Monday was definitely Monday today. Kate and Megan forgot to set their phone back (we had daylight savings this past weekend and our ancient phones don't reset the time for us) so they woke up and started getting ready at 5 am instead of 6 am. Then, in the getting ready process, they discovered a spider, apparently with a body as big as a quarter. They couldn't kill it because it would be too loud (it was 5 am), so they just left it. Naturally, I couldn't go back to sleep with a spider in the room, so I had to go sleep in Kate's room. Then, when I got up at 7, I asked Sandy (our host dad) if he would come kill it.. of course it was gone. So now we have a massive spider on the loose in our room. Guess who won't be sleeping tonight.....
School was okay. The combination of it being the first day back after half-term AND it being Halloween made the kids a little wild. I was under the impression that Halloween wasn't celebrated in England.. turns out, it is! We weren't allowed to do Halloween activities at school though, because it's a Church of England school and the Church of England doesn't condone a dress-up-and-trick-or-treat Halloween. Still, all the children talked about all day was trick or treating and what their costumes were. Not much else exciting happened today!
I got pictures from Kate from the first few days in Rome, so I'll post those when I get a chance!
31 October 2011
30 October 2011
Pictures
When looking at these pictures, keep in mind that we blew our straightener the first day there, so ignore my hair.. also keep in mind that I lost my memory card from the first 2 days, so this is just the last 3.
Colosseo (aka Colosseum). The sand part is a reconstruction, but the rest is the original thing! Absolutely massive.
Emperor's entrance to the Colosseum.
One of the two gladiator entrances.
Apparently if you kiss this, your sins are all forgive for 100 days or something like that. I felt like I'd rather keep the sins instead of kissing that thing that a million other people have kissed. Talk about germs, my goodness!
Real arch and a blind arch. The blind arches apparently distribute the weight of the rocks above? Or something? Our guide said it was similar to water on an umbrella.
Just some ruins.
In the Roman Forum.
Place where Caesar was cremated, tucked away in the Roman Forum.
Part of a villa on Palatine Hill.
On Palatine Hill. Behind me is a hippodrome, used by Roman rulers. Directly behind me was the only place to sit to watch the events. Only emperors and Roman high-society (senate members, etc) were allowed to watch these events.
Better picture of the hippodrome. On the left is where the few people sat.
Some stairs we weren't allowed to walk up.
Kate and I by Circus Maximus, with Palatine Hill in the background. We couldn't walk in the Circus Maximus because the Italian Army was doing training exercises or something in it.
Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, and me.
Me and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.. beautiful inside!
Part of the Keys clan on the Spanish Steps!
Awkward? Haha
Momma and Poppa Keys on the Spanish Steps.
That's all until I steal Kate's and Megan's memory cards from the first few days!
28 October 2011
Rome - Days 3-4
Day 3 - Wednesday
We slept in a little bit on Wednesday morning because we were out kinda late on Tuesday night. When we got up, we walked down to a restaurant that Kate wanted to go to called Cleto. Turns out they don't open until 12 (it was only 1130), so we just ate somewhere else. Then Megan got sick (like, really sick.. maybe food poisoning?) so we took her back to the hotel and Kate and I went exploring. We walked to Piazza de Republic (I think?) and ate gelato by a pretty fountain. Then we just wandered around and stopped at a farmers market and walked to some other pretty building. At 3ish, we went to go meet up with Momma and Poppa Keys. The Keys family then ventured to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, an absolutely beautiful church. Then we picked up Kate and Megan from the hotel and went to the Piazza de Spagna (and did the Spanish steps). We walked to Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and then Randy got us lost trying to find Campo de Fiori. After walking in circles for a while, we found it.. I'm still not really sure exactly what Campo de Fiori is, but it was pretty! We ate dinner and then walked home by the Roman ruins. Overall, it was a fantastic night. It's always good to see Momma and Poppa Keys.. too bad it was only for a night =(
Day 4 - Thursday
We had to be out of our B&B by 10:30 on Thursday morning, but our flight wasn't until 8 pm.. so we checked out and walked around with our luggage (which was annoying, but what can you do?). We walked down to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore again, so Kate and Megan could see it. Then we walked down by the ruins of Trajan Market and by the Colosseum for one last time. We ate lunch at the Cleto place that Kate wanted to go to.
