When in Rome...you try to do and quickly realize it's nowhere near possible. My friends and I boarded the 5:50 train Friday morning and headed to Rome. It was actually my first train ride yet, having taken a plane or bus to everywhere thus far. In my mind I imagined our own cabin with a sliding door, like in Harry Potter, and IT WAS! You probably haven't seen 5 girls so excited to be on a train at 5 am. As we arrived in Rome we checked into our Hostel, Yellow (highly recommend for anyone traveling to Rome), then headed to the Colosseum. We entered the Colosseum and I was in awe of what was surrounding me. To think of everything that had happened in there and now I was able to be in the same place just blows my mind. We made our way from top to bottom before it got too crowded then moved onto the Roman Forums. Each image I have in mind of a destination solely is based off of pictures, movies, or books. With that, each time I see a new attraction I'm amazed by whats in front of me. The Forum was spread out with multiple columns, perfectly placed stones, and small churches. As we walked through the small beaten paths, I could only visualize how it looked thousands of years ago. We trekked to the top where there was a view of the entire area, accompanied by a delightful garden. From seeing orange trees, very large rabbits sunbathing, and even an abandoned bathtub, it was time well spent.
Around 2 we started to make our way to Vatican City for the Penitential Celebration with the Pope. On our way we passed jaw dropping architecture each with the slightest detail to set it apart from others. I don't think I realized just how big Rome was until I had to walk an hour just to get to the next monument. Walking from one place to another we passed multiple sites that I am sure were important, but I could not keep up with all the history of the city. Once we arrived in Vatican City I stood in line for at least 2 hours waiting to see the Pope (read last post to find out all about it!). After mass we headed back to our hostel for dinner and ended up going to bed not long after, exhausted was an understatement.
Saturday morning we toured the Vatican Museum, seeing the Sistine Chapel and more. We grabbed a bite to say at a small cafe outside the Basilica mapping out where to catch the metro and decided to make our last trip to the Spanish Steps. Once again, yet another attraction under construction, but still fun to climb the steps and see the view from atop.
Saturday morning we toured the Vatican Museum, seeing the Sistine Chapel and more. We grabbed a bite to say at a small cafe outside the Basilica mapping out where to catch the metro and decided to make our last trip to the Spanish Steps. Once again, yet another attraction under construction, but still fun to climb the steps and see the view from atop.
I was pleasantly surprised by Rome. I didn't really have too high of expectations, but the warm weather and not too many people compared to what I imagined only helped. Rome was ancient, tropical, and religious all at the same time. If time allows I hope to make it back to Rome, if not this trip then sometime in the future!
I am finishing up mid terms and friday morning bright and early I depart for my 10 day trip to Greece! To say I am excited, thrilled, ecstatic, are all understatements and I can't wait to share my adventures when I return! Arrivederci for now!
Always,
Sam
I am finishing up mid terms and friday morning bright and early I depart for my 10 day trip to Greece! To say I am excited, thrilled, ecstatic, are all understatements and I can't wait to share my adventures when I return! Arrivederci for now!
Always,
Sam