When in Rome...

Rome - awesome!!! First of all, I loved it the minute I got off the train, despite my first experience on the subway, labrynthine, construction filled, hot mess. I got there in the afternoon and just walked around. Which has basically been what I've been doing every day. The first thing I figured out was that the roads are extremely dangerous. Nobody follows the cross walk signs (cars, scooters, or people), and I saw the remnants of a fresh 3-scooter collision within an hour of leaving the hostel!!

But really, words can't describe the grandeur of all the churches (I go in one whenever I see it), the magnificence of 2000 year old ruins in the middle of the city, and the really neat atmosphere.

Thursday I spent the day in the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Friday I threw coins in the Trevi Fountain and took a trip out Appia Antica - the old Roman road leading into the city. Saturday was the Colosseum and ancient Roman ruins, plus Mass in the Pantheon! Sunday was Pompeii (just outside of Naples, south of Rome). Monday I rented a bike and just rode around carefree up through the parks around Villa Borghese and then the hilltop just outside the Vatican. I ate delicious food, wine, and gelati. Rome is so fun!!!