July 2 and 3 in Rome

Hi,

 

Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back and tell you what has happened.  I already told you about my first day in Italy, so I will move on to my overnight trip. 

 

I left on my trip and right away we got started.  We went first to the Coliseum!!  Wow, it is hard to believe how old it is and how well preserved it is as well.  We walked around and got some great pictures (not with the gladiators because they are pick-pockets).  Then we walked over to the Roman Forum.  It was about 12 noon by this time and incredibly hot.  I literally sweat right through my shirt, but this was the time to see it all so it didn't matter.  Then, we went to our hotel.  We stayed in a Best Western, ironically, but it was very clean and very nice.  We had a couple of free hours so my friend, Nina, and I went to lunch at a local restaurant.  Then we walked through the main park, past the Zoo, to the Piazza del Popolo.  We had some gelato, did a little window shopping, and had just enough time to fill our water bottles in a fountain and head back for dinner.  Dinner was great, in a little restaurant in the older housing district.  There was live music, wine, and great food!!  I couldn't have asked for anything more.  After dinner we went on our walking tour!!  First we went to the Trevi Fountain.  It is beautiful in the day but magnificent at night.  I threw 5 coins in!!  Well, legend says to throw 1 coin in to come back to Rome (and you have to throw it in your right hand over your shoulder), 2 coins to find love, 3 coins to get divorced.  I threw 5 in--1 for me to come back and the rest for my friends and family to come back with me!!  After the Trevi Fountain we went to the Pantheon and then to the Piazza del Navona. It was all beautiful and I couldn't get enough pictures. 

 

The next day was equally as wonderful.  We started out by going to the Vatican.  I already had my personal meeting with the Pope, now I needed to see his house.  The Vatican is beautiful.  The Sistine Chapel was breath taking and all the historic art was fabulous.  From there we went to the Basilica.  I touched St. Peter's foot, which is what I guess you do in the Basilica.  Then we went and had a ridiculously large lunch and tiramisu and Italian coffee for dessert.  From there we had free time and so Nina and I went to the Pantheon during the day, because part of what makes it spectacular is the 9 meter hole in the ceiling of the Pantheon.  Interestingly, the Pantheon was originally a pagan holy place (Pantheon=worship of many gods), but it was made into a church and that is why it is preserved so well.  By the way the Pantheon was built in 27 BCE!!  Next we went back to the Trevi fountain and Piazza Navona--to see them in the day.  Got more gelato and came back to the ship. 

 

 

P.S. Sorry if my grammar or spelling are not outstanding, but I only have a short amount of time and I would rather sacrifice mechanics so that you guys can all stay in the loop!!  :)