Roma, my new Homa

So now we're on day two in Italia.  My mission - find an apartment.  No easy task to say the least, ESPECIALLY when you consider I'm looking to spend 200-300 Euro a month which is pretty much unheard of in a town like this.  Rome is in the center of Italy, and frankly they like to think they are the center of the world (and in a way, they kind of are..).  To give you a notion at the difficulty of the task at hand, Rome is basically New York with a bunch of ancient stuff strewn throughout. It is a HUGE city, with many little suburbs that I know nothing about.  (reminder: I'm trying to find a room in the place, IN A DAY.)  Ok.  So now I meet up with Rocio (after I figure out how to buy a bus ticket) and we venture off to have lunch, etc.  We end up at her apartment and I meet some of her friends (who are wonderful...another post.)

Rocio's place is bit different that I had first imagined.  I thought she was living in a convent- what I told all of you undoubtedly.  No - she lives in a sort of boarding house for girls (and women) run by nuns and in the center of historic Rome.  It's a kind of dorm like situation - there are communal showers, a dining area, a living room, and tow refrigerators who god knows how many people.  There are countless numbers of rooms and many of the girls who stay here are students or working , but some are here just to live.  So, we're sitting in Rocio's room discussing this apartment I was supposed to check out that night.  I find out it's about 30 min. away from the center of Rome, and in not such a great area.  I mean the area is okay, but let's be honest here - I'm a 23 year old female, who doesn't speak Italian well, oh and who's American.  Not a good combo for a semi-shady neighborhood (kind of like south philly i'm told..).  Anyway, It dawns on us to find out if there is a free room here, in the boarding house.  So, we trot downstairs and sure enough there is a room until the end of September. And VOILA!  My new home!  I'm in the same building as Rocio and my roommate Antonella is FABULOUS and from Sicily.  Apparently if I can understand her, I can understand anyone.

It's quiet and comfortable and safe.  To find a room in the center of Rome with my budget that is clean and safe is just unheard of.  On top of that, to find it in ONE DAY is unbelievable.  God has placed me in a safe hands here in Rome, and if this isn't a testimony to that, I don't know what is.  It is truly an amazing blessing, and although I will have to find a place in October, I am so thankful that I am secure for now.

Oh. did I mention the Pantheon is around the corner? yeah.  it is.