Mercato e Jazz

Yesterday, after attending Temple's workshop for wireless internets, I finally experienced an aspect of Italian life that I have been anticipating for a while: il mercato! It is exactly what anyone who has watched the Travel Channel would expect it to be, complete with meat, produce, pasta, bread, seafood, and luggage stands. Yes, there is quite a variety of items at the market. In my attempts to live like an Italian, I decided to buy only the food for my dinner. I purchased gnocchi per uno, many arance, and cavolfiore. I'm not sure if that is exactly the right word for what I bought, but it is some sort of Italian vegetable that seems like a mix between cauliflower and broccoli, except it has spiky spirally sprouts. Very exciting.
Once that was done, I took a long nap, then woke up and went to a discussion on Italian life and traveling, again sponsored by Temple. The talk proved interesting, for Profesor Ponce de Leon and Gianni highlighted aspects of Italian culture-drinking, personal space, lines, etc.- that we may not have been familiar with. The talk lasted until a little after nine, so a bunch of us went to a Tratteria off of Via del Corso for dinner. While I only got ravioli with riccota e spinaci, Adam showed his most adventurous side by ordering Ox tail. Way to be, brother.
We took the metro from Flamincio to Cipro, rested a bit, then went to a jazz club down the street from our residence. It was very nice to just relax and do something different from what I would have done in the states. Not to sound like d-bag, but the jazz that they played sounded like all other jazz that I've heard. I find this comforting in that, while immersed in a completely different culture, some things, like music, have a universal quality that can soothe and unite people from all walks of life. The atmosphere of the place really spoke to me, as I said, so I will definitely be returning.
Today is "Permit to Stay" day, a wonderful two hour event in which we fill out documents and pay the Italian government to allow us to stay in their country. However, I think I will try to explore St. Peter's Square a bit before I go.
Pictures to come soon- I promise.