day02

DAY 2.

( day 2's reflection. )

Love, Rachael.

Hey guys! As for Day2 ....

We visited to the Colosseum which is a very creative and well-structured building to me. It was built up within 8 months by 5000+ slaves. There are many big and wide doors on the building as in the past, Romans were very afraid of fire and crowds. The tall and wide doors allowed them to escape very quickly. It must be a really hard job for those slaves who built the Colosseum.

We may apply a Colosseum to our school by building it at the Cupola. Why the Cupola? The Cupola is an open-wide space which everyone in the school will be able to notice. We can have the performing arts groups: Dance, Band and Choir to perform small showcases over there.

We can also have some lightings built on the 2nd floor and some dance mats on the ground floor to make the performances more interesting. We can also put black curtains around the Cupola in order not to get the audience distracted by the people walking around during performances. :)

 

 

Thats all for day 2 ^^

sorry, I still can't find my pictures and I don't know why! Hahas. :D

LOL, 

 Victoria 

P/s : LOL = Lots Of Love

Hello Hei Heyy!!!
I'm in the plane now, and the flight is 12  hours! It's very boring and i'm crazy because of all the waiting . Fortunately, there's awesome food served inside the plan. We ate dinner and breakfast inside the plane. i watched movies and sleep and-wake up then watch movies again...So basically, it was a very stressing 12 hours to me.


After that, we arrived at Amsterdam at around 8 am (Italian time) and exchange flight to go from Amsterdam to Rome. This flight is shorter, it is only about three and a half hours. Although, its only for a short time, we are given food and snacks, which is totally awesome! It was easier for me to sleep this time because i just feel more comfortable.


We arrived at Rome at around 1 pm ( Italian time) but we were behind schedule because of the luggage taking (?) delay, After we get all our things, I have already left a first impression about Rome - Italy that is totally not safe! Mr.M's and Wnx's luggage was cut! i was totally worried and scared because of these things happening in the beginning of the trip. Fortunately, nothing serious happened.After getting our luggage, we went for lunch and had lasagna, salads, and sorbet, etc.


Then we went to the Roman Collosseum and learn the history about it from outside because its closed at 3.30 pm during winter. After that, we learn about the Roman Forums too.


After going through all that, we went for dinner at a chinese restaurant and we weren't able to finish our food.


After that, we went to the hotel and got a room at 707 with Dianne & Alphonsine....so, Goodnite.

just arrived in Italy!

awesome group picture btw...hehe

*What have i learnt about the Roman Colloseum?

I learnt that the Roman Colloseum was meant for entertainment for the people in the past. People kill each others asa form of attraction for the audience to see and to free themselves too.I have learnt that the shape of the Roman Colloseum is that way so  that it can project sounds bigger for the audience to enjoy.

*How can we apply it in school?

We can apply it in school by creating our own stage, with the concept of the Roman Colloseum, by putting it in an open space so that it is open for everybody to see. We can dance on that Roman Colloseum stage and so , it will turn out  fantastic and Grand.

*What are the real possible steps to make it happen?

We can put it in an open-space area so that the sounds can cover larger areas and it will look more awesome. We can arrange the stairs or seats in a different positions and arrangement, so that the sudience can have more comfort in watching it.

We can put the props, such as lights, speakers ,etc to make it more of a stage than a stadium.

thx,

KARTINI

Day 2!! :DD

We were in Amsterdam Airport and its snowing!!! It was my first time seeing snow! We do not have the chance to touch it, we only could see it from inside the airport :’( How I wish I could touch and play with the snow..

Later on, we boarded the plane to Rome. The seats are much more comfortable than the plane previously. I slept in the plane.

We finally reached our destination, ROME!! Yay! No more planes! We went to An Italian restaurant. I didn’t eat much, maybe I was not feeling well.

