The Forum

May 31 - Thursday –Bring bag lunch.  When in Rome, do as the Romans, therefore we are going to have late lunches.  We expect to complete this day about 3:00 p.m.

The three main architecture in the Forum is the Basilica, Trimphal and the temples. Today was a very hot day and I had the best luck ever because a pigeon pooped on me!! I was really not bother at that moment but now I do dislike them and it will take time to begin to like them. 

I was happy to have sandwiches to eat at the archeological sites especially because it was Italian bread but after this class I was really hungry that I just felt to eat a huge pizza and wine! We walked the Via Sacra, which is a reconstruction site to actually see a resemblance of how Romans lived. Some of the news was that we were going to the Basilica of St. Peter's on Saturday. I knew that his caught my attention because I was interested in going to the Vatican City. 

The Forum in Rome is considered the heart of the city and it was also the political heart of Rome. The senate's meeting point is where people consider very important to meet. This site was quite scary, I honestly do not know why but I felt something strange. It was like Roman spirits were walking and guarding their territory. 

There were several presentations today, such as the Senate House, Julius Caesar and the temple of Divus Julius, Temple of Vesta, Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Triumphal Arch. The Senate House, Curia Julia began in 44 BCE by Julius Caesar and Julius Caesar was murdered in the Senate before they finished the Curia and Augustus finished the Curia in 15 years. One of the quotes that caught my attention was from Julius Caesar he said, "Non Rex Sum Sed Caesar" the translation is "I'm not king, but I'm Caesar" This can probably tell us that he was an ambitious emperor and demanded respect and loyalty. The Temple of Vesta was where maidens were chosen and they were chosen around the ages of 6 to 10. They had to have 30 years of celibacy and all those 30 years of their life were separated by three parts. The first part was 10 years of learning the duties of the vestals, the second part was to be entitled 10 years of performing duties and the last part was that it was required for senior vestal to teach the new comers. 

May 30, 2012- Largo Argentina

Today we met at the lobby at 9:00 a.m. and I was quite scared for being late because I did not want Dr. Weber leave me by myself at the hotel. We then walked a lot to get to our destination, which was Largo de Argentina. There were a lot of stairs and walking to do. 

This is the first time I wrote in my journal and they told us to write what we see. The question was what do you see in Area Sacra Di Largo Argentina. I see ruins some well all the archeological site is covered of ruins and grass. There were 8 trees and a lot of cats. There are some material like if it is going thru a renewal or construction. There are broken pillars on the sides of the archeological site. In the middle of this site there is a circle with pillars all over the circle except on the front. There are stairs to go up  that it seems that it is an important thing for Roman. It makes me think like it is a place where they used to gather around and discuss important themes. In Largo de Argentina archeologists digged out from the site and studied the stones, dirt, and whatever else they founded. 

One of my observations is that the level of the floor is not the same as our floor where we are walking. Another observation was that at the front of the archeological site it said, "Area Sorvegliata da telecamera vietato abbandonare i gatti. Assessinato alle politche culturali sovrantenderia capitolina" I was amazed that I actually did understand what it was written in Italian. Spanish and Italian are very similar. The weather was very good, it was like 75 degrees Farenheit. 

After Largo de Argentina we went to a museum and our task was to describe a theme of the assigned room and give a group presentation of it to the whole group. My theme assigned was the Fora in the early middle ages, what I saw was private houses back from the 9th and 10th century that were built at the Trojan Forum. This residence was very advanced and it was a big residence as well. The houses for the wealthy people were made out of Tufa blocks and bricks they included open spaces, stables, warehouses, wells, and sometimes-small baths and oratories. People that were poor had houses found in Caesar's Forum made out of clay, wood and their foundations were made out of used bricks. 

The last picture here is the one I took of an interesting men. He had a very cultural and tranquil aspect and made me look at him and observe him while we were in class. I have noticed that I enjoy observing people and it is more interesting when you get the chance of observing Italians. One of the questions that arose to me while looking at this men was how did Italians live their life, what did they think about life and how did it differentiate from us. 

28 May- Monday Departure.

Depart El Paso.  Arrive in Rome in groups. Transport arranged from Leonardo da Vinci Aeroporto to Villa Maria. (this is what our class syllabus said)

That night before the trip I did not sleep well because I was quite nervous and slept late getting ready for the trip. In the morning there was chaos with the cars and commuting to the airport because all of my family wanted to go to the airport and say goodbye so my dad and I went together to the airport but we also went to pick up Andrea and Michelle at the dorms. We arrived to the airport at 6:00 a.m. to make sure not to miss our flight and to be there two hours before because it was an international flight.  Once I got to the airport I saw my boyfriend waiting for me and I was really excited to see him there to wish me a good trip! 

We were really worried that not all the group members would make it because we waited a lot for them but they eventually got there and we were so excited to travel! I took a few pictures from my friends...

Then Andrea didn't wanna take a picture! LOL

The flight was very exhausted! From El Paso we went to Phoenix in a super tiny airplane I then realized how bad our economy is! From Phoenix we went to Charlotte and that was a decent flight because I slept and watched a movie. When we go to Charlotte we had to run to the assigned gate so we would miss our flight and then the flight was very very long.. it seemed it never ended! At the airplane they had a map of our specific location while up at the air and I took a few pictures of those. We were so close to Africa!!  

We are finally in Italy!! All of us were very tired jetlagged but we were super excited to be there! So we got to the hotel and Andrea and I decided to sleep a little and then wake up and went for a walk and sleep again to begin our next day at 9:00 a.m.! Then the journey begins...

The first time I heard about this Maymester class I was very interested in joining because I knew that it was going to be a very important experience in my life and career. I immediately e-mailed Dr. Weber and asked for the requirements and I then decided to join this group and I right away went to the academics bldg. and deposited the money to reserve my spot. I was interested on having class on archeological sites and museums to get a deeper understanding each site’s importance and that meant I was going to another country Italy! From there I was quite excited and happy to see what would be next. I highly recommend this course to anyone that is willing to go to a country that their language is not English and that roman history and art is their interest.