Domina Roma Capannelle Rome

... hung out, had our FREE DINNER!! It was just a plate of pasta...but Free none the less with a glass of wine as well...good deal really. After dinner the four of us decided to go for some Gelatti (no big surprise with Leanne and I lol) and then we were just back at the hostel for the evening.<br><br>Day 1 in Rome we headed over to the Colosseum and the Palatine area...wow it was quite a site to see the Colosseum as you walked ...

... for an hour and going the wrong way several times. The hotel is awesome, right on the Via Veneto, the "Dolce Vita Street." There is a lot to do, so we are about to go out and embark on some adventures. No plans, just walking around aimlessly tonight, then we plan to tour the Vatican tomorrow, the smallest country in the world! So much to do, we better get to it! Love you guys, we will write again tomorrow!<br>

... on our last night, now it has become lunch on our last day. We try to be philosophical, is was amazing food with a degree of ambiance. Susan picks up the tab, she had already planned to buy me dinner as I had arranged for the hotel for the last night with points. By now it seems as though the day has gotten away from us. We get cleaned up and head for the metro and for the Spanish Steps, we have a walking tour booked for our last night ...

... the same feeling I got in the big German cathedrals we visited. It probably started out as "we want to build the biggest and the best for God," but somehow became, "we OWN this city, and you're going to listen to our bells whether you want to or not." It's a straight line from Constantine's Basilica to the megachurches. Constantine shows up a lot around Rome. Aurelio took us to a recently famous bridge over the Tiber where lovers bring locks, lock them on a chain ...

... extra 2 Euro! Afterward we make our way to see the inside of San Pietro Basilica (St. Peter's Church). Immediately to the right is Michelangelo's famous Pieta statue. He finished this in 1499 when he was only 25 years old. Unfortunately it is now behind glass due to someone damaging it in the 1970's. We make our way around the basilica and there are so many different chapels. Everything is very large scale and very, very ornate. After that, we make a stop for ...

... so we could cook. We were greeted by student protesters filling the streets throughout the day. Something about politics and taking money from education. It seemed almost more of a celebration to me. Anyways..our hostel receptionist guy mapped out our whole three days in Rome which made things a lot easier. More to come....I need to find my map so I can tell you all the correct names for monuments.

... random -- London! Who knew. Our last day was spent in Notting Hill at the Portobello Market, and people-watching in Hyde Park. And now off to Rome! Our flight experience was dreadful -- boo on Ryanair! The check-in was really long and confusing, we barely made it to our gate at the 1/2 hour time it told us we needed to report by even though we got to the airport 3 hours early. Then, our plane was delayed, which meant we were cutting it reeeaaallly close to get to our hostel ...

... have been when the going gets tough. Going to Milan tomorrow morning .. 7 days until I return .. I'm pretty pumped. Here's an updated schedule: August 27: Relax August 28: Shopping with Jessica B. August 29: Wonderland with h0m0 kuri August 30: Parties @ Grant's and Whelan's August 31: Recover from hangover September 1: Party @ Shannon's September 2: Wedding mass + reception September 3: Downtown? September 4: Go-karting September 5: Wonderland with the boys September 6: Relax ...

So I went to Rome. Yes...Brook and I had a fantastic seven days. Our journey started at the Yellow Hostel in Roma, took a train to Naples where we caught a ferry to a small island called Ischia. Three nights in a wonderful full amenity type apt with a great view and lemon trees(made some fantastic lemonade.) Had some great Italian food, walked aimlessly around the cute town, but mostly ...

... three motorways and on to the A1 to Bologna. Ches had refused breakfast till she had circuited Milano and settled her stomach, so we stopped at the first Autogrill. I know I have said it before, but these are the most civilised roadside stops in the world. Quality coffee and excellent snack food. Ches's favourite breakfast is the Lunotta (a thin bread/pastry encased mixture of ricotta and spinach, toasted in a sandwich press) Returning to our car, a German ...