Adventus
Adventus is Latin for arrival. It gives us the name for the Christian season of preparation before Christmas, Advent. You might have seen secular advent calendars with chocolate or other goodies that count down from December 1 to 24. In Roman art the term adventus is used to describe scenes where the emperor arrives at a new city for an official visit. Below the Emperor Constantine is welcomed by the personification of the city, Roma; Victoria flies above. We’ll see this panel when we visit his Arch later in the trip.
Readings
Introductions to Claridge and Alive! and CultureSmart!, chapter 6 and 5, and review chapter 2 if you missed it yesterday, particularly the section on the Church and campanilismo and Piazza. Pay particular attention to housing and shoppings sections in chapter 5 and food and drink and eating out sections of CultureSmart! in chapter 6. You may also want to skim chapter 3 for sections relating to Behavior in Church and other attitudes towards religion.
Logistics
Meet Prof. Yarrow at Airport after Border Control, Baggage Claim, and Customs*
Train to Roma Trastevere (27 minute ride on regional rail – always validate your ticket before boarding!)
Meet Shea our local liaison at train station, along with a couple of her colleagues**
Walk or transfer to apartments depending on distance
Orientation to apartments and expectations with Property Manager(s)
Leave luggage, Freshen up
5.30 pm – meet Professor Yarrow, see Group Chat for Meeting Point
Google Earth Map with neighborhood landmarks including supermarkets, ATMs, left luggage
You’ll be able to buy some basics, but we’ll do most of our shopping tomorrow morning at a traditional street market. Your instructor will update the local shopping guidelines right before your arrival, after she’s done her own scouting. We’ll discuss how to visit churches should you wish to do so on your own, the culture of passeggiata, and provide an opportunity to get a gelato.
Dinner 7 pm at Osteria Il Matto
The most important thing is not to fall asleep too soon. You should push through to at least 9 pm and even better try to make it to 10 pm. You will feel out of time, foggy minded, and perhaps even physically off-balance. Some students find themselves feeling more emotional. Be gentle with yourself; stay kind and reassuring to each other. The fatigue is real, but the push through will make all future days easier and more rewarding.
Supplementary Materials
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Blog Prompt
What did you see on your journey from the airport to your accommodation? Keep your eyes open and reflect on ways modern and ancient intertwine. Did anything you learned in CultureSmart! come true for you in your logistical interactions along the way? What is your strongest taste or scent memory of today? Why? Did anything today remind you of life in NYC what was the most familiar part of the day?
Gallery
Rome via Brooklyn 