I'm back! wooooot :D
I couldn't blog while I was in Rome because it was 5 euros an hour to use the internet -_- it's funny, Michelle and I were joking with each other saying once we get home, everything is going to seem cheap because EVERYTHING here is way more expensive than Hawaii, oh my...
Rome. Beauty in every corner together with it's rich history made Rome an ideal place to go to before we start classes at the Copenhagen Business School next week. Special thanks to my mommy for treating (lol) and for letting me choose the place and Michelle for coming with, it was all in all incredible :D
Downer. We were constantly being warned by friends, family and other American tourists of the pick pocketers and how they are soo good you can't even feel it. 3 women, rather tiny compared to the rest of the world, in this foreign land that has seen their share of tourists, you could imagine my anxiety. Rome quickly turned from a city of wonders and amazement to a place where I didn't even want to explore with the fear of getting jacked. Nevertheless, we all found ways to "pick-pocket proof" our bags (while making it Jericah proof too..haha). After surviving the first day without anything getting stolen, I was able to relax just a bit.
Arrival. We arrived at around 10am on the 19th, took a taxi to our hotel but our room wasn't ready yet so we asked if there were any restaurants close by and they gave us a card to a restaurant down the street. First adventure in Italy! Walking the dirty streets with cars speeding past was not the greatest I must say, but I felt real girl-scouty..haha. Down the street ended up to be a 20 minute walk but we finally found the place.
yup, we were on table 1. Why?
we were the only ones in the restaurant. lol
oh wells, I had the fettuccine and it was amazing!
Scams. After we ate we asked for our check. We saw things we ordered on the check, but then there was something for 6 euros that we didn't order. We asked the waitress what it was and uncertainly she goes "the bread?" (the ones they give while you wait for your food) and we said "oh we thought it was free..." then she goes "did you not eat the bread?" but we said we didn't order it so she was like "oh ok, 6 euros less." We thought that in italy we have to pay for the bread, but then we read in the Rome book that they will try and charge you for things you didn't order. Good thing my mom thought twice because if it were just me, I would've just paid it. So yes, bread in Italy is free....The rest of the day we just stayed in the hotel and started our exploring the next day.
Vatican City. The next morning we took the bus to the Vatican City because this was the closest stop we could catch the "Hop on hop off" Tour Bus, which served as our tour guide and transportation to all the different tourist spots around Rome. What totally slipped my mind was that it was a SUNDAY! Oh my walking from the bus stop to the Vatican was literally breath taking! Singers in the background while the Pope speaking, it was the perfect introduction.
He was in the screen of course, lol.
St. Peter's Basilica
can you tell i was extremely excited?!
Favorite Restroom. I just have to talk about our "favorite restroom." So since we took the bus to the Vatican every morning, we found a clean restroom in one of the cafes. The thing is, the reason it's so clean is because there's a lady that's always cleaning it. In return for the use of this restroom, people give tips. We went to the cafe at least 3 times a day to use the restroom, so we invested plenty of money to the cleanliness of that bathroom :D
me waiting in the cafe...lol (yes I just had to)
Castle San Angelo
Right across the street from the Vatican
The Vatican from across the street
Gelato. Of course we had to eat gelato. "Italian Ice Cream contains twice as much sugar as American Ice Cream" says Mrs. Ungermeyer from The Lizzie Mcguire Movie (tehe).
Trevi Fountain. This is one place I just HAD to go to. When the tour bus said Trevi Fountain we "hopped off" and followed the sign and the crowd. There's just something about the walk to the place where you've only dreamed of going and being just seconds away from seeing something you've only saw in movies that just thrills me. Like walking to the Vatican, seeing the Trevi Fountain first from its side was just majestic! I believe the crowd of people plays a role in adding to the excitement because they are just as excited as you to see it!
from the side
from the center
Michelle and I before we made our wishes!
Coliseum. The next day we planned to spend most of our time by the Coliseum. You could imagine my excitement! (I get excited alot). Just thinking about how majestic it must have been at it's prime! "Top notch" facility at that time, loads and loads of people and of course, the gladiators and animals. Our tour guide said that the gladiators consisted of slaves. If they won, they would win not only money, fame and women but also their freedom. Sad thing is only 2% of gladiators survived. Blood shed at its max. I could not imagine having to fight that hard just for my freedom. To think this served as entertainment during their time. If only they knew the value of life....
we weren't sure if we were suppose to smile or be sad...
inside the coliseum
No shoulders, no shorts... So our 3rd day we decided to concentrate on the Vatican City. We read in Michelle's Rome book that if we went to the Vatican, we can't show our shoulders or wear shorts. We thought it fine because the previous days were cold, but no, that day the sun came out and it was scorching. It was worth it though, kinda...
haha the sign before you enter
inside st. peter's basilica
Spanish Steps. We took a break from the Vatican, hopped on the tour bus, and went to see the Spanish Steps. Once again, same feeling while walking towards the steps...
...no photos. Ok Vatican continued. We then made the 1 kilometer journey from st. peter's square to the Vatican Museum where the Sistine Chapel is!
sign was deceiving! because there were literally 20 of these signs until we actually reached the Sistine Chapel. We had to walk around the whole museum first before we reached it.
some of the art that we passed on our way to the Sistine Chapel
last sign! FINALLY....
The walk in seemed like slow motion, dark and cold, people standing in awe of the ceiling. I take out my camera about to take a picture, then comes a loud voice "No Photos! No photos..." The one place we walked endlessly to see is the one place we couldn't take pictures! I think Micheal Angelo wouldn't have mind if I took a picture of his fantastic work of art to show my daddy! ;) oh wells, was still amazing.
ha! the last stretch before we got out of the museum
Last Thoughts. I always seem to be thinking.
Flavian Palace Ruins
Together with our Coliseum Tour was a tour of Palatine Hill, where Rome is said to have its origin. This is the hill where Emperor Domitian built his palace and the emperors to follow altered it as they pleased. While on the tour, our guide did a wonderful job of painting a picture of what it looked like at the time. Marble everywhere, his very own stadium for chariot racing, a huge fountain right infront of the bedrooms for his family to look at, can you see it? And yet, today they are as the picture above displays it...just ruins. It must have taken years to build. Plenty of time and energy and strength. After all these years, all that remains can't justify the beauty that once was. It makes me think of all the things I'm living for. If it's just to obtain money and even fame, I just think that it will all fade. If I live for something much higher than what this world could physically display, then I believe it is much worth my time. Impacting lives, enjoying the time I have with people I love and loving Jesus, those will last :D
Long blog. but it's Rome. haha, back to Denmark! If you're still reading, thanks! Hope you enjoyed it.
Until next time
