Juya and Thais Romancing Ostia

So, we finished the background classes, a combo of economics, mathematics and statistics. As usual, mathematics bled me dry. Statistics on the other hand was very exciting, and it was not just because of the charming mazziotta (oh, it helped!). Economics on the other hand was potentially interesting, I just wish we had more time to devote to this.

Wish granted, we will be starting the first module at school - development economics on Wednesday. There will be lessons on microeconomics, macroeconomics, environment & poverty, institutions & development, international economics, foreign debt...and examinations. Calling on my economics Gurus for assistance!

But for now, we have 5 days of no classes.

Thais said, "Oh, we must, we must, we must leave Rome this weekend, or I will surely soon perish in this insanity. The advantage of this trip will be entirely yours. I am determined to change your mind if you insist on rusticating." (can you tell I have been watching Jane Austen? :P). Since we had only one day free - italian classes for Thais on monday - we chose to do a day trip to Ostia Antica and the excavation site, and Ostia and the beach. We decided to take the boat down Tiber to Ostia as it looks like it was going to be sunny, which takes 2 hours, and later come back by the metro.

Thais and I spent 4 hours walking around the ancient ground, before heading to the beach just in time for the sunset and dinner, then home, tired and happy. But not before we were distracted by and stopped at a local amusement park.

The captain worked at sea for 36 years before retiring to the river boat. He's been to Melaka and has a son in the engineering faculty at Rome Tre. Dont know why I had that last piece of information ;)

Ostia Antica (Latin: mouth 'ostium') which sits at the ancient mouth (siltation in the last centuries have pushed the ancient city 3 kilometers from the mouth of Tiber) of Tiber River that runs through Rome ancient and modern, is about 22 km from Rome. So far two third of the real city has been excavated.

It used to be the harbour city for Rome in the 4th century BC - its inhabitant at one point peaked at 75,000 - until 9th century AD when it was abandoned due to the repeated invasions and sackings by Arab pirates. Romans then used the bricks and marble from the abandoned city to build various buildings in the area and even farther. It was said that the leaning tower of Pisa is built entirely from bricks of Ostia.

Thais had this great idea of climbing on the walls to get better access to some of the more overgrown areas....until we realised that we have a slight fear of the heights.

Some of the mozaik that survived the centuries. Even then, they knew men were supposed to give us things (in supik) and we women sit with our curvy thighs and lopsided breasts and smell the flowers :)) Go for shorter men as they will fly like the wind to please you

some of the current inhabitants!

somehow all the marble carvings of men seem to have lost their....well, gems.

the gem of the site (me thinks!) - the teatro.

Ostia - or Ostia Lido/Lido di Roma - is the summer destination for many Romans, only 3 kilometers from the excavation site. It was sleepy when we were there but apparently summer at the Lido can be very busy. At the beach, it was molto fredo! in the sky were the wind surfing parachutes.

the sunset.

We were on the way to the metro station when we saw the amusement park and thought, "Why not!"

We tried the very tame roller coaster....

...and the amazing trampoline (a.k.a rebound-tumbling facility). It was my first time and boy, was it a lot of fun! I couldnt stop laughing and was totally bushed by the time our 10 minutes were up.

It was a good day. A short, simple and sweet break. Now to the books!

All photos published by The Treedweller. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use it, drop a line to thetreedweller@gmail.com.

Grocery Bills October 2008

Thais and I share the bills for the groceries. We try to cook and eat at home as much as we can as eating out costs quite a bit more than if we cook. I have no problem with that as I love cooking for us (and Kailash sometimes).

Yesterday, we did the calculations of the money we spent for groceries for October and are happy to report that between Thais and I, we spent EUR80.80 for groceries for the month :) that's way less than the EUR100 I budgetted. I think with care, we can make it at EUR50 per month per person for groceries. I think we both deserve a gelato!

Now, if only I can cut down the OTHER spending....hmmm...

All photos published by The Treedweller. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use it, drop a line to thetreedweller@gmail.com.

Juya and Azwa Romancing Rome

I was up before the second ring, switched the phone alarm off before it too wake Thais up, and jumped off the bed onto the cold floor. Searched for the slippers in the dark, cringed when the creaking of the door seemed too loud in the silence of the dawn, I shivered when the freezing tap water touched my face.

Yesterday was an important day. True, I was excited at the prospect of getting my rice cooker because I have been eating porridge a lot lately. True, I was looking forward to more authentic Italian cooking with the guidance of the Italian cook book the Danes gave me. But more importantly, Azwa was coming to town and I get to play tourist for half a day!

Azwa and I came a long way - we went to TKC together. At 13, her bunk was 5 steps away from mine. At 15, I accompanied her to Subang airport from school in Seremban on her way back to her hometown when her mother passed away. At 17, we parted company after 5 year of living and learning together. And in between, we navigated the path and minefields to adulthood together. Yesterday, she transitted in Rome from Algeria on the way home. 3 hours to kill in Rome.

So, what would people do if they have 3 hours to kill in Rome?

Colosseum and Trevi, of course! And on the way, we saw the Arch of Tito, Foro di Cesare, monument of Vittorio Emmanuele II and palatino in the distance.

With my coursemates, i have had to play the resident. They are too cool to be tourists in Rome. With Azwa, I was a tourist, right from the continuous photo taking to the crazy poses. Yes, when in Rome, do as the Asian tourists do (minus the peace sign, PLEASE!)

The Arch of Constantine.

It was just Azwa's luck, the sun was out in full force at 8 am (amazing for end of October!), blue skies abound, no one around because it was a little too early. We got Colosseo to ourselves!

Excavation still in process.

Azwa taking pictures of naked men.

Trevi at first sight, nestled in the middle of the city, at a convergence of three streets (Tre = Three, Vie = street). The fountain felt like it was hemmed in by all the buildings around it, but oh, how i love the Trevi. Like the colosseo, I have been delaying the pleasure of seeing and photographing, reserving it for special occassion. Trevi is as romantic in real life as it was in the old films!

Azwa tunjuk apa tu, wa? :))

Azwa kat mana, wa? Korea ke Taiwan ke Jepun? I thought your Japan trip will be sometime next week? :P

The compulsory photo :D

There's a superstition that says if you throw a coin (or three, according to some) with your right hand over your left shoulder, you will either return to Rome or find true love (you pick which one floats your boat). And who loves superstitions more than Asians? This is me doing the compulsory coin toss. If you look closely, Azwa caught on film the 10 Malaysian sen coin as it was falling into the water.

When asked if she would like to toss one of her own, she said, "buat apa? buat tambah pening kepala." (whatever for? it's just going to add to my headache), refering to love as she is married and all. Apparently she already had a way of making sure she'll be back to Rome ;) Kan, Azwa?

To those who just thought "Suckers!", the money (estimated at EUR3k daily) is collected at night and used to subsidise a supermarket for the needy. What better cause, huh, true love and charity?

"You cannot come to Rome and not have pizza or Gelato," I said to Azwa. "Which one do you want for breakfast?" She replied, "Why not both?" I quickly agreed!

Tough decision, this. Which flavour to choose? There are about 30 here!

We settled on Cafe & Choc Chip, and Tiramisu & Nutella!

Azwa and 2 Italian mamats.

Fare thee well, friend. We'll meet again, soon :)

All photos published by The Treedweller. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use it, drop a line to thetreedweller@gmail.com.