Temple University Athletics
Phil Bartocci Blog: June 10
6.10.08 | Football
Junior Phil Bartocci (Scranton, Pa.) is studying abroad during the first summer session at Temple's campus in Rome. During his time in Italy, the wide receiver will share his adventures (and photos) with Owl fans in a blog each Tuesday.
June 10, 2008
Ciao!
La Dolce Vida ... the term for "The sweet life!" that Romans use which has become famous.
A lot has transpired since the last time I have written, and all together it has ended up being a pretty crazy week. I was getting out of class, and I was about to hit up the metro, which is right at the Piazza del Popolo, and I saw there was a huge crowd of people gathered around. So I decided to check it out. I walked in the gates and to my right was Tom Hanks doing a chase scene with Ron Howard directing him. Talk about crazy! I was watching, in my opinion, the greatest actor of my time. There was Tom Hanks running up a scaffold in the Piazza del Popolo. I quickly asked around and then once I spotted Dan Brown, I put two and two together and realized that they were filming Angels and Demons. For those of you who don't know, Angels and Demons is the prequel to the DaVinci Code (which I think is an amazing book/movie). It was absolutely crazy, and the best part of it all was that it was only the second day of filming of a movie that took place completely in Rome.
As I was watching I quickly worked my way to the front to get a prime time view and some cool pictures of Tom Hanks and Ron Howard. I tried to weasel my way into being an extra, but was told I had come just a little too late. I was just a little bit too "American looking". I kind of took offense until I realized what I was wearing (a cutoff shirt, shorts, sneakers, and a hat), so then I didn't get too upset. However, I did talk to one of the production people, and he told me that if I can get to the set early enough, he will gladly try to get me in as an extra. So it looks like long pants for me! Also, since the man said that the whole movie was basically being filmed in Rome, I had plenty of time to try and be an extra, and that it actually wouldn't be that hard. So, my new goal in Rome: Do absolutely anything I can to:
A. Get in the movie and
B. Meet Tom Hanks, Dan Brown, or Ron Howard.
I think with a little sweet talk and conniving I can get this mission accomplished. Think about how good that publicity would be if I could get a Temple Football shirt to be seen in a multi-million-dollar film!
So, I started my week off like that, and I was very excited to know that I could possibly start off my movie career in Rome. I mean, c'mon, who doesn't want to be a movie star? I'm pretty sure it may be the best job in the world. Just seeing how many times it takes to do a 15-second scene is absolutely insane. It took two hours to do a car scene in which a bunch of policemen drive up to a building and walk out. And at the same time, it is cool to see that even Romans and other people from various countries all wanted to see Tom Hanks. He truly is an international star, and every time he walked onto set, the crowd gave him a round of applause.
Ok, now back to some Italy talk. This past weekend we took a trip to Ventotene, which is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It was a two-hour bus ride south of Rome, followed by a two-hour ferry ride to this little island. This little island was absolutely gorgeous. It's one of those places that really makes you appreciate life when you just gaze at the surroundings.
The weekend included me trying to swim to a rock in the middle of the ocean, which by the way looked much closer than it really was. On my way back from the rock I was stung by a jellyfish. The little guy got me right on the wrist, and now I have this newfound hatred for jellyfish. I made it back in one piece, and we got ready to eat dinner.
While we were on the island we made great friends with two of the Coast Guards, Alfonso and Antonio. They introduced us to Constantino and his father Pietro (who owned the restaurant). With all these O's at the end of their names, I naturally introduced myself as Felipo. These guys were some of the most genuine and most sincere people I have ever met. They took care of us and showed us where to go on this island and because of it; a group of about eight of us had four course meals (including steak, mussels and clams, pasta, and salad) with wine and all the bread in the world for a whopping five euros each. I can only imagine what the bill would have been like if they weren't with us.
The next day we rented boats and started to explore the great Mediterranean Sea. We went out at 11 in the morning and didn't get back until about 6 at night. The whole experience was just so beautiful and relaxing. It was just a very tranquil day. The waves got a little crazy here and there, but all in all it was a great trip. We met up with Alfonso, Antonio, and Constantino, and they took us to the discoteca. I still can't get over the fact that a club here is called a "discoteca". It is just a funny word when you say it.
As I was getting ready to go out, I was trying to look like a true Italian. I had on a polo with some cool plaid shorts. I had my new cool Italian hairdo (which is weird because I haven't had hair in the past two years), and I threw on my beach flip-flops. (Normally flip-flops aren't worn in Italy, but on this island everyone had them on.)
As we were about to leave the island, Alfonso and I made a little trade. He was so intrigued with American football and Temple that he asked if we could trade shirts. He told everyone about Temple Football and reassured me that the whole island, including the Coast Guard, would be our newest fans. He was so excited when I showed him the shirt, and I could tell that, although it was probably a little big for him, he couldn't wait to put it on. He gave me a shirt that said "Ventotene Bella Pe'me" which means "Ventotene is beautiful for me". This gesture was very nice considering he went to the store and bought this for me and for that, I was very appreciative. Right before I left, he told me that he would make sure that he and the whole island would be rooting for us and checking up on us during the season. So it looks like Temple Football has some worldwide fans now!
Suggestions of the week: Go to an island whenever you can. I had never been to an island before, and I just want say that it was some of the most relaxing time of my life. So take some time off to go to an island and take in the surroundings. It really makes you appreciate everything a lot more.
Word of the week: Capisci! (Ka-peesh-EE) This word comes from the verb capire, which means "do you understand?" All my life I have been hearing this phrase and although I was young, I can remember my grandpa Tony saying it. It must have rubbed off on my mom, because she always said it to me. Also, you may have heard it in a variety of different mob movies or shows. I know when Tony Soprano wants to get something done, at the end of his sentence he says, "Capisci?"
So until next week! Ciao!
- Felipo (a.k.a. Phil Bartocci)
