Europe Day 21: Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Roma,
Happy Birthday to you!

Today I celebrated Rome's two thousand, seven hundred and sixty-fourth birthday.  Our class went to a performance of the story of Romulus and Remus, who-I think-are supposed to the founders of Rome.  The play was done in what used to be a horse racing track.  It was all in Italian, and we sat in the shade to the side and sort of behind the stage, so it is safe to say I had no idea what was going on for almost the entire time.  Luckily, it was not too long.  If I knew the story better I'm sure it would have been interesting, even with the tacky sound effects.

In the afternoon, I went shopping with Kayla.  I bought a pretty blue dress.  It was a little weird looking for clothes in that cramped little shop and having the lady cover me in accessories so I could see how good it looked.  I can honestly say I dearly miss the spacious stores in America, where the people don't talk to you unless you say you  need help.  Even the street vendors here get in your face, over a five euro pair of sunglasses.  Everyone wants you to buy, buy, buy!  I briefly consider lashing out irrationally, punching my fists in the air and screaming like a four year old, but then I take a deep breath and everything is okay.

I organized my suitcase and did some homework before attending a Maudy Thursday service with Dr. B and Melissa.  I have never attended a Maudy Thursday service.  It was a reverent remembrance of the last supper, especially when Jesus washed the disciples' feet.  As much as I love my church at home, getting a taste of the episopalian perspective is very interesting.  Everything is very ritualistic, and the people stand up, kneel, sit down, and read aloud different parts of the service.  With every service like this I attend, I feel like I go a little deeper into the text, and understand a little more clearly what is happening and how it relates to me.  It is pretty cool.

The bus ride to the church was an adventure in itself.  So many people were on that bus!  Dr. B, Melissa and I looked at each other tentatively, before taking a deep breath and pushing our way in.  I found myself pushed by the mass of people deeper into the bus.  At one point my face was smashed against the ticket dispenser, as a the man behind me leaned forward to grasp the pole so he did not fall over.  Taking the bus is like a hamburger from Red Robin.  Many things go on it in vast quantities, so that it must be heavily smooshed down to fit in your mouth.  The more ingrediants, the more smooshing is required, and yet it all still gets into your mouth some how.  I think I'm like the little piece of pickle that all but disappears between the old men lettuce and beef patty nuns.  Not to mention the ketchup kids, onion women, and mustard tourists. Poor pickle-it can't hardly compete!

I think I need to eat a hamburger tomorrow.  Though what I really want is a chipotle burrito.  Oh yum...my mouth waters at the thought!