I’ve just finished unpacking. The guy at reception said the residence is half empty, so he gave us a free upgrade. So nice of him – he even remembered our names! This trip is finally looking up. Our new room is MASSIVE! Even Beadle looks a little bit pleased. She let me have the bed next to the window, which let’s face it, is the best spot, all bright and sunny. I think monks or nuns owned this building back in the day because from my bed I can see the inner courtyard and it has a well in the middle like people used to live here. It’s so weird to think these are student halls the rest of the year. Italian students have it pretty good! It’s got a cool east London vibe. There’s vintage stuff in here that’s probably worth some serious bucks: a vintage aquamarine table and two huge twin wooden wardrobes stuffed full of prickly blankets in pastel colours like duck egg and baby pink and chick yellow. And the ceilings are hand-painted and in between the two beds there’s a nook in the wall, with a ceramic statue of the Virgin Mary inside. Beadle said it freaks her out. Obviously. Is there anything in the world that doesn’t freak her out? But I think it’s so beautiful here, the garden in full bloom with peonies and hydrengaes (sp?).

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Just chilling out in the halls of residence after dinner. Trying to digest some of this food before I can go to bed. The good news is: everything they say about Italy is true. I had a massive plate of pasta for four quid and the man called me ‘blondie’ and gave me limoncello on the house. Bad news: dining alone is NO FUN. I had to smoke a lot of cigarettes and pretend to be an American film star to feel OK about it. Beadle said she would join me at the restaurant but she never turned up. When I came back the light was already off though I could tell she had been to the shops, because there was a bag at the foot of her bed with some teabags or sugar in it, I don’t know. Although maybe she brought it from home. She’s totally the kind of person who brings teabags from home when she goes on holiday. My mum does.

Xoxo Ally

P.S. I didn’t text Mike goodnight back. I can do this! I am an ADULT.

18/06/2006

Jesus Christ.

Just got back to our room and I’m fucking EXHAUSTED. Totally worth it though! Today was SO GOOOOOOD.