The bus drove us to the Roman Colosseum. On the way there, I looked out of the window. I see many graffiti. Some are nice but some are just scribblings. We reach the Roman Colosseum! We went around the Colosseum.  It was a huge stadium used for gladiator fights. There are 80 entrances and 80 exits and it can hold up to about ten thousands of people(?). There are small little holes on the wall of the Colosseum. They used the stones on the wall to make weapons. The gladiators are prisoners and they fight for their freedom. Its a sad story. They have no lives and what they always do are just fighting fighting and fighting..

After visiting the Colosseum, we went to the Trevi Fountain. It was beautiful! People could make a wish there. I didn’t as it was too crowded.

We took the bus to the hotel. The hotel looked rather creepy, but it looked romantic. I had a good sleep in the hotel :)

End of Day Two!

xoxo,

SiChing

DAY 02 (^^) <3

Hey people :)
So it's day 2..

Today, we visited the roman colosseum. It was a very interesting place and i got to know the history about it. For example like how it was built, who built it and what it is used for. The roman colosseum was built by slaves and it was for entertainment. The slaves have to fight in the gladiator fight in order to become a freed man.

This can be applied to our school as well, for example, we could build something like the roman colosseum at the cupola. That platform could be used for the performing arts, dance, band and choir. To make this platform really happen, we would need dance mats for the rough floor. The steps and staircases would already be the audience seats. We would also need curtains to not let the performance be disrupted. The platform would be big enough and also the whole school could fit and watch the performance.

I really enjoyed visiting the colosseum! So here are some pictures...

The colosseum!

Yep, thats the colosseum :) And thats all for day 02~

xoxo, lessthanthree <3
ALPHONSINE! ^^

HEYYA!!

Its day #02..
(After the plane ride to Amsterdam)

I am sitting next to the glass window, its snowing! I can feel my heart beating. It's like i'm sitting on a roller-coaster going down a 200 foot steep slope. I feel extremely excited. While we are waiting for the next plane ride to Rome, we pressed our nose to the glass window as it was snowing lightly outside. Some of us did not have the chance to see snow and is hoping to see it and their dream came through. We were all trying to take a good picture of the snow falling. Then, it was time to write our reflections. It's 9:33am here in Amsterdam. I'm about to board the plane.

XOXO,
Sheryl

What a tiring day, and its only the first day!

Right now we're in Amsterdam airport, and its snowing!!!!!! I've been to a few winter countries, but i've never seen snow before, and this is my first time seeing snow, but we could only see it from the inside of the airport, so we didn't really got a chance to touch it :(


snow...

snow on the parking lot..

Thats the snow!! We boarded the plane to Rome, and i got the window seat!!! I'm so loving it, but this flight didn't have any entertainment, so it was somehow a boring flight.


my window seat!

zzzzzz....i slept throughout the flight to Rome..

We finally arrived at our destination!!! FINALLY! We headed for lunch at this Italian restaurant, and the meal was delicious!!! But the best part was our desert, which was the lemon salve!!!


We walked back to our bus that drove us around Rome, and the place was amazing!!! The architecture of the buildings are totally different as compared to Singapore, and of course there was lots of graffiti, it was somewhat special and ugly at the same time...It makes the streets special and all, but at the same time, it spoils the whole scenery of Rome..
Anyway, the central of Rome was like walking into a history textbook, everything was so historical, and was amazing...the buildings are very nice, and there's statues on the buildings, there were mostly Greek Gods, like Zeus, Athena, blah blah blah..

Next stop, we have the Roman Colosseum!!! It was kind of cool, the shape and size of the place, but the history of it was sorta sad to hear. That wonderful stadium,used to hold very dangerous and cruel events like the gladiator fights...The gladiators was of course all the prisoners and slaves, and they would fight for their freedom, and if your not tough enough for that, you'll just simply get killed. The Colosseum was also built by the slaves, and imagine how hard the life of the slaves were...:(

 this is me, on the way walking to the Colosseum.

The Colosseum in the sunset..After that we had extra time, so we went to the Trevi Fountain.

