“Badass, that’s how I live my life” -J.D. (Spanish Steps Pub Crawl)

So it was our last week, finished 4 finals, and had a day off before our last final. Jordan, Curtis, Laura, and I decided now was our chance to do the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl. For you old folks that don’t know what a pub crawl is, you will know if you fit into this category or not, a pub crawl is when you join a group of people and you go bar hopping throughout the night. In this case, around Rome. Before we left Jordan made a comment that decided his fate for the night, “Badass, that’s how I live my life”. For any of you that know Jordan, which I’m sure is not many, Jordan is a really nice/polite southern kid. Taking that into account, you can understand how funny and untrue that comment must have sounded. You’ll understand later on why I brought this comment up. Anyway, getting there a little after 9, we met our guide at the Spanish Steps where he led us to the first bar. At the first bar, the first hour is free beer and/or wine. In order to get another drink you have to present your emptied bottle/glass. Also at the first bar you are allowed one free shot of your choice. Between the four of us we got Vodka, Tequila, and 2 Rum. Walking into the back room we ran into about 10 other IES students which made the night even better. Jumping from bar to bar, with a free shot at each, we had a chance to relax from the stress of finals and just hang out. It was nice to realize that by the end of this semester, I had made some friends for life and it opened my eyes that Italy could offer more than just sights but also friendship. Having a blast we ended our pub crawl, none of us crawling, at a discoteca (nightclub). Getting late (around 2am), the deafening noise, and seizure causing lights was a sign it was time to go. Jordan and Curtis decided to stay a bit longer (later to realize 5 more mins.) and Laura and I made a long journey back to our apartments. Unfamiliar with the night buses and too cheap and stubborn to take a taxi, Laura and I walked all the way across Rome back to our apartment. Don’t worry, Rome is a safe place and we were in safe atmosphere. (You know this sentence is for you.) Anyway, we made a pit stop for pizza on our journey back. I was later forced to rip in a bathroom door so that my Hunna could go to the bathroom. After living the scene of the crime, Laura and I finally made it back to our apartments. When I got back to my apartment there was a surprise waiting for me. I walk in to find Jordan sitting at his desk in front of his computer passed out in his boxers. I wake him and tell him to go to his bed for fear that he might puke on his computer. Jordan gets up and proceeds to move to his bed just feet away but instead marches out of the room and into the elevator. Realizing too late, he’s already on his way down. I catch him on the second floor (1 floor below our floor) where he is banging on the door of the people that are right below us. I yell at him to get his attention to inform him that its 3 in the morning and that he is banging on a stranger’s door. Finally realizing he follows me up the stairs. He passes out leaning on the railing halfway and only with further persuasion am I able to get him back into our apartment. He goes into the bathroom where I decide that its accomplishment enough to have him in the apartment and call a quits. Exhausted I go to bed leaving Jordan to fend for himself. What a night! The next morning Jordan doesn’t remember any of last night and it’s to my enjoyment that I get to tell his tragic story while he holds his head in his hands with embarrassment. Tonight, the quote would hold true, “Badass, that’s how I live my life”.

P.S. Later, talking with Curtis, did I come to realize that on the way back did Jordan puke in the elevator.

---

---