Running through Rome

I packed my life for the next 18 days into a small duffel and thus the journey began. Sierra was my traveling comrade through it all, along with Chelsea who unfortunately could only be with us through Italy! But I’d have to say we made quite the team as we took on traveling through Europe.

Our first stop was Rome and RUNNING we were. We had two days to see it all, TWO DAYS! We seriously didn’t waste a minute. It didn’t take us long to notice that distinct Italian accent, the insane drivers and well, let’s face it…good looking men!

The place we stayed was located just feet away from the Spanish Steps. I'm embarrassed to say that it took us more than a few hours to realize it, we just could not figure out WHAT was going on and WHY so many people were sitting on these steps? Honestly, they're only famous for being in some movie, so I really don't feel too bad.

Our first stop was the Vatican. With long lines everywhere we just picked one and wondered where it would take us. The picture above was the end result: St. Peter's Basilica. It. Is. MASSIVE. It's just hard to explain until you actually see it, but my neck hurt after looking up so much! We were lucky enough to be there right as a mass began. To hear the singing echo throughout the place was incredible.

We walked all along the river, hitting several piazzas on our way. One thing I can confirm is that Rome is really truly FULL of mopeds, and the drivers are fearless.

Perhaps this looks a little familiar. The Colosseum, built in around 70 a.d. Though a mere shell of what once was a structure covered in marble, it still remains so stately. Once inside I saw that maze where so many gladiators risked their lives. Just crazy. I'm glad to be born in this century!

Up above the Colosseum is Palatine Hill, which was once covered by palaces but is now just a hilltop full of gardens and fragments of ancient villas. The shot above is of the Roman Forums (also where we ran into my roommate from Spain, Lara and her mom! Really, out of the HUNDREDS of people who visit Rome each day, we happened to be in the same place at the same time)

Next: the Pantheon! This is an incredible structure that is STILL standing in it's entirety. It's rounded dome is an architectural wonder.

We couldn't leave Rome without seeing it by night! We (for the second time) walked by the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon. There is a little piazza right in front of the Pantheon that is lined with little cafes. As we walked through we joined a crowd of bystanders watching a man (wearing tights...) serenading the diners! He was singing some of the classics of Bocelli, how fitting. He had a descent opera voice, but I think I'd give him more of an "A for effort..." The picture above was also one of our stops, the Trevi Fountain! Naturally we made a wish and threw a coin into the water. (That wish still hasn't come true...)