 

This is me at the Trevi Fountain.

This is the Cheeks at the Trevi Fountain.

Thats it for day 2
love,
Kim Sarah

Day 2:


I'm soo exhausted after the long hours in plane...


Finally we landed, and began our tour.


First, we went to eat at a nearby resturant for our lunch, but I wasn't feeling very well( probably due to motion sickness. ) so I didn't eat much. Anyways, we visited the Roman Colosseo, though it was closed by the time we reached there, our tour guide still manage to tell us about the history of the colosseo from the outside...


History of the Roman Colosseo:


- It took about 8 yrs and 15 000 workers to actually build the stadium.

-It was a bowl-shaped like structure ; like most of the modern stadiums, with 80 entrances & exits, which can hold up to ten thousands of people.

The stadium was used for entertaiment, the most famous one would be the Gladiator Fights . In the past, the Romans would use the war-prisoners and capture male slaves and force them into these dangerous fights, in exchange to their freedom. To the Romans their lifes meant nothing...

After visiting the Roman Colosseo, we went for dinner, and got an early rest back in the hotel.


wenxin- 




Benvenuti in Italia!
Shall we continue with this journey of mine? Hell yeah we should. Oops! Mi dispiace if my language is not Parent Approved. You must know that my entries are posted in 2 blogs: My Own Italia Blog and AES DANCE Blog. So most of the times, I post in this manner. So yes. :D

So here are the places that we've visited right after we arrived Italy.
We have the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and then Roma Hotel!

Where was I? Oh yes, after the dancers and I have gotten our bags, we made our way out! And ohmygosh! When we went out of the Airport, the breeze was so cold! Sigh, even the weather awes me. ^^ We had to walk to our bus (kinda far and tiring) with our luggage at tow! I couldn't walk that fast at all, too busy checking out the buildings and the Italians! If you see me, you would think I am a cave woman. EVERYTHING IS JUST SOOO AMAZING TO ME!

So anyways, with much effort, we finally saw the bus!
And get this, the bus is completely different. Their driver's chair is on the left which means that the door is on the opposite side too. We were like: OHMYGOSH! HAHAHA. The very first Italian word we said was CIAO and that was for our Driver (forgot his name :/ )! He was extremely friendly with his Ciao plus a smile! Hehehe. He helped us with our heavy bags and we said: GRATZIEE (second Italian word).

And off we go to our lunch!
Along the way, there are loads of sights to see and awe at!!! I couldn't help but press my face against the window just to get a better view. SIGH. Italia is so beautiful, Thank GOD for letting me experience this :) The buildings were completely different from Singapore's HDBs. Italian buildings have this high-class feel in an old fashion way. I must tell you that Buildings always remind me of my own 'DANCE LINES'. I always look at the Building's shape and line and I would then link it all back to my own dance. It helps me to be conscious on 'lengthening myself'' and making myself look TALL on stage. ^^

Anyways, let's move on. So as we headed to our destination, Mr Dan, gave us a little history about Italia as well as few facts about the country too. OHS! Guess what, some of their walls are vandalised, as in GRAFFITI! The weird part is that, instead of ruining the walls and buildings, the Graffiti made it more hmmm.. mysterious? European? Take your pick!

After sightseeing and Italy history, we finally reached our destination.
Not exactly right in front of the doorstep since we have to walk few blocks. Italians love to walk I guess? Or maybe because their buses have restricted places to park and so on. They can't exactly drop us anywhere. Kinda strict. But hey! I am not complaining at all, this just means that I will be walking and see the buildings, trees, Italians etc up close!!! So we walk all the way to the Restorante! :DD

A lil info: The restaurant was actually closed for the day but Mr Dan sort of made arrangements and VOILA! They are open just for us. ^^ Feel so especial!

Hmm. How should I describe the restaurant? Have you watched Old European movies? The main character having dinner with the family? The restaurant looks real classy with its decor as well as waiters in their white uni? Wells, that's how the Restorante looked like! I was in awe once more! OHS! And the owners, waitresses, chefs etc were soooo FRIENDLY to the max! They actually greeted us first with their: BUON GIORNO plus smile! Lovely people.

