Rome, History, Religion, Ice Creme and Tourists
Trip Start
Jun 08, 2008
1
46
65
Trip End
Dec 08, 2008
Rome,
Lazio,
Italy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I had a solid 3 days in Rome. I knew that it was going to be quick but I was told to spend 2 and get the hell out. You could spend close to a week here and still not see everything. I spend the first day at he Coloseum and the Palatino. It is still quite amazing that after 4 months of traveling one can still get really excited when they see new things. You would think that the novelty would have worn off by now but it hasn't. I was so excited when I came around the corner and saw the Coloseum for the first time. It was huge. Not as big as GM Place, close, very close. I was surprised how big it was. How they managed to build such an impressive building that many years ago. I was stopped and asked if I wanted to buy a tour, skip the lines and head right in. The extra 10 Euro was well worth not standing in the lines. We joined up with a tour group and headed inside the massive structure. It was what you would think of a building that old. It was a bunch of ruins but I was so glad to have a guided tour for the fact that if you went in there by yourself you would have no idea what you were looking at. He pointed out where the gladiators came from, the death walk, the Emperor's chair, and how the entire place actually worked. It was so interesting especailly since I was standing there looking at a bunch of ruins.
After that I headed to the supermarket had some lunch and then took a walk over to Circus Maximus where they had the chariot racing and such. I was quite unimpressed and when you see my pictures you will see why. I then headed up the Palatino Hill and checked out the ruins of the Palace. I should have had a guided tour through this one too but I didn't and I had no idea what I was looking at. You got the gist of most things but the details were defintally missed. Still very cool to see though. I headed over to the Forum and then over to the Monument of the Unnamed Soldier. Most European Countries have these monuments but Italy's is quite Grand. Soldiers gaurding the grave, police always on guard, rules that you are not allowed to sit of the step out of repect to the soldiers. It was quite cool. I know it doesn't sound like I did a lot but those three things took close to 9 hours of my day. I was so freakin tired and all I wanted to do was sleep. Lucky for me by the time I got back to the hostel so was everyone else. My room was close to all asleep and the common room was empty of people. I watched TV for a while and then headed to bed myself. I had a really big day the next day, I was going to visit the Pope.
I wanted to get out of bed about 7:30am and avoid the lines at the Vatican but the first time I saw my watch it was 9:00am and that was soon just a wish. I got up, had breakfast and took the metro over to one of the most relgious places on earth. Vatican City is beyond explainable. The massiveness of the entire city is incredible. It has its own, postal service, its own radio station and its own army to gaurd the pope every hour on the hour. I decided to go St. Peter's Bracilica first and wait in line there. I could not even imagain coming to this city in the middle of the summer. The people at his time were crazy let a lone during peak season. I was so glad that I decided to do it this way and not head here when it was 40 degrees. It took me about 40 minutes to get into the church, well, that I thought was the church. I accidently got into the line to climb the tower of the freakin church. I couldn't get out so I was forced to climb the 551 steps to the top. I wanted to do it but I was waiting for the afternoon but what the hey. I climbed to the top and got the most wonderful birds eye veiw of the Bacilica half way up. When I finished the climb you really get an actual feeling how big The Vatican is. The view of the entire city of Rome and a Birds eye view of the famous Vatican Square. I headed back down and headed into the church. This is the church of all churches. Has art, scuplutres, even the bodies of dead popes inside the buidling. Michelangelo designed the dome of the buidling and died before it was complete. This building had so much history. I met a couple that I met in the Czech Republic inside the Bacilica, so random. My next step was the Vatican Museum.
I had already been at the Vatican for close to 3 hours and I saw the Church and the top of the church. People told me that the Vatican Museum was close to 3 hours long and tons to look at. Holy crap were they right, It was the collection of art and artifacts that the Popes have collected. It was incredible to see the sculpures, the painting and the rooms totally covered with the paintings of Rapheal. The last step on the tour was the Sistine Chaple. A room that was quite simple, a regtangluar room but cover from wall to wall, floor to ceiling with the works of Rapheal. NO CAMERAS, I didn't care. I bluntly whipped mine out and took a picture, the worst thing they could have done was tell me NO pictures. I finshed off the Vatican day with Gelato, well deserved and it was wonderful. I had one more day in the city and then I was done with Rome and the people.
The next day was really chilled out and relaxed, just took in a few more sights, the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, a couple of squares and the Pantheon. I did a ton of walking and ended Rome on a high note. The weather was incredible for 3 days, 26-28 degrees and perfect for walking the streets. Overall I liked Rome, the italian tour continues in Florence.............
BUT FIRST.....
I haven't talked about the people much on my trip, I mean the locals. So many people have asked what country has the best people. I have to say without a doubt the Germans and that includes the Austrians.
The Dutch were wonderful, spoke English better then I did and were so helpful, the English were bluntly rude but the odd one was nice enough. The Irish and Scottish were fantasic as long as they had a beer in them. The Danish and Swedish again were almost too happy but if I lived in thier economy I would too. The Czech Republics were beyond mean, they just seem like the most unhappy bunch of people. The French, way nicer then everyone told me but I tried to use my french as much as possible. Coatians, very accomodating but most of the time you were their lively hood. And then we get onto the ITALIANS.
I have traveled with some Itadians throughout the 4 months and I can't even explain to you how obnoxious they are. Their voices have two levels, LOUD and FREAKIN LOUD. They push in line when they are toursits, and they would push you into the middle of the street if that meant you were holding them up. When they get drunk they are even worse. I have met some nice Italian but for the most part of it not impressed.
The Italias have 3 speeds, Fast, Slow, and STOP to lite a cigarette. Walking the streets you are either walking at a quick pace or you are window shopping with them as they walk down the sidewalk. I will give them one thing though, holy shit can they dress. They have their fasion together over here. You have very few locals walking the streets looking nothing but their absolute best. The men in suits, the womens in Boots. The one thing that defines you as a true Italian are your sunglasses, the bigger the better. Eveyone has them and if you don't you are a tourist. The styles range from classic to take over your entire face. The people are good looking and they know it. They would tell you to if you spoke Italian. Over all, an interesting group of people.