By that time, it was only 1 o'clock. We found a train (that we almost missed) to the airport. The train was at 1:52, but they didn't put the platform number up until 1:48 and it was literally the furthest platform away from where we were. We had to run through the Termini with a few other panicked people, but we made it. We were at the airport like 5 hours early though, so that sucked. We went through security, which is much more lax than security in American/English airports. I didn't take a single liquid out of my bag, and Megan set off the metal detector, and they just sent us on our way! Passport control was also a breeze.. they barely looked at our passports.. just stamped them and let us through. We lucked out, I think! The flight back was uneventful. Our host dad, Sandy, picked us up from the airport (we love him) and we got back to our house around 10:30.
Now, back to the real world! I'm spending the day studying for my GRE and planning lessons, then heading into London for a dinner date.
I'll put up Rome pictures shortly! However, I lost my memory card from the first 2 days (not happy about it).. so I only have pictures from the last 3 days.
We slept in a little bit on Wednesday morning because we were out kinda late on Tuesday night. When we got up, we walked down to a restaurant that Kate wanted to go to called Cleto. Turns out they don't open until 12 (it was only 1130), so we just ate somewhere else. Then Megan got sick (like, really sick.. maybe food poisoning?) so we took her back to the hotel and Kate and I went exploring. We walked to Piazza de Republic (I think?) and ate gelato by a pretty fountain. Then we just wandered around and stopped at a farmers market and walked to some other pretty building. At 3ish, we went to go meet up with Momma and Poppa Keys. The Keys family then ventured to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, an absolutely beautiful church. Then we picked up Kate and Megan from the hotel and went to the Piazza de Spagna (and did the Spanish steps). We walked to Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and then Randy got us lost trying to find Campo de Fiori. After walking in circles for a while, we found it.. I'm still not really sure exactly what Campo de Fiori is, but it was pretty! We ate dinner and then walked home by the Roman ruins. Overall, it was a fantastic night. It's always good to see Momma and Poppa Keys.. too bad it was only for a night =(
Day 4 - Thursday
We had to be out of our B&B by 10:30 on Thursday morning, but our flight wasn't until 8 pm.. so we checked out and walked around with our luggage (which was annoying, but what can you do?). We walked down to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore again, so Kate and Megan could see it. Then we walked down by the ruins of Trajan Market and by the Colosseum for one last time. We ate lunch at the Cleto place that Kate wanted to go to.
By that time, it was only 1 o'clock. We found a train (that we almost missed) to the airport. The train was at 1:52, but they didn't put the platform number up until 1:48 and it was literally the furthest platform away from where we were. We had to run through the Termini with a few other panicked people, but we made it. We were at the airport like 5 hours early though, so that sucked. We went through security, which is much more lax than security in American/English airports. I didn't take a single liquid out of my bag, and Megan set off the metal detector, and they just sent us on our way! Passport control was also a breeze.. they barely looked at our passports.. just stamped them and let us through. We lucked out, I think! The flight back was uneventful. Our host dad, Sandy, picked us up from the airport (we love him) and we got back to our house around 10:30.
Now, back to the real world! I'm spending the day studying for my GRE and planning lessons, then heading into London for a dinner date.
I'll put up Rome pictures shortly! However, I lost my memory card from the first 2 days (not happy about it).. so I only have pictures from the last 3 days.
25 October 2011
Rome - days 2-3
Day 2 - Monday.
Monday morning we were up bright and early for our Vatican Museums tour. We took the Metro, which was interesting. The Metro in Rome only has 2 lines, line A and line B. Not the streamlined system the London Underground is! It was packed, but it got us where we needed to be. We met our tour guide, Francesca (who knows everything there is to know about everything in the Vatican), outside the walls of the Vatican. We skipped the lines, and went straight into the Vatican Museums. We went through all the museums and learned about the Popes and things. Then we went to the Raphael Rooms, which are incredible. Then we went in the Sistine Chapel, which is even more incredible. And then, we went in St. Peter's Basilica, which happens to be the most incredible place in the whole world... so, naturally, my camera died while we were in there. The Vatican is, hands down, my favorite place in the entire world. I love it. So much history! I want to go back to school and study the Vatican and the Popes.
