Monday, June 29th

The Weekend

Hello, everyone. I'm C'havala, your Daily Diary guide for the day. We had a very full first weekend. After a late night of fried fish and limoncello, most people slept in on Saturday. We all got started on lot of reading. The girls in the Campo apartment got restless in the afternoon, so we took a field trip across the Tiber to Trastevere to what is probably the largest grocery store in Rome, roughly the size of a small Safeway! Then, it was back to work. In the evening, we met up with the boys to go back to Trastevere for dinner. After an hour of wandering and Peter's careful ranking of all the restaurants we were passing, we decided we were hungry and desperate, so we stopped and ate at a quaint little corner restaurant. Then, we returned to Giolitti's for some delicious gelato.

On Sunday, we had originally planned to go to the beach, but inclement weather put a kibosh on that one. Instead, everyone woke up early to go to the world's biggest flea market, in Trastevere. There were lots of exciting finds. In the afternoon, it was back to work. Most people ate in on Sunday night. Eating out could get to be a dangerously delicious but expensive addiction. Overall, it was a busy and fun first weekend in Rome together.

Classes

Today was rather an unusual day for us. It was a holiday here in Rome – Saints Peter and Paul Day. The farmers market in the Campo wasn't open, so the morning was a little quieter than usual.

In Mona's class, we discussed interesting examples from Mauss and Strauss. One particular group favorite was Strauss' example on the honorary dinner party, in which “rich” foods, like champagne and caviar are almost always served. These delicacies are a gift from the host, appropriate only for special occasions in which they can be shared. Indeed, eating such luxurious foods typically precedes a nagging feeling of guilt not due entirely to concern for one's delicate waistline.

Next, we discussed theories on the gift by Marx, Hyde, and Simmel. The economics boys were particularly excited about Marx. We learned about fetishism, gratitude, and faithfulness, and got confused (which, Mona assures us, heralds true progress.) When we come home, I expect we'll all be completely stumped about gifts and sacrifice, but we'll also probably be more generous!

In the afternoon, Elroy gave a lovely presentation on the urban renewal work of Pope Sixtus IV (1414-1484). Elroy took us first to the plaque on the corner that we all pass every day but no one ever reads. Now we know a little more about the Campo dei Fiori (Field of Flowers), our home for the next 4 weeks! Sixtus built roads through the Campo to the Vatican, making it a flourishing little square full of city life.

A short walk away is the Ponte Sisto, on of the bridges over the Tiber river. At the Ponte Sisto, Elroy told us about more of Sixtus renewal and renovations, including his work to provide clean drinking water. He also commissioned the bridge to replace one that had been compromised 700 years earlier. Now, it connects us to Trastevere's nightlife and suffers from a persistent and very unpleasant smell.

Alexandra's presentation on Michelangelo's Moses was postponed. We are certainly excited to see it soon. We also hope Lisa feels better soon!

Evening Adventures

The afternoon was spent staying caught up on readings. For dinner, most people decided to eat in again. Some did group cooking. That night, he Campo Girls and the Colosseum Boys met up for an aimless walk to escape our apartments for a bit. Mayme led us to the Trevi Fountain, where we found most of the rest of the class! Then, we headed out for Giolitti's gelato, the most delicious nightcap of which we could think. Mmmm!