Author Archives: ajb453

Trastevere, my new Neighborhood

Living in Rome is quite the experience. Our dormitory/apartment complex is located in the section of the city known as Trastevere. Its a pretty bustling are south of the city center. Its location is very perfect for our classes. Its about a 20 minute walk to the Pantheon, where our classroom is.

Trastevere is full of narrow cobble stone roads that lead to small piazzas, with small restaurants everywhere.

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The Tiber river also runs on the north side of the area, and our building offers a spectacular view. In one part of the river, a small island stands between the two riverbanks, and a bridge connects it to either side. It is called Tiber Island, or in Italian Insula Tiberina, This island has on it a hospital. Ever since the 3rd century BC, it has been a place of healing when a temple to Aesculapius was erected. Check it out below…

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On the first day, we ate a spectacular restaurant called Ponentino. Right off the plane, and just after settling in our new home, myself and a small group wandered into the Trastevere roads, and ended up here.

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A friendly waiter served us our first meal in Italy. Pizza. It was great. Check it out.

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Location: Trastevere, Rome, Italy

Long Ways Away

Hello,

My Name is Alex Baukus, and I am in Rome, Italy. I’m participating in the International Program in Nutrition (IPN), of the College of Health and Human Development. My major is Biobehavioral Health (BB H), and I will be a senior next year.

My trip took me from State College, PA to New York, NY via the megabus. After spending the night in the city at a friend’s place, I took the MTA subway to JFK airport. From JFK, I grabbed an overnight flight to Berlin, Germany. After a brief lay over, I boarded another plane to Rome, Italy.

Flying over the Austrian and Swiss Alps was a sight to behold. The turbulence generated by the updrafts was quite bouncy. Included here is a shot of them from the plane.
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Here in Rome, myself and 15 others in my program are living in a old Convent called Santa Maria Capella, located along the Tiber River in the neighborhood of Travestre.  IMG_0941_WEB.jpg

   

This following photo here is a shot out my bedroom window, looking down the Tiber River as it flows south.

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As a group, all 16 of us have the same classes, Nutrition 499, Nutrition 399, and Architecture 297A. These courses meet during the week in a classroom near the famous Pantheon.  Out the window of the classroom is this spectacular view.

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More entries and pictures to follow soon!

Location: Vicolo Santa Maria in Cappella, Rome, Italy