After the Vatican tour, we ate lunch at a really expensive Italian place by the Vatican. Then, we hopped on our tour bus and rode it to the Trevi Fountain, which is gorgeous. After that, we walked to the Pantheon, which is also incredible. Then we spent a few hours in Piazza Navona, which is beautiful at night. We decided we should see the Trevi Fountain at night as well, so we hung out there for a while. Then we walked to the Colosseum to see that at night. We took the Metro back to our B&B at 11 pm-ish. Long day, but easily my favorite day of my life.
Day 3 - Tuesday.
Tuesday morning was not as smooth as Monday. We got up, and decided to take our tour bus to the Colosseum for our Ancient Rome tour at 10:30. We got on the bus, and I realized I had forgotten our voucher. So we had to get off the bus, walk back to the B&B, and then find a taxi to take us to the Colosseum. It costs 8 euros for that taxi ride, and it was probably 3 minutes. Our Ancient Rome tour started at the Colosseum, where we learned everything there is to know about the Colosseum. Then we went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, aka the coolest Roman ruins ever. There are so many of them, and they are all so old and so impressive. Our tour guide wasn't as good on this tour, but we still learned a lot. Then, we walked over to the Circus Maximus. The Italian Army was doing something in the Circus, so we couldn't walk down into it. Still cool to see though. Then we walked back to our B&B, and now we're getting ready for the night. I think we're going to go to a karaoke bar. Should be interesting!
I'll put all kinds of pictures up whenever I get back to England.
Tomorrow, I get to see Momma and Poppa Keys! So exciting!
Monday morning we were up bright and early for our Vatican Museums tour. We took the Metro, which was interesting. The Metro in Rome only has 2 lines, line A and line B. Not the streamlined system the London Underground is! It was packed, but it got us where we needed to be. We met our tour guide, Francesca (who knows everything there is to know about everything in the Vatican), outside the walls of the Vatican. We skipped the lines, and went straight into the Vatican Museums. We went through all the museums and learned about the Popes and things. Then we went to the Raphael Rooms, which are incredible. Then we went in the Sistine Chapel, which is even more incredible. And then, we went in St. Peter's Basilica, which happens to be the most incredible place in the whole world... so, naturally, my camera died while we were in there. The Vatican is, hands down, my favorite place in the entire world. I love it. So much history! I want to go back to school and study the Vatican and the Popes.
After the Vatican tour, we ate lunch at a really expensive Italian place by the Vatican. Then, we hopped on our tour bus and rode it to the Trevi Fountain, which is gorgeous. After that, we walked to the Pantheon, which is also incredible. Then we spent a few hours in Piazza Navona, which is beautiful at night. We decided we should see the Trevi Fountain at night as well, so we hung out there for a while. Then we walked to the Colosseum to see that at night. We took the Metro back to our B&B at 11 pm-ish. Long day, but easily my favorite day of my life.
Day 3 - Tuesday.
Tuesday morning was not as smooth as Monday. We got up, and decided to take our tour bus to the Colosseum for our Ancient Rome tour at 10:30. We got on the bus, and I realized I had forgotten our voucher. So we had to get off the bus, walk back to the B&B, and then find a taxi to take us to the Colosseum. It costs 8 euros for that taxi ride, and it was probably 3 minutes. Our Ancient Rome tour started at the Colosseum, where we learned everything there is to know about the Colosseum. Then we went to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, aka the coolest Roman ruins ever. There are so many of them, and they are all so old and so impressive. Our tour guide wasn't as good on this tour, but we still learned a lot. Then, we walked over to the Circus Maximus. The Italian Army was doing something in the Circus, so we couldn't walk down into it. Still cool to see though. Then we walked back to our B&B, and now we're getting ready for the night. I think we're going to go to a karaoke bar. Should be interesting!
I'll put all kinds of pictures up whenever I get back to England.
Tomorrow, I get to see Momma and Poppa Keys! So exciting!
23 October 2011
Rome!
We made it to Rome! We flew in yesterday afternoon. Our B&B might be the sketchiest place ever. We came to check in and it's in an apartment building, so we buzzed and buzzed and no one answered. So we snuck in when someone else opened the door. Then, we walked up to where this place was supposed to be and knocked and knocked and no one answered! Finally, we found a couple who let us in. The keys to our room were in our door and there was no one working the desk... so we took the keys and hoped it was the right room! This morning, someone came at like 9 to ask us if we wanted breakfast. So we got breakfast, and we told him our toilet doesn't work (cause it doesn't). It's night time and it's still broken. And no one cleaned in our room. Very odd place. We've called the number on the door at least 7 times and no one has answered.
