Day 16-18
Trip Start
May 07, 2008
1
6
19
Trip End
Jun 23, 2008
Rome,
Lazio,
Italy
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
"Care Jerr" at Palatino Hill
. The statue is made of bronze it is about 30 to 40 feet tall from the horse's hoofs to the top of Emanuele's head. I was walking around the top level of the stairs when I turned the corner of the building I saw the Roman forum and the Coliseum. It was amazing to turn the corner and see that. Next we walked to the Roman forum and bought a ticket that got us into the forum, Palatino hill, and the Coliseum. The ruins of the forum were very cool and we walked down the origin of the first road (this road later makes its way to Siena). We saw the forums of different Emperors can't remember which ones. Next we walked over to Palatino hill to see different houses of ancient Rome. We walked through the ruins of Caesar August's house. After that we walked to the triumphal arch outside of the Coliseum. We didn't have to wait in line at the Coliseum because we already had our tickets so we skipped an hour long line to get in. Walking through the hall way into the Coliseum was a cool feeling. We stayed there for about 2 hours I could have sat there all day. Being a huge fan of the Ancient Rome being there was indescribable. We finally left to my disapproval to go and eat. At this little restaurant I got veal in a beef broth it was very tasty. After dinner we walked along the back streets to the Trevi fountain once again some thing that I saw is to amazing to describe. We got gelato and tossed a coin in for good luck over our shoulders, and just hung out it was a very cool setting
"Jerr Bear" and I at the Colosseum
. We then headed back to the hostel for cards and more hanging out.Day 17 (Sat) Jerry and I woke up earlier than Ti and Dru. Jerry and I went to our free breakfast which was very good for the 20 euros we were paying to say there. Jerry and I headed back to the hostel as Dru and Ti ate. When we got there we forgot that Ti had the key and he locked the door, so I had to break in and help Jerry in but you needed a key to unlock the door on the inside as well so I had to jump in the window. Everyone went to the Vatican City for a tour they paid 40 euros for. Jerry and I didn't want to do that so we wondered around the city. We saw so cool things not to much that was note worthy. We did finally make to the Pantheon which is the only building from ancient Rome that still stands in its entirety. Very cool inside and out, it will pop up in my Monday lecture on the dome of the Duomo in Florence. (Sorry I am a little behind I'm writing this on Monday night). We then walked over to see the fort on the river and just down the street was the Vatican City. Jerry and I walked down the road that runs straight into the Vatican City's Saint Peter's piazza. It was pretty cool sitting out in the middle of the piazza looking around the Vatican City. After all the other people came out they told us how amazing the Vatican and the S. Pietro Basilica were, Jerry and I decided we would go on Sunday which turned out to be a good idea. We walked clear back across the city to the Spanish steps
"Jerry Curl" capturing my good side
. We hung out on the steps until it was time for dinner. We went to another little place on the back streets I ordered spaghetti carbonara, very good. Everyone got conned into going on some stupid pub crawl cause they thought it was a great deal. It was an hour of free drinks than a free shot at every bar they went to (8) bars. 25 Euros for the crawl and a T-shirt. Well, I know it was just a plot to get you to spend more money which everyone did. Also the last train back to the hostel was at 10:30 so none of them made it so they had to pay for a cab. They all ended up spending around 45-50 euros. Then the next day they were hung over so they basically missed out on a day in Rome. Jerry and I just played cards with a few girls that didn't go out. Day 18 (Sun) Jerry and I got at 7 to shower and go get breakfast. We left for the city around 8:45. We walked to the Vatican to get in line. It wrapped half way around the "country" of the Vatican. It only took 25 minutes to go through the line. The inside is one of the most beautiful things I have seen. To make our visit even better there was mass up front and you could hear the Latin texts and Latin songs very cool. I could probably try to explain the inside of St. Peter's Cathedral but my pictures do a much better job even though some them are blurry so I apologize for that. We then headed to a museum attached to the church with a bunch of relics it was very cool to see all that stuff and it only cost 6 euros which is all I spent because I didn't get charged for entering Sistine Chapel later
Me in Rome
. But while I was waiting right outside the window where we were standing a small precession of nuns and priests same out from behind the church. Then I saw four Vatican guards carrying an awning over some one everyone kept saying that it was the Pope, and I couldn't remember what the new one looked like so I believed them and took a bunch of pictures, he walked about 20 feet from me (I was inside he was outside). Well as it turns out it was only a Cardinal but still very cool, he looked similar to the Pope I vote from him to be the next one just so I could say that I saw him when he was up and coming and before he hit the big time. Then when we were leaving the Pope came to his window to address a crowd so I got to see him I didn't take a picture because I though I already had one, but he did bless the crowd so I got that going for me. Then we went to see the Sistine Chapel like I said before we didn't have to pay for. We hurried through all the other amazing art in the building on the way there. Turned out to be a good idea we got to the doors into the final building where the chapel is 8 minutes before the doors closed. The chapel overwhelming, I didn't take any pictures because you aren't suppose to even though everyone was and no one did anything. We had two art student that were there from the US explain the hole thing to us it was amazing. After that I got some new euro sun glasses and then we went to the station to get on a train back home. Got back to Florence at 6:30, ate a pizza with cheese, tomatoes, arugala, and proscuitto, and then I went to bed after one of the coolest weekends ever. 
