Today was an awesome day! First off, I love Rome! I didn't think I would like it as much as I did, but I am for sure in love! Okay first thing. We got up and attempt to get ready. We had to check out of our first room and move into another one. The other girls didn't, so we just moved our stuff into their room. Breakfast was included, and little did we know that it would be brought to our room on a tray. It was a tad bit pathetic for breakfast, but it was fun.
First thing we did was head toward the Vatican City. We took the A line in and got off at the stop by the Vatican. We were trying to go straight to the Sistine Chapel, but we didn't really know where that was, so we headed to where we thought it would be. That was not it, but we found the Basilica, which I think was even more amazing. I had no idea how grand and beautiful it was be. It didn't seem that high compared to other cathedrals we had seen, but when you compared it to the people , I finally realized that it was huge! There were many domes and the art work was amazing.
We went down into the tomb of the popes. There was nothing really big there, but the last popes tomb is there and there were a few people who were kneeling down to pray by tomb. It was kind of cool to see people so dedicated and reverencing a man that they feel is important.
Martha and Trisha asked and found out that the Chapel was in the Vatican Museum. We wound our way around the museum that seemed to take a year. I was surprised how much how hard it was to get to. I just thought it would be more like a huge church on its own, but it was just another room in the museum. As I finally was about to step into the room, I was breathless. It really felt like I had the wind knocked out of me.
It was not at all what I expected. It was just tons of little pictures. The painting was amazing though. It looked 3D. Sometimes Ally and I would just stare at a part and try to figure out if it was all flat. I was the most amazing art I think I have ever seen. Nothing like I had expected, but the angles and details brought it completely off the wall.
It was about noon when we finally left the museum and it was time for lunch. As we walked out there was a man handing out little flyers for a restaurant. Usually we just pass all these people by, but we figured we might as well look. We decided that the price was right and it was pretty close. I had my first taste of true Italian Gnocchi. I think that Martizio's in Morgan Hill is better than the stuff I had today. It was fun to have it in Italy though.
We walked to the castle of some sort that was on the way back to Rome. We weren't going to go in, but we could get in free because we bought the 'Roma Pass' this morning. It gives us free transportation for three days and two free entrances to a museum(including the Colosseum).
The castle was just cool because there was a view of the Vatican and a view of Rome. It was cool to look out and see all of the places in Rome that we hadn't seen yet, but I could see the tops of them. There was a little map that said what all the buildings were that we could see. I got my first glimpse of the Pantheon and the Colosseum.
Cool side notes here:
1. I was walking down the stairs of the castle and trying to convince Martha to seize the day on something and I was going to say when in Rome, but abride the city (I usually just say when in Paris) but I didn't have to!!! It was the coolest! When in Rome!!! I said it in Rome and totally meant it!
2. Ally is the most amazing barterer! She wanted a pair of sunglasses because she left hers i Paris and it is super bright her. There was one of those creeper vendor guys who we never talk to who was selling them. We started to look at them and finally Ally tried on a pair she liked. He said they were 15 euros. Ally acted surprised and said Sorry I was looking for 5 euro glasses. He lowered it to 12, then to ten and Ally still said no. She turned and walked away and I quickly followed. It so surprised the other girls that they didn't even follow us for a second. As we started to cross the street he was yelling 'wait okay 5 euros, 5 euros!' So funny! I loved it! I tld Ally that she just grew four feet in my eyes!
We went down and headed to the Spanish Steps. It was so fun to see them! I didn't even think I cared about them, but walking to the steps through the city was the time that I started to get the feel of the city. The Vatican was a great place, but it doesn't have them same feel as the rest of the city.
After the steps we moved off to the Trevi Fountain. This was the part of Rome that I was the most excited for. I'm no really sure why though. I think I just really like fountains. This one was even better because it had architecture, sculptures and water. What could be better. I was a fan.
We all made our wishes into the Trevi Fountain. That was a happy moment for me. I have thought so many times in my life if I could go to the Trevi Fountain and make a wish what would it be. Today I finally decided on one wish and it was a good one. After all the silly ones I had thought of over the years, this was way better. I don't think I will ever regret making that my one wish.
We walked toward the Pantheon, but on our way we got sidetracked to the Victor Emmanuel Monument. It was really pretty and bigger than a lot of the things in Rome. It was on of the big things that I say from the top of the castle, but I didn't really know what it was.
The Pantheon was cool. There was scaffolding covering half of the front of it and some of the other girls were sad/annoyed, but I wasn't. I decided that I was going to just pretend that it wasn't there. When you didn't focus on it, you could really barely see it. I was not going to let construction take one ounce f my joy away. When I was standing right out in front of it before I went in, the phone rang and it was my Mom! What is with my parents calling at the perfect times! Dad on the top of the Eiffel Tower and Mom right in front of the Pantheon.
I loved the Pantheon. It was so cool! There was a whole right in the middle of the dome. How does that even work? It was beautiful. It didn't even seem that old from the inside.
It was just twilight as we left and we decided we would wander through and find a nice place to eat dinner in a square a little while away. We walked through looking for a restaurant. There were all these restaurants and finally we picked one where the guy was really nice. He ended up being our waiter, but what really sold us was the guy playing the violin right by the side walk where the tables were.
It was lovely! The for was so good. Trisha and I split ravioli and a pizza. I also had bruschetta. It was so good! This was the best meal I have had while I have been in Europe and it was so fun because of course all of the waiters loved us. We got to be friends with them and of course they wanted us to go to a club with them that night. At first we were considering going because it was only 7:30 and we didn't feel like it would be so bad. But then they told us they wanted us to come back at 11:30 to go. They said they were friends with the guy who owned the club and they would get us in for free. They said that drinks would be half price.
As I am writing this it sounds like this was a beyond stupid idea and I know that my grandmothers, parents and friends will think that I am really dumb, but these guys were nice. A lot of Italians we have met have been rude, but for some reason tonight al the guys were just loving us. It was fun and we even got one of their names and we are going to be facebook friends. On all my travels so far I have made on random friend that I have added on facebook.
On our way back to the hotel after dinner we stopped at a gelato place with over a hundred flavors. I got 4 scoops for 3.50 euros. I got two scoops of dark chocolate and two of nutella. They were so good! I am such a pig and I have gained a good five pounds in the last three days I am sure, but I will worry about that when NOT in Rome.
We came back, checked into our new room, and of course are totally exhausted. It will be another good day tomorrow. We fly back to Paris around 18h15, and I will be glad to go back, but this is the first trip that I am not wanting to go back. I would love to stay in Rome longer. Good night from Roma!!!
I'm glad you didn't go clubbing! :-) Sounds like a great day in Rome. I want to go some day!
ReplyDelete