Last night, we met up with Megan's friend Max who's studying abroad in Rome. We went to dinner at a little Italian place and then went to meet up with some of Max's friends. There are eight guys, all from the east coast, studying abroad with him, so we went out with them last night. It was a good time! We went to some bar, and then tried to go to some club but one of the guys got us lost so we just went back. This morning, we got up and went on a bus tour (about 2-3 hours long). It was an audio one, where you listen to headphones, so not as good as the live announcers we had in London. Still really good to see everything though! After the bus tour, we ate at a little Italian place right by the Colosseum. Then we walked around by the Colosseum and into the Piazza de Venezia (I think that's what it was called). We hung out there for a while (absolutely beautiful buildings!) and then walked back to our B&B (after spending a good 10 minutes lost in the middle of Rome).
Tonight we're going to check out to Piazza Navona. Tomorrow morning, we have our Vatican Museums tour, which I am SO excited about! The other girls are way more interested in the Ancient Rome stuff (which is interesting), but I'm really stoked for the Vatican. Apparently, the Pope was cannonized today (because he cured a woman of Parkinson's).. we drove by on our bus right after the ceremony, so there were a bajillion people there.
I just love Rome.
Last night, we met up with Megan's friend Max who's studying abroad in Rome. We went to dinner at a little Italian place and then went to meet up with some of Max's friends. There are eight guys, all from the east coast, studying abroad with him, so we went out with them last night. It was a good time! We went to some bar, and then tried to go to some club but one of the guys got us lost so we just went back. This morning, we got up and went on a bus tour (about 2-3 hours long). It was an audio one, where you listen to headphones, so not as good as the live announcers we had in London. Still really good to see everything though! After the bus tour, we ate at a little Italian place right by the Colosseum. Then we walked around by the Colosseum and into the Piazza de Venezia (I think that's what it was called). We hung out there for a while (absolutely beautiful buildings!) and then walked back to our B&B (after spending a good 10 minutes lost in the middle of Rome).
Tonight we're going to check out to Piazza Navona. Tomorrow morning, we have our Vatican Museums tour, which I am SO excited about! The other girls are way more interested in the Ancient Rome stuff (which is interesting), but I'm really stoked for the Vatican. Apparently, the Pope was cannonized today (because he cured a woman of Parkinson's).. we drove by on our bus right after the ceremony, so there were a bajillion people there.
I just love Rome.
20 October 2011
Almost half-term!
Today was a pretty eventful day at school. For starters, our gerbil, Plus 1, died this morning. He's been poorly for the last few days and he finally gave in today. I don't think the children have even noticed that his container isn't there anymore though. I taught Numeracy today and it went really well. Definitely the smoothest lesson I've had thus far in my student teaching. This afternoon, the fire truck came, so all the children got to go outside and look around the fire truck, and THEN they got to spray the hose (well, they got to pull back the handle while the fireman held the hose). Very exciting for them!
Funny things the kids have said:
- Yesterday on the playground, a Year 2 boy came up to me and said "You know Miss Keys, you have a really good American accent"....... thanks? Haha.
- Today, I was reading a story and it said "shut up" in it. I read it, and then reminded the children that we don't say that at school. This little girl raises her hand and says "Miss Keys you aren't allowed to say for f**k's sake"......out loud, on the carpet, in front of 24 other little ears... I literally was speechless for a good 5 seconds. You can tell how her mummy and daddy talk at home!
ONE MORE SCHOOL DAY UNTIL ROME!
Funny things the kids have said:
- Yesterday on the playground, a Year 2 boy came up to me and said "You know Miss Keys, you have a really good American accent"....... thanks? Haha.
- Today, I was reading a story and it said "shut up" in it. I read it, and then reminded the children that we don't say that at school. This little girl raises her hand and says "Miss Keys you aren't allowed to say for f**k's sake"......out loud, on the carpet, in front of 24 other little ears... I literally was speechless for a good 5 seconds. You can tell how her mummy and daddy talk at home!
ONE MORE SCHOOL DAY UNTIL ROME!
18 October 2011
Pictures from Windsor
Best picture I took all day. I love it.
Megan and I in front of part of the castle.
They walked by so close.
People live here.. inside Windsor Castle. Like this man and his wheelbarrow. So cool!
St. George's Chapel and me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)