BellaRoma Hostel Rome

... sf in the Vatican. The value of the Sistine Chapel? Money has no meaning. The last pope started a modern art gallery in 1973, in order to display a collection that was largely donated by artists over the past 2 centuries just to claim that they had paintings in the Vatican – Van Gogh, DeChirico, Feininger, Kandinsky, Bottero, Severini – 30 rooms of art, an afterthought in Vatican terms, but a world renowned billion ...

... the construction and destruction of parts of the Colosseum, about the gladiators, and all the games and competitions held there. I thought the Colosseum would be bigger than it is, but in it's day it was huge! Unfortunately, it also didn't look like it did in the movie "Gladiator," with all the seats still in tact, but nevertheless, the whole experience was VERY cool.

Another ancient spot to visit in Rome is the Roman Forum, which is a large section of excavated ruins ...

... of a challenge, but I had low expectations of the results; so I'm happy with it. I did a small bit of grocery shopping. Of course, I had to sample another gelato shop, this time Giolitti. I liked it the best so far.

So, now I'm ready for the arrival of Eli and Hannah. I'm free tomorrow to have my final day of pilgrimage-to do some things that wouldn't necessarily be of interest to them. Tomorrow will be a day of mixed feelings ...

... a huge altar with four spiraling pillars in the center of St. Peter's grave. It was both awe inspiring and nauseating at the same time. Everything was so amazing and beautiful and so unneccessary. So we went through the Basillica, and then Rainer had to leave to catch his flight back to Austria where he works for the Austrian government in there refugee division. So Natalie, her boyfriend, Jung and I went and got some food and then met up with Horacio again at the Pantheon. We ...

... was surprised to see that this day and age in a modern restroom facility. Maybe there are other cultures that prefer that?? In the evening, we made our way over to Piazza Navrona. We were seeking the famous gelato at Tre Scalini. I ordered the tartuti which they are known for. It was chocolate with chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and a cherry inside. It was also had some type of alcohol in it. Karen tried the Fior de Latte, but wasn't ...

... this time went in to meet the volunteers and some of the cats. Dave felt a little unappreciated when he was on the receiving end of a stray sharp claw, but we both loved being amongst all the cats, especially since most were very keen to make friends. Another wonderful dinner in a recommended restaurant, and then home to rest very weary feet (partly due to continuing transport strike). Tomorrow, Florence!!

... of like being in Hawaii again, but more crowded. But we went to the first beach, and it was very small, and not really a beach at all. So we got gelato, and left to find another one. So we ended up at the second one (which starts with an "M" but i cant remember the name to save my life) But then we chilled there for a few hours, and swam in the sea, and all was good. Then we headed home, but first we stopped at the bathroom so we ...

... delicious dinner at Cafe Saraceno this time accompanied with a bottle of wine. Nearing the end of our dinner the man sitting next to our table leaned over to ask where we were from. We told him North Carolina and he laughed thinking we were from further South. Funny because he was originally from Johnson City, Tennessee. We discovered the couple was from Midland, Texas (Bush country) and we engaged in conversation and laugher, much ...

... arrange for a host family, an independent villa or a masseria to host you, and will make sure that all you need to worry about is to go with the flow, relax and perhaps learn some Italian along the way. Prices will surprise you too. A typical daily HB rate with your own luxury and traditional apartment set in vast organic farm land, in traditional 1500 Saracen masseria, will cost you only £ 48 per person, and that includes excursion to the renowned trulli region, Lecce town ...

... an American retirement village on the coast of Italy, but it does happen to have touching imitations of Irish pubs scattered all over, which is good, so I went to one to watch soccer and drink Guiness at night. Yes, there is Guiness everywhere now that I don't give a rat's ass anymore. But it made for a decent evening, I met a very drunk Irish guy from Dublin, and a nice couple from New Zealand, and they all insisted I must, MUST come and visit them in their ...