Matera

Ciao! It's been a while,

Last weekend was the first organized trip and we went to Matera, a beautiful little city in the Basilicata region of Italy. It was amazing. The people were all very kind and friendly and the sassi, houses built into the rock cliffs of a large valley, were breath taking.
The peace and quiet of this lovely little place was such a relief from the hustle and bustle of Rome. If/When I return to Italy, there is absolutely no way I won't return to Matera.

The first night that we were there, the entire group toured the sassi and went inside an amazing little old church that was literally a hole in the stone. After, we went out together for dinner and I was lucky enough to get a seat beside our beloved instructor, Antonella, and her friend who was the sweetest, funniest, most spirited woman I've met.
Pictures don't do this place justice, you'll really just have to go see for yourself.

On Monday, back in Rome, we took a class field trip around the city to see the beautiful Caravaggio paintings hanging in various churches. We got to see the entire St. Matthew trio (the calling, martyrdom, and writing the scriptures) as well as the conversion of St. Paul (my favorite) and the martyrdom of St. Peter. They are all much more magnificent in person than in any of the textbooks I've studied. [I freaking love Italy and it's magnificent art]

Then Wednesday we took another field trip to look at many of the works of Bernini including the Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Because I'm not super obsessed with Bernini, this wasn't as exciting for me as the Caravaggio tour (and I would much rather have gone to see the statues in the Palazzo Borghese), but it was pretty fun.
That afternoon I stayed for the second class (which I'm not actually taking) because Antonella had arranged for the two, very sweet, directors of the documentary "Italy Love it or Leave it" to come and talk to us and give us a private screening of their film.
I seriously loved this great little documentary. It gave such a great commentary on the many problems of Italy as well as shows many reasons to love this beautiful country. If you can see it, do.

Official Trailer

I looked at my bank account and died a little bit after realizing how much money I've blown through already. I've bought nearly nothing to take back with me, but apparently the cost of food and the forty bajillion museums, churches, field trips, blah blah blah that I have gone to (and will continue to go to) cost way more than I had ever expected. You cannot imagine my frustration every time I see a "student discount only applicable for EU members" sign. ><
I guess the only thing I can really do (since I refuse to waste the opportunity to experience and see as much as possible while here) is to just turn a blind-ish eye to it until I get home (and then spontaneously combust out of horror).

This weekend I will be staying in Rome again (being too poor to go see Milan) and hopefully knock out most of the last important sights in the city that I want to see.
Unfortunately Friday and Saturday will be made difficult by the bus strikes (wearing my walking shoes =/...). Hopefully, though, I can still be productive.

I'm still excited for the wonderful experiences yet to come, but am starting to miss all of your wonderful familiar faces.
Lots of love <3