So went upstairs and they actually SERVE us! Hehehe.
First thing I did was to check the prices (hehe, I tend to do that). And ohlala! Their water is like 3 Euro?! :O And instead of putting 3.00 Euro, they put it as: 3,00 Euro. For a second, I thought it was 300! Hehehehe. Water is really precious in Italy, you have to buy and not just get it anywhere ( I MISS SG). So here's what we ate:

Lasagna (White Italian Lasagna)
Chicken Salad (Extremely Tender!)
Yogurt? (I forgot the name!)Can I just say that it's the Best lunch I ever had (sorry mama!). Hehe. The Lasagna was heaven and then there was the super extremely tender chicken! The taste totally sinks in and you can't help but say: hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That's how good it was. The salad was lovely too, sweet and sour, MY FAVE! Hehehe. I couldn't help commenting and express my thoughts. Haha. Italian food is awesome and I haven't even tried the Gelato, Pizza and Pasta!

Dianne Time (DT): One of the waiters was cuteee! Seriously, couldn't stop looking at him and he actually served me! Hahaha. ^^ Great food, Cutee guy. Life is good huh?! Ok. Let's move on. Sorry for grossing you out!After the scrumptious lunch, we had to go since we are so behind schedule! So after making our way back to the bus, we are off to the Colosseum and meet our tour Guide for the day!

COLOSSEUM , THE ROMAN FORUMLike the first one, we didn't exactly dropped in front of the Colosseum. We were once again, few blocks away! Remember I told you that something bad will happen (woman's intuition)? Wells, i was right! Paula (our tour guide) told us that we couldn't enter the Colosseum as it is close! It closed at exactly 3pm, and it was already 4pm?! So in my mind I was like: Noooooooooooo! Then of course, we can't have that attitude right? Always look on the bright side. Be Positive! That's my motto. Where was I?

Oh yes, and of course, The Roman Forum was close too.
Since it's a holiday, they close real early. D: So Paula improvised and decided that since we can't go Insideee, we can just be outside and admire it from a far! See, always look on the brighter side! The dancers, teachers together with the Italian tour guide walked and crossed the bridge to the Colosseum. As we walk closer and closer, my heart beat faster! Seriously, I was nervous and excited all together!

Let me tell you a background story shall we? Hmm, I've been fascinated with Italian culture and history since I was 10 years old! I've read the Italy History over and over again and seeing the Colosseum for the first time (in person!) is just a dream come true. SURREAL!As we reached the place, we saw a group of Italians wearing a Roman Soldier's costume and ''Kalesa'or Horse-drawn Carriages. As Paula talked about the History of the Colosseum, my eyes keep wandering off! So many things to look at in so little time. I closed my eyes, took a big breathe and calmed myself. After which, I was ready to face the Colosseum! Such beautiful structure! As Paula explained to us, something caught my attention, she mentioned that even before the Colosseum was finished and was given a GO SIGN, they already used it! :O I mean what if it collapsed? Or something went wrong? Then it made me think again, sometimes in life, no matter how hard you plan with a PERFECT Documents etc the best way to really see the product is to try it yourself and just go for it! Am I making sense here? Hmm. Hope you understand. That's just my theory! ^^

So after many cam whoring and jump shots, we made our way back to the bus (had to walk again). Paula explained that she will tell us the history of The Roman Forum while on the bus! I think it was the best :) Do you know that the Emperors were Pagan? Which means that they used to worship the Greek Gods like Venus! See, I was listening to Paula! :D The bus went around The Roman Forum as Paula talked. It's only 5pm and it was already dark! For a minute you will think it's 8pm! :O

After The Roman Forum, we headed to our dinner!
HAH! Before eating, we have to drain out our energy first right? And what's the best way to do that but to SHOP for souvenirs! Hehehe. The bus dropped us and Mr Dan Mr M Paula, warned us to be EXTRA careful as it will be very crowded = more chance for us to get lost or get pick-pocketed! ^^ And guess where we were? TREVI FOUNTAIN yo.

