Rome

Upon our less than ideal arrival, we hit up a near by diner for breakfast, which turned into lunch, as we stayed for a good two and a half hours. The pastries in Italy made up for the teeny tiny coffees (my one qualm with Italian culture). They are to die for. We found a nearby internet cafe, sent emails to our parents, and made our way back to the hostel for a much needed 2 hour nap. After this, Italy is all a blur to me now time wise, so I think it best that I seperate my anecdotes and memories into sights:




Castle of Saint Angelo:
Maybe because it was my first real "sight" in Rome, but the Castle of Saint Angelo will now always hold sentimental value to me. Sitting on the ledge over looking the water, bridge and castle, I spent a lot of time thinking of my Mom mom back home. Before I came to England, Mom mom told me of how she's always wanted to travel around Europe and how I shouldn't take a moment of it for granted; how I should see it for the both of us. I felt (and feel) so incredibly lucky to have the oppertunities I do here. I know I've said it a million times, but I think it's something I need to remind myself of daily. Loads of people die without ever leaving the East Coast; it's humbling even to be able to do this. Every day here has a Carpe Diem feel; I can't get enough of that.

Trevi Fountain:
We made sure to see it lit up at night, and during daylight. There are a few how-to's as far as coin throwing at the Trevi Fountain goes. From what we understood, if you throw one coin into the fountain (always with right hand over left shoulder), it's a wish for a return to Rome. So our first visit to the fountain, I threw one coin. It's also said that if you throw two coins, you're wishing for romance. So our second time, I threw two coins with a certain Australian in mind. More on that later ;)

Colosseum:
Oh, the Colosseum. You know how you'll walk around Boston, or somewhere, and be like 'Cool! That building is 200 years old.'? When you walk around Rome you're like...'Holy crap. This place has been around for AGES.' We're talking BC. If that doesn't give you goosebumps, I don't know what will. Standing in the middle of the Colosseum, where a good 1/2 million gladiators were slaughtered was a little unreal. Even just walking around on the sidewalks of Rome...every where you step there've got to be a hundred stories. We took an epic nap outside the Colosseum on the grass, and later picniced in the same place at sunset. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Palantine Hill:
This was probaby my favorite sight in Rome. A lot of the credit goes to our amazing tour guide, a Scottish guy who I could listen to speak for forever. Again, walking around where Roman emperors once resided was so cool. The remains were few. The place is a skeleton, really; you just let your imagination add flesh. There were orange trees all over Rome- tons on Palantine Hill. For lack of a new adjective, ah!- Beautiful.

Roman Forum:
Would have been cooler if it hadn't followed the awesomeness that was Palantine Hill.

Vatican:
The vatican took all day, and what a great day it was. Everything I saw reminded me of a movie (I hope one day I'll be traveled enough that it will be the other way around). Original works by Michael Angelo himself....unreal. We were told not to take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, but everyone was. You can bet I jumped on that band wagon. Even now, I can't believe I was there.

Saint Peter's Basilica:
Stunning. There was a 'week before Good Friday' buzz as well, which was cool. Yeah. That pope is a big deal ay.

Spanish Steps:
All I really remember of the Spanish Steps was this group of about 50 Spanish students who were dancing, clapping and singing. It was obvious that the crowds found them obnoxious. I found the whole scene endearing. Gotta love patriotism.

Pantheon:
The fact that this place looks as good as it does, this many centuries later baffles me. The grave of Rafael was cool to see. The guy died at 35 from an STD (tisk tisk), but you've got to give him credit for making those 35 years really count.

Whew. I feel like I could never have enough time to write about everything I saw and did, but that's a pretty thorough jist. My last meal in Italy was really memerable. My friends and I were sad about it being our last night together. We discussed how odd it is to share such a huge experience with people you've only really just met, and will maybe never see again. We ate at a local place that our tour guide recommended. On account of it being my last night, and the fact that the entire menu was in Italian, I told the waiter to do all my ordering for me. My only request was that it be something I wouldn't be able to eat in America. He told me had just the thing, and brought out the pizza that the place was named after. It had everything on it- mushrooms, basil, ham, tomato and tuna. Yes, tuna. Turns out it was amazing. Shocker? Not really. Then for dessert he brought me three slices of cake- each more delicious than the last. I wouldn't mind eating Italian food for the remainder of my life.

The next morning it was back to the good old US of A :)
Sigh. What a trip.
Pulling out of the train station, I didn't feel sad at all. There is no way I won't be back someday.