1st day in Rome!!

 

Hello All,

 

Today was my first day in Italy.  I travelled to Rome with the ship from Civitavecchia to Rome, it took about 1 1/2 hours.  It was unreal for our bus to let us out right outside of St. Peter's Basillica.  Not only that but, as we came into Vatican city, we realized that it was Wednesday, the day the Pope comes out and blesses everyone.  I SAW THE POPE!!!  I can't even believe it.  I have video of him talking and giving the blessing (or what I think is the blessing, I can't be too sure since I don't speak Italian). 

 

I feel like after that I could really have done nothing else and still had a great time.  From their I went with some friends on the metro to check into their hotel. Then we ate at a really nice restaurant and had our first pizza in Italia!! It was delicious.  From their I split off from them because they were going to things that I wouuld see tomorrow on my longer tour.  But don't worry I was really safe and travelled the Metro the entire time. The metro was great cause it was only 4.50 Euro all day.

 

From their I went to the Spanish Steps, walked up them of course and took plenty of pictures.  I then went down Via Con Dotti, the street with all the really expensive designer shops.  Wow, can you say out of my price range.  There was actually a line to get into the Louis Vuitton Shop (or as Corinne would say Larry Vargas).  I took the metro then to the Piazza Del Popolo.  It was beautiful.  I bought a gelato and sat by the fountain and just watched tourists stroll by, I felt like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.  From there I took the Metro back to St. Peter's Basillica and did some shopping in the really touristy/catholic shops.  It was great.  I bought a rosary with the Pope on the box for 1.50 Euro!!  I hung out and took more pictures in St. Peter's Square. 

 

Then a lighting storm hit Rome.  The storm crept upon us and it began to pour.  It was surreal seeing lighting strike right over the Vatican!!  I think God was telling us it was time to go back to the ship.  We got back to ship and then had dinner in Civitavecchia.  I had gnocci and I thought of my dad (he loves it).  Then we got some gelato and talked to some locals!!

 

It was a great first day and I can't wait to see what Rome has in store for me the next two days!!