TREVI FOUNTAINOhyes ohyes ohyes! Another highlight of the day! I've been longing to see and make a wish in the Trevi Fountain especially after I watched the movies: THE ROMAN HOLIDAY & LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE! Hehehe. In order to make things easier and of course safest, Mr M asked us to be in groups of quatro (4) or cinque (5). We were given 10minutes to shop, go toilet, wish in the fountain, buy gelato ect!

I grouped with the the Bella: Mai Kartini Rachael ^^
These girls are the best ever, they have the same attitude as mine. You know what is it? The attitude of efficiency. Hehe. We actually time ourselves! Lol. So anyways, we headed to the shops first. Hmm. How were the prices? Let me give you an advice, NEVER EVER CONVERT the prices to your own currency back home. It just defeats the purpose of shopping. Agree? Hehehe. The prices were okay, I mean the items are from Italy! Lol. I didn't exactly know what to buy since I am not a shop sort of girl.

Took us 5 minutes to decide. Hehehe. So I wanted to buy I ♥ ITALIA jacket but being me, I converted it and it was like $30. Sigh, so changed my mind. I should just have bought it! URGH!!!!! Ok ok. I opt for I ♥ ROMA shirt instead which was 5 Euro! Hehe. I didn't bought anything after that. I didn't want to spend the money that my parents gave me, I just feel so guilty you know? :D

DT: guess what you guys! The shop that we went to was owned by a FILIPINO! Hahaha. The sales lady was a Pinay and I totally talked to her in Tagalog. Hehehe. I did ask for a discount. Hehehe. Coolio. Such a small world huh?
After the shopping, we headed straight to the fountain. I must admit that I was nervous cause there were so many people! I keep feeling the pouch (near my tummy) where I hid my money and passport. Hehe. I shouldn't do that right? Too obvious. Well, THE GIRL WAS NERVOUS! Hohoho.

SOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSO!
On 9 December 2010, I MADE 2 WISHES IN THE TREVI FOUNTAIN!
It was suppose to be 3 wishes (that's what I read) but Paula said that 2 is alright. 1st wish is up to you while the 2nd one is that you will be back to ROMA with your eherm, special someone one day! Hehehe. So hopefully my wishes will come true ;D I threw 2 coins in. Gah! I can't believe that I actually did it you know? Once again, dreams do come true! Agree?!

Oh Dear God, let my wishes come true.So after taking photos (duh!) we headed back to the meeting place and we were EARLY! Yay yay yay. I really thought that we wouldn't owe Mr M anymore pumping but alas! Team Farliana Nicole Atika and Maryanne were late. Apparently, they couldn't find any toilet so they had to go around asking where they can use toilet without eating in the shops. D: So our punishment just keep piling up and it's only our 2nd day! Gaaaaah.

Hmm, after everyone met, we headed to our dinner.
And get this, OUR DINNER IS CHINESE! What the heck right?! We are in Italy and we are having Chinese. Such irony! hoho. Mr Dan did explain to us why. If we keep eating Italian food, won't we be sick of it? And it's make us feel hmm, homey too. So yes, AES DANCE ENSEMBLE had Chinese for dinner in Italy.

How was the food? All I can say is that nothing can beat HOME. Hehe. It was okay but I will still prefer Singaporean Chinese food anytime yo! :)

Ohoh! Let me tell you about their toilets in Italy! Hehe.
Most of their toilets are for both Female and Male. Seriously!
Rather scary if you ask me! :OOO

After that, we were off to our Hotel! Hehe. Paula bid farewell promising that she will see us tomorrow to see the Vatican City! Yay yay yay. So our day ended just like that. Okay, not exactly ended just like that since we have to do reflections and so on.

