05.
"I'm not sure what I'll do, but - well, I want to go places and see people. I want my mind to grow. I want to live where things happen on a big scale." | F. Scott Fitzgerald
The past week has been the climax of the ancient tradition of the Roman Carnival. Characters in horse drawn carriages have been parading down the streets, children in costumes have been throwing confetti, lovers of sweets have been stocking up on castagnole or frappe and drinkers have been saving a euro or two on celebratory drink specials. Nonetheless, it's been an exiting week in Rome with the light-hearted and high spirits in the air. In between studying for an Italian midterm, working on project numero due for studio, editing our #CUArchRomeSpring2017 blog and getting workouts in, I've been able to experience a few new places and things...
ARCHITETTURA ISTRUZIONE.
It took nearly 10 years to build the Colosseum. Does it surprise you that it took 10 years to build Zaha Hadid's MAXXI Museum? The MAXXI lies outside of the center of Rome, but it is still located close enough for travelers to easily get to. Zaha Hadid explains that the building itself acts as a fluid piece amongst 'static' Roman architecture. The museum brought a bit of attention with not only it's contemporary architectural design, but also for the fact that it is the first national museum of contemporary art in Italy. On the most facade of the building there are neon lights exhibiting the words of Maurizio Nannucci, "More than meets the eye".
I personally think that these words attached to the facade of the museum is particularly fitting. The permanent MAXXI collection revolves around the masterpieces of 20th century artists and designers. Some interesting short-term exhibitions that we as a class participated in included Please Come Back. The World as Prison? and The Japanese House. Both of these exhibitions were aids to our current studio project that has to do with Urban Infill in Rome.
MUSEI VATICANI.
I had a pretty early morning this past Sunday in order to make it to the Vatican Museums. Luckily, the brisk walk to the Vatican, along with the beautiful sunrise, surely woke me up!
The Vatican Museums house the works of art that have been collected over centuries by past Popes. Think works like the Sistine Chapel and Transfiguration. Interested in the Michelangelo, Raphael or Leonardo di Vinci? Then you have to check this museum out! Unfortunately, photography is a strict no when observing works like the Sistine Chapel, however I got some great shots of the interior decoration of the building itself, which you can see below.
PRO TIP: On the last Sunday of every month the admission fee into this museum (and many others) is actually waived! However, museum hours may be shortened due to the fact that it is Sunday. The Vatican Museum opens at 9AM. A group of friends and I were in line by 7:45AM, just to ensure that we will get in by the 12:30PM cut off. It went pretty smoothly for us and we were past security by 9:30 AM. Once you get in, run to the Sistine Chapel before it becomes too packed for you to move - then go back and enjoy all of the works of art. So my final advice is to get a good nights sleep prior to going, arrive early and dress warm for standing in line and once you get inside, get your exercise for the day by sprinting to the Sistine Chapel.
LA CUCINA.
Sushi in Rome? Well, no one has told me not to... A group of friends and I ventured into a Japanese and Fusion restaurant in Rome that is known as Somo. This is by far one of the most elegant restaurants that I have eaten in, or have even seen, in Rome. It is highly recommended that you make a reservation online before trying to get into this place, since the restaurant opens at 8PM and it completely full 45 minutes later. I can see how it is extremely easy to spend around €60 per person here for dinner, but trust me there are some really tasty economical choices here too for college students who are on a budget.
I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Christina, do you really need to keep trying different flavors of gelato?" The answer is always yes. With every new gelateria that I walk into, I always seem to find a new flavor that I have never even heard of. On top of that, there are a countless amount of ways to mix and match flavors so that you are always trying something new. This week a friend of mine suggested that we try out Frigidarium. Frigidarium takes gelato to a whole new level with adding white or dark chocolate that turns into a candy shell on top of your gelato packed cone or cup. Chocolate covered gelato for €2? Like I said earlier, the answer is always a yes.
CERCHIAMO DI VIAGGIARE.
Be on the look out for some exciting pictures this upcoming weekend as I explore the city of lights, Paris! I'll be sure to post my favorite parts of this mini weekend trip in week 06 post and my TRAVEL page! Have any recommendations for things that I have to do or try in Paris? - Then comment below!
