A Place to Call Home

Finally, finally, after two long weeks of endless phone calls, countless visits, and hour after hour of waiting in agony for my tiny little Samsung to ring, I have an apartment. It wasn't my first choice, but I am nonetheless extremely happy with the way things turned out. Despite the fact that the other apartment had a GREAT location, the people who live in my apartment seem SO excited to have me as a roommate and are SO nice and friendly. I also would have had to find someone to replace my spot if I had gone with the other apartment. I am also hoping to remain friends with the students that I did meet. When Sara - the girl I have been in contact with about my dream apartment - informed me that they had chosen someone else, she was very apologetic and made sure to tell me that they really liked me and that she was very displeased to have to deliver such news. She also mentioned that her roommates were having a get-together on Wednesday and would love it if I could come. If anything, I have made out with a great apartment, and hopefully a group of new friends. I cannot tell you how relieved I feel at this moment. I am ecstatic. I am moving out of the hotel tomorrow and into my new place at 2:00. It is located in the Northwestern part of the city and is definitely walkable to the university and the center - which is about as good as I could ask for location-wise. It's in the newer/what used to be fascist part of the city, but that means that while the porticci and architecture of the building itself aren't as aesthetically beautiful as some of the older parts of the city, the inside is spacious and beautiful. The stairs leading up to the apartment alone are made of marble, which to be perfectly honest is going to be more of a downfall for me than anything. When I went to visit the place, I must have tripped at least two or three times before we finally made it to the apartment. (And I'm pretty sure it's only 2 or 3 flights up). The inside is older, but it is cozy and has a comfortable feel - just what I need. The two roommates I know best are Francesca and Emiliana and they are some of the sweetest people I have met. I can tell already they are going to take me under their wings and teach me how to cook, help me with my Italian, and turn out to be great roommates. I wish I could offer more details about the place and its inhabitants, but I have seen at least 10 apartments since I went to visit this one, and they are all starting to run together. Rest assured however, pictures will be posted A PRESTO! (Very soon!) I even went to IKEA today to pick up some basics - sheets, comforter, pillows, etc. so I am all set to move in. I have sincerely missed the luxury of having a closet, my own bed, a kitchen, and place that I can come back to after a long day and seek out comfort and relaxation - basic things that a hotel simply cannot provide. I think if anything this experience has re-instilled within me the value of home. It has always been something that I have always had, and in the past I have too often taken this immense luxury for granted. Coping without a true home for these past few weeks has been especially difficult in light of coming down with a pretty severe case of the flu. Mom isn't here to bring me tea or soda while I lay on the couch under my favorite blanket curled up watching a movie. Thankfully, however, I am slowly but surely kicking this flu to the curb, and will have a place that will resemble a home for the next 6 months by tomorrow afternoon. The wait is finally over, and I am regaining my health. Oh yeah, and I am in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I could not be happier.