ROMAN HOTELThe hotel was rather creepy, it look completely freaky and old! Like ancient to the max. Remember that the the Leaders made a Room Allocation List? Wells, I was suppose to sleep with Mai & Kartini then Mr M changed it to Kartini & Alphonsine (he has REASONS).

The rest has to sleep in twos since there is only 1 room that can take 3 people. So I guess 3 of us are lucky right? Think again! Hehehe. I shall tell you why later on. Hmm. Where was I? Oh yes. The reflections, one of the things that I admire about Mr M is his 'wisdom'. He is so good when it comes to reflections and de-briefing, You see yourself in a different light. Hmm. Here's what he said on that night (wells, part of it since I can't remember them right now).

He first asked us about our day, what we did and so on. After which, we touched on about the Colosseum. Imagine if we are able to make our own Colosseum in AES? Imagine the dancers performing in that Colosseum? Which part of the school should we put it? How can we make the whole Assumption watch us perform? Better yet, the public too! We can use this lil Colosseum as a tool to INSPIRE people. Get it?
And then I thought to myself, where is the best view in school? Where everyone can see us? THEN EUREKAAA! Why not in the CUPOLA! Mr M agreed to my suggestion. Cupola is the best place especially since it has these level seats just like the Colosseum. So the next question was: HOW DO YOU MAKE IT A STAGE?

So of course my dear readers, that was our homework to be completed by domani (tomorrow). Hehehe. So here's how I am going to change that Cupola into a stage where everyone will be inpired! Gosh, I am being a drama now. ^^

The floors can be covered with dance mats (for dancers to dance on).
Black Curtain to hide the background.
Spotlights positioned on the 2nd or 3rd level (at the edge of the railings).
And of course the PA SYSTEM (music).

if you want to know more, just talk to me.

Ohs some other reflective questions that Mr M asked us were: What have you learnt How do you apply it in school What are the possible steps?

Oh yes, after that we all headed to our individual rooms.
Another info: Their lifts areeee soooooo narrow! Hahaha. We can
only take like 3 people? Haha. Then the funny thing is that our room is 707
& the buttons are till 06! WHAAAT?

Hahaha. Apparently, we have to go to level 6 & then climb the stairs! Haha. I know I know. Off we go to our rooms. So are you ready why I was rather sarcastic ABOUT us being lucky? Hehehe.

Reason 01: We did have 3 beds but one bed is like on the other side of the room! Haha. We couldn't use it since three of us are scared to sleep alone in this old Roman Hotel. ^^ Three of us have to sleep in the remaining 2 beds! Haha. Poor Alphonsine was in the middle, & there was a hole in between the beds! D:

Reason 02: We couldn't find where the heater is! HAHA. So we have to bathe in FREEZING COLD water! Hahaha. Seriously. It's like no where to be seen. Instead of making me feel sleepy after the bathe, it made me wide awake! FREDOOO FREEEDOOO (cold in Italian).

Reason 03: The TV shows are all in Italian! Hahaha. Didn't understand anything at all, no entertainment other than Kartini's dancing and Alphonsine's stories! HEHEHE.

Reason 04: We left the entire room's lights on cause amore Kartini is scared to sleep in the dark and the lamp's light isn't enough for her. Hahaha. But I ain't whining. lol? So cuteee, reminds me of Nana! :P

Reason 05: okay, I can't find of anything else. Hahah.

Lights out was 10pm but of course, we didn't really sleep that early! Hehe. Alphonsine has this weird routine of eating chips before sleeping so we munched on Kartini's chips and talked! The funny part was that, we fell asleep while talking! Hahahaha.

And then dear readers, my 2nd day ended just like that!
Can I just say that I love ROMA so much. Such a Beautiful
country, don't you think?! And we are spending 2days here!

