, January 26: Meet in the lobby in the morning. Short walking tour of some Roman Squares to Piazza Venezia, where we will see a virtual show of Rome’s history. Then a bus tour follows, which gives an overview of Rome.
  
• Monday, January 27: In the morning, visit the “Christian” Rome of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistene Chapel. Then the afternoon is an optional tour of the picturesque Trastevere neighborhood, or shopping tour around the Spanish Steps.
  
• Tuesday, January 28: Tour of Ancient Rome: The Colosseo, Forum, and Palatine Hill. Then an optional English movie at night.
  
• Wednesday, January 29: Welcome to Florence! After a bus ride from Rome to Florence, settle into apartments. Then in the afternoon a meeting at Piazza della Signoria, and a welcome dinner in the evening.
  
• Thursday, January 30: Meet at Piazza Duomo in the morning for a walking guided tour through the historical center, followed by a “survival” tour and oltrarno tour in the afternoon.
  
• Friday, January 31: Meet for an Italian breakfast in the morning, then an orientation at Lorenzo de’ Medici (our school).
  
• Saturday, February 1: Tour of the Central Market in the morning. Then free for the rest of the week.
  

Let’s see…yes, I’d say this abroad trip was a wise decision.

posted by Jon at 5:44 AM
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