We boarded the 7:30am train for Rome. The whistle sounded and we got as comfy as we could in the stiff seats to begin our journey to see not only Rome, but also my dad and brother! Filled with excitement and anticipation I didn’t make much use of the 4.5 hour train ride, except getting to know my iPod very well. We finally stopped at the Rome Termini station and exited the train station to see Rome in all its glory for the very first time. We immediately became enveloped in all the hustle and bustle of the big city that seems rather absent from Macerata. And not having the slightest idea where my Dad’s hotel could be we got a taxi and gave him the address. After weaving and bobbing between cars we made a stop and he pointed us down the street to the hotel. We thanked him, unloaded our green monster bag and started walking. We entered into the Best Western hotel and just as I was about to ask the front desk if my dad had checked in yet, there he was taking a little snooze on the couch! I yelled “Dad!” and ran over where he popped his head up and immediately smiled. “Hi Boo-boo!” he said with open arms. It sure felt good to have a warm hug from family in such a long time.
He explained that the room still wasn’t ready and might not be for a few hours. However, he did already stand in line at the Vatican Museum and got tickets for us. We handed over our luggage to the concierge and made the 5 minutes walk to the museum. The guards at the metal detectors were almost scarier than those at the airports, but we proceeded through with ease- only to get stopped by the ticket machine. Apparently when you buy a ticket its only good for 2 hours… which had long since passed. But after thoroughly confusing the ticket guy he just waved his hands and let us pass. Oh the joys of being a tourist.
The museum was really cool. It had a million+1 artifact’s and sculptures from anywhere you could possibly imagine. They also had an Ancient Egyptian exhibit which I thoroughly enjoyed! We took lots of random pictures and followed Dad who led us to the Sistine Chapel. If do say so myself, Wow! Although I had expected it to be a lot bigger, the faultless details in the paintings were anything but disappointing. To actually see in person what I have heard so much about in classes, books and television was stunning. There were no pictures allowed, but every once in a while you would see someone try to sneak one and then all the guards would seek out the person and yell “No photo!” Those poor guards probably have to deal with idiotic tourists all day.
My dad and I making a wish into the fountain at the Vatican Museum:
After that we headed back for a much needed nap. Amanda and I had been suffering from the cold all week and after traveling it hit us like a heard of elephants. My nose was literally running so much that I had a hard time catching it and the only way to stop it was to lie horizontal. Once we were rested and breathing a little better we got directions to a pharmacy and a great restaurant. Standing in line at the pharmacy we realized we had no idea how to say we need medicine or even what kind. So once it was our turn we started making coughing motions and blowing our nose. She got the point, probably because we have almost perfected the art of charades. We got this green syrupy medicine that she said to only take at night for three nights in a row. At least a healthy body was in sight.
The restaurant we ate at was Venerina al Mascherino Osteria. We got there right before the dinner rush, which was perfect so that we could get a nice table. I ordered a dish with a tomato based sauce and was very pleased with the meal. After that we went back to our hotel room and snuggled in the big bed of comfiness for a nice cough medicine induced slumber.
March 2nd
On Sunday we woke up and went down for a scrumdiliumptious breakfast with everything you could want for breakfast. After filling up our engines we got a phone call from Jeff (my brother) and they had just arrived in Rome! They needed some time to check in to their hostel, but then we were to meet at the Trevi Fountain. We caught a cab to the fountain and anxiously waited to spot my brother and his two friends, Reed and Danny. After being bombarded by gypsies to buy lame gifts and taking enough pictures to fill up a disposable camera, there he was! Jeff, wearing his red jacket, wasn’t too hard to spot in the sea of tourists. It was really nice seeing him and his friends, like a little slice of home and made its way overseas for me.
Amanda and I in front of the Trevi Fountain:
After catching up and taking more pictures of the fountain we went to go get some pizza for the starving young men. Then we went to the old city part of Rome where the Coliseum and arches are. We also saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other huge monuments. It was such a nice day that we didn’t need jackets or anything. The boys wanted to go inside the Coliseum and we wanted to go to the Spanish Steps so we split up and said we would meet for dinner.
The Spanish Steps were so crowded we could barely even make out that they were there. We climbed to the top and had our pictures taken. Then, we strolled down to get gelato and eat it on the steps just like they did in “A Roman Holiday.” Since we had been walking almost all day we decided to head back to the hotel and freshen up/ rest before dinner.
My brother, Jeff, and dad with me in Rome!
We met up with the boys at square St Peter’s Basilica. It was a wonderful night, rather warm and clear skies. We had dinner on the Borga streets. I had a wonderful plate of pasta with clams, oh how I love that seafood! The boys wanted to go out to a bar after, but Amanda and I passed up that opportunity considering we were still sick, it was early and also a Sunday. I’m not sure what the guys were hoping to find open on a Sunday night!
March 3rd
Monday morning we woke up to have another filling breakfast. Then we walked to St. Peter’s Basilica to view the inside of the extremely large church. The inside was very ornately decorated with marble sculptures of St. Peter and other important Catholic disciples. I don’t even think I can imagine how much money it must have taken to complete the basilica, which is unfortunate to think what else the money could have been used for. We also toured the crypt below and got to see the tomb where the last Pope was buried. There were a lot of gifts/ flowers that people had left for him. Then we went outside to meet the guys before we had to take off for the airport. They were their silly selves and joked around before they went to wait in line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica. I said goodbye to Jeff and left him to his adventures. We grabbed a bite to eat (from a man who can rap Eminem better than Marshall Mathers himself) then headed to the airport. We dropped Dad off first at Fumincino airport and with a heavy heart I said my goodbyes. Then the taxi man dropped Amanda and I off at the Ciampino airport. Figuring out which ticket desk to use we got our tickets and prayed our bag wasn’t too heavy.
To find out about Barcelona stay tuned…
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