I should be off then cause I still have lots of entries to type and post.
Don't forget to comment okay? Gratziiieee.

xoxoxo, Dianne Mae

ps/ did you know that we had to do 30 push-ups (punishment) and we still owe Mr M quite a lot of it. anyways, we did it in the hotel (lobby!) totally embarrassing! hahaha. The guests were there watching us and some Italian kids. Sigh.

pps/ every single time I eat and see something amazing, I would think: I wish my family was here! Seriously, I miss them. I promise that I will bring them in Italy one day! Gotta study hard then :)

ppps/ ATIKA BOUGHT GELATOOOOO! Freaking nice can, freaking delicious! Best dessert ever. Hehehehe. Shall buy tomorrow! I do not care at all. Hehe

Italian Lunch Colosseum The Roman Forum
Trevi Fountain Chinese Dinner ♥




Foreign Land
As I set foot on the airport in Rome, also known as Roma, I kept smiling to myself.
It felt real now, with the cold wind blowing in my face and the sight of a different airport.
I wanted to run and jump and scream as excitement finally washed over me.
From where we were dropped off, we had to take a spacious, funny-looking bus to the terminal to pick up our luggages.
I looked around me and realised that the bus was pretty full and we took up nearly half the bus! =P


Then I saw the people. I was used to seeing their kind in local tourists spots but now I saw them EVERYWHERE! It was like I had switched roles and played the tourist instead..
I have never been a tourist out of Asia and felt a sense of unfamiliarity, insecurity and ignorance. I was just glad I wasn't alone.  =)


ITALIA! Live!
The people, the buildings, the roads, the transports, the trees, the weather, the history.
I've only experienced these in books, in movies, in TV and all.
But now, I was in it and it wasn't just a dream, neither a fig of my imagination anymore.
I was experiencing it LIVE.


EVERGREEN Roma!
Riding the streets of Roma,
A sea of green flashing past
from a variety of trees
that remain evergreen
Even during the snow, white winter.


The Italians & Us
At a glance, they seemed a different kind - skin colour, accent, features and all.
But looking at the bigger picture, I found that we were similar -
all trying to keep warm, the facial expressions we put on our faces, doing the things we do in our daily lives..


As we walked through the same streets of Italia, but going to different destinations,
we 'ciao'ed and smiled and waved as we crossed paths.  =>


Our first Italian meal!
Lasagne, chicken and salad with italian dressing and lemon sorbet! Yum, so authentic..
The restaurant itself had a lovely, romantic ambience to it.
Seeing how classy the restaurant was, we adopted table-manners!
No elbows on the table, chewing with your mouth closed, not talking with your mouth full and blah-blah-blah. It was rather fun practicing table etiquette.
With nice ambience, delizioso food and a full tummy, we set off to the next stop...


The Roman Colosseum
A sight to behold...
It's size? GI-NORMOUS!
According to the tour-guide:
-Took 8years to build
-Built by slaves
-Has been there for centuries
-Previously used for animal hunts, gladiator fights and religious purpose
-Part of the 7 wonders of the modern world


It was cool knowing that we were steppin on such a historical monument. The very same ground on which really old and long history happened. You hardly get to see such old buildings here as Singapore is still very young and does not have so much history within.
Come to think of it, i'm glad we don't have centuries of history in our country.
Every History class, our bags would probably weigh a ton of bricks!
And for people who do not really have such trained memory like me, would probably fail history badly.


Roman Forum
We had also gone to see the Roman Forum that day...
-Birthplace of Roman culture
-Was the politic, commercial and religious place of Rome
-Situated between the Palatino and the Campidoglio


It was a day of visiting the past indeed...


