Well, it's warm now. In fact, on certain days one might even venture to say hot. The black stockings seem to have vanished overnight, and the men don't wear their ties anymore (maybe they put them on when they get to work, I'm not sure). It's been nice to be able to release my inner california girl; I feel much more like myself in my cutoffs and flip-flops, and I've even got some color on my previously pinkish white arms and shoulders now. People seem to make the most out of the sun here, and while this usually leads to cute sundresses and things, some questionable fashion choices have definitely been made. I mean, it's only in the seventies. Do you really need to walk around shirtless? Are the manpris really necessary? Does your skirt really need to be that short? I don't think so. Also unnecessary is the announcement on the tube telling you to carry a bottle of water, and to wait until the next stop to seek assistance "if somebody is taken in."

The fact that it's almost summer also means tourists. Tourism used to be limited to the weekends, which was fine by me since I rarely leave my flat on the weekends anyway. But now, every day is tourist day. And what's worse, every place is a tourist place. They no longer limit themselves to the obvious locations. They're everywhere! Stopping dead in the middle of the sidewalk to look at their maps, taking pictures of the most mundane things, looking overly pleased to find themselves on the underground. All I can say is I don't think I will be missing out on much this summer.

I am now totally done with class and have about a month to kill before going home. Mom left yesterday, and Jessie and Denver are currently in Rome, leaving me virtually friendless for the next three days. So far I have spent my first day of summer vacation by sleeping until 2 PM, doing some laundry and cleaning, and watching sex and the city online. Not bad. Let's see what I come up with tomorrow! If it's still sunny I will probably go check out a book from the library that I actually want to read (such a novelty!) and take it to the park.