Welcome Week

I have had a busy two weeks. I returned to university-'Luiss Guido Carli' and also there have been many events planned.

The first event was 'Carnevalone Liberato @ Poggio Mirteto. This is one of the oldest Carnival festivals and dates back to 1861 when the town was freed from the Papal State. It was located up high in the mountains and then included lots of drink, fancy dress, music and a festival atmosphere.

 The following day we went to Ariccia, a little town on the Alban hills for traditional Roman food where they serve 'porchetta'. This meal, as expected included Italian drinking games. Unfortunately the Irish boys on the trip lived up to the stereotype and drank too much!!

I also went to a concert here in Rome-'Two door cinema Club', which are an Irish band. A friend of mine is actually friends with a member of the supporting act so luckily we got put on the guestlist and free entry and drinks! The supporting acts were '1975' and 'Dog is Dead'. I really enjoyed the night, even though I wouldn't usually listen to this particular type of music. The atmosphere was amazing. However the highlight of the night for me was meeting Denis Welch, whose son is the lead singer in '1975'. Obviously nobody recognised her in Rome except for me and so I was lucky enough to have a chat with her.

I have also been eating out a lot in the last two weeks. In Rome it is cheaper to eat out than to cook yourself! The typical 'aperitivo' includes all you can eat plus a cocktail or drink of your choice for just 8 euros.
On Valentines Day, the ESN erasmus group went to 'Fluid' which is a trendy wine and cocktail bar located in the heart of Rome. I went to 'Numbs', which is located near my house(twice) with some friends-Italian, Finnish, Austrian and French! 'Guido', another aperitivo is my favourite one so far. 'Guido' is located in the city centre, but it is hidden and not so often found by tourists. It had a great atmosphere, is always busy and candle-lit. Also they have jazz music and bands on selected nights. I also have paid another visit to one of my favourite bakeries-'Bakery House Roma'. This is an American style bakery with some delicious cupcakes and cakes.

'Guido'-filling our plates!

Cocktails at 'Fluid'

Bakery House

On Tuesday night, I was invited to my friend Sophie's house warming party. A group of us ate together and had some wine. The night ended, as it would in Italy, with a power cut! So we continued the night by candle-light!

Last night I went to the only American style cabaret/burlesque club in Rome.This is the only one of its kind in Rome. I went with my dancer friend Sophie, who usually works along the Champs-Élysées in Paris in a Moulin Rouge type club. She has recently got a job in this club and so we went along to watch the 'Velvet Cabaret' show. We skipped the queue, had front row seats, had free cocktails and went backstage to meet the cast! The were a variety of performers on the night and it was very entertaining.