Trevi Fountain
Before we got to the Trevi fountain, it was already dark.
However, when I checked my watch it was only barely past 5pm!
I found out that it was so over here.hmm..another feature that's different from back home.
It was so cool that I got a chance to see the fountain!
I've seen it in 'The Lizzie Mcguire Movie' but I never thought i'd actually see it for myself!
Seeing it on TV somehow makes it seem even more significant than any other fountain.
It's said that you can make a wish or wish to return to Roma if you toss a coin in...
Sadly, I did not get a chance to throw in a coin or two. I only had notes with me. =/
So after we were done with souvenir shopping and wishing to be contented at the fountain,
we headed off to a chinese restaurant for dinner.
I really liked the sense of familiarity that I felt when I entered...
As the Chinese lady opened the door, I greeted her in Chinese.
It's in me, chinese blood.heheh, finally something not so alien to me. =P


Hotel CREEPY (in Roma)
Roomate: Sheryl
Our room was isolated right in the corner, separated from the row of other rooms with two threatening doors.
What rotten luck. If those doors were locked from the other side, we would have been trapped in! =S
At least we were only there for two nights.

Long bus rides =D

First Italian dining in Italy

@ the Colosseo

Trevi fountain

The old, creepy hotel

Stay tune for Maryanne's day03!

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DAY 2 BABY.

aite, so we reached Amsterdam and IT WAS SNOWING. YES IT WAS. we were all so swaku and pressing our hands and faces against the window pane like some mentally challenged kids. HAHA. I mean, it IS our first time seeing snow. it was cool. \m/
anyway, we got on another smaller plane to Rome. loved the caramel cookie they gave <3
Reached Rome and we went for our first lunch in Italia. The lasagne was awesome.
Visited only the exterior of Colosseum, it was huge and it looks really roman-ish and i was thinking to myself like, "woah, i can't believe the colloseum is right in front of me"
Roman forum was coooool, omg the feeling of just standing there is indescribable. too cool, too cool. :)

Chinese for dinner and then headed to our hotel. Oh gosh it was creeepy. :/ the walkway is soooo narrow and you have to walk a long way to the rooms! :/ Mai and I was so freaked out u_u

Nonetheless, we had a good night after a long day :)

xx,nicole
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Day 2 (i think)

We reached rome, after the 12 hours flight. Began with a scrumptious lunch at one of the restaurants. We had the classic Italian pasta, other dishes such as lasagna and such. We made a move to Roman Collosuem, to learn about its history. I thought the architectural ideas and designs given the limited technology, was amazing. And the history behind its building, the story, the symbols, the richness of the city is just breathtaking.

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant, as part of the deal. We were given two types of variety to eat from for the whole trip, which was actually fine with me. The Chinese and the Italian. Besides that i would further share with you our taste buds that couldnt forget the taste of gelato. We finally checked in our hotel rooms with our assigned partners, after the tiring day.

-farliana ghani(4/5)' 2010

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Day 2
We took our first bus ride and stepped into the streets of Rome. The weather was nice, it felt like you were in an air-conditioned room, it wasn't too cold for me. We were hyped up and continuously said "Ciao!" everywhere we went to everyone we see, and suprisingly, the people do reply or respond back! With that, the "Ciao!" frenzy continued throughout the whole journey. We took our first bus ride and ate a scrumptious Italian lunch and of course, took in all the scenery being displayed. It is really beautiful the streets of Rome, and the irony is that its beautiful by its own, with the run down building all side by side in a row, the orange leaves of the trees falling everywhere, the graffity vandalism, vespas and Italian men and woman smoking everywhere.

 

  After lunch, we headed to the Colloseum with our new Italian tour guide but unfortunately, it was closed when we reached there and we couldn't go inside it. So, instead of wasting time, our tour guide explained to us about the history of the beautiful Roman Colloseum and we took many group photos there.

 After that, we went for a short shopping trip in the Rome Streets and had Chinese dinner. My roommate for the night was Kim Sarah and suprisingly, we went along well although I wasn't that close to her. The hotel we stayed in for 2 nights actually jsut gives me the creeps because of its old vintage concept with red carpet floors and antique wallpaper. Even the lift was slow and cramped. I had to bathe in the night with the toilet door slightly ajar so that I could still hear Kimmie around and know that I wasn't alone. Scaredy cat much! Hahahaha

Atika, 3/1 2010