Well we have walked the entire city of Rome... at least once. We don't necessarily set out to walk for 10 or 11 hours when we leave the hotel in the morning but it just happens. So much to see and do.
Tuesday we went to the Roman Forum which is by the Colosseum. It was amazing to walk around and see where all the Romans "hung out". The Roman Forum was the place where all of the happenings of the day took place, trading, discussing politics... even gladiator fights before the Colosseum was built. There are enormous marble columns and other structures. Amazing how long it's all been around.
We left the Roman Forums and took a few pictures of the Capital building (as well as found a bank ;).
Everything, and I mean everything is on a large scale (well the buildings anyway). Just magnificent to see so many structures like this.
We went back to the hotel (to charge my camera) and have some lunch at a near by cafe. Then we were off again. We took the metro to the Vatican City. We bought our tickets online and were ready to view the city. When we arrived, a tour guide approached us and told us all about their tours. I kind of thought it was a scam but the lady assured us it was not. We finally agreed that it was probably a good idea after hearing that there are over a thousand rooms in the museum alone and to get to the sistine chapel alone you have to go through every room (over 6 km and at least 4 hours of walking) - um no thank you. The tour while a little pricey took us past the line into the best parts of the museum. Our tour guide was this cute little Italian girl (who spoke English with an Irish accent... wrap your head around that one). We all had ear pieces in so we could hear her. She was extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed listening to the history and remembering parts of Ancient History from freshman year in high school. I kind of amazed myself at what I remembered - even answered a few questions correctly!! There were many statues depicting Roman mythology. Do you know why most of the statues are broken? Because the French liked to steal them b/c it was a sign of power and as they were transported back and forth between the French and the Italian they were damaged. In one of the courtyards, our tour guide explained the sistine chapel using some picture boards because in the chapel itself they are not allowed to explain because it is a holy place. After about 2 hours of so of walking through the museum, we arrived in the sistine chapel. Incredible. I've heard about this place my whole life in various classes, but to see it in person was so amazing. How Michaelangelo put the fresco up in 4 years, I'll never know. And he had a pain brush in one hand and a candle in the other. We were supposed to go to St. Peter's Basilica on the tour but there was some sort of celebration taking place. So instead of going with the tour she explained the basilica and then we parted ways. We walked around the Vatican City to get to the basilica. It was breathtaking as well! We saw were the pope lives and where his balcony is that I've seen on TV from time to time. The entire basilica is made of marble. The pictures didn't turn out very good because it was so dark. oh well... can't win them all.
After the basilica, we went to see the Spanish steps (ok so not as impressive as I would have guessed). We tried to find the Fountains of Trevi but some how after a metro ride to the next stop and a bit of walking we ended up back at the Spanish steps... it was dark and late and we were tired of walking. HA. So we decided to save that for the next day and just go have dinner. Dinner was at another little restaurant (nothing chain over here except McDonalds but yet every little place we've eaten is incredible). I had lasagna... so so good. We took some chocolate cake back the room and called it a night.
Yesterday, we took it a little easier (well sort of). We started off the morning with the Fountain of Trevi! We found it much easier in the day light.
We then walked over to the Pantheon. Not super cool on the outside but the inside... marble and granite! The Pantheon was made as a worship place to the gods but after the Christians became more prevalent it was made into a place in honor of the martyrs. (I'm sure I'm not getting all the history exactly right so you history buffs just be quiet...). The pillars outside the Pantheon were made of pink and gray granite. There is an 8 meter hole in the ceiling that provides the only light. If it rains it rains in the Pantheon... but the floor is concave to drain the water.
Next stop - the world's best coffee! Not just my opinion but that of many. So special they won't make the coffee in front of you. I had a cappachino and it was good, great, the best.
After that our "agenda" was done so we wandered the streets of Rome... walked along the Tiber River... had lunch in Trastavere, and did some shopping!! I bought a pair of Italian boots... on sale!
We ended our day with some more Italian food ;) I had eggplant parmesan. And of course some dessert. A mini cannoli and cream puff. And after walking all day I was still hungry so gelato to finish off the day :)
Today we are headed outside of Rome to maybe relax and enjoy the last day of Italy. I know most of you are probably jealous but I still like comments ;)
