After our lovely relaxing simple life in Cinque Terre we were headed off on the next leg of our italy adventure in Rome. We had to take 3 trains to get there and I was seriously praying that the broken wheel on my suitcase would hold out for another set of cobblestone roads. The first train ride was fine...no real issues to report. But as you know, no travel day would ever be complete with out some sort of madness. The madness we encountered on this one was on the 2nd train of our day. We had about and hour ride to Pisa where we would then transfer to head to Rome. We saw the train arrive and realized it was pretty full. Once we actually got on we also realized
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| Worst train ever! |
that is was a very different type of train then we had been on before. There were these cabins that seated 6 people then a long narrow hallway with seats that came out of the wall. All the seats along the wall but one were taken so we grabbed it. As you can see in the photo there was barely enough room for us to be in the hallway let alone with luggage. At each stop people still had to try and get passed you to find other seats but the best part was when the "snack cart" tried to come through and just slammed into anything in it's path...luggage, feet, arms didn't matter. Better move it or the wrath of the "snack cart" will consume it. When we got off that train we were grateful and just praying that the next train from Pisa to Rome was better....and it was! We arrived in Rome and were able to find our hostel easily. We were lucky enough to get this place on short notice since our original housing arrangements fell through. When we rolled up (yes my suitcase made it kinda rolling still...all 4 wheels still attached) to the hostel we thought we were at a bar not a hostel. Turns out it was both....the entire bottom level was a bar then the rooms were upstairs. It was a pretty cool set up. When we checked in they put these bright yellow wristbands that you get when you go to a club so we
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| Nothing beats family time! |
could get passed the security guard to get back into the building after hours. You will probably notice the lovely yellow bracelet in most of the photos....don't be fooled I have not been to a rave every night in Rome....sorry to disappoint. We just hung out in the bar that night and got ready for the next few days.
The next morning we took the metro into town to go to St. Peters Basilica. I was very excited to see this but not half excited as I was to see my parents who were meeting us there!!! Yes, my wonderful parents had arrived in Rome just 2 days before we did. Back story...My parents decided to take a bicycle trip through part of switzerland after my Dad's retirement this year and since I was already going to be over in europe and traveling around in August they decided to come out early before the tour meet up with Kels and I. It was so wonderful to see them...I have to be honest I was kinda overwhelmed inside to see them. I didn't realize how much I had been missing family till I gave them a big hug in the middle of Rome. There is just something about the unconditional, genuine love and support of your family that
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| 1,2,3....throw! |
just makes everything ok. Once we had all hugged and chatted for a minute we heeded inside. It was sunday so there was a mass going on inside which seemed to make it just that much more beautiful. Also later in the day when we were walking through the square in front of the Basilica there were hundreds of people dressed in white choir robes walking through into the church to perform for the evening service. It was pretty impressive. Ok...back to the day...next stop was the Trevi fountain. As we walked there a slight afternoon shower started so lots of people cleared out of the area so we didn't have to deal with the crowds. We didn't mind the bit of water and took advantage of the lack of crowds to throw
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| The Pantheon |
our coin into the fountain which legend says secures a return to Rome and insures you find true love somewhere....we shall see. Next stop on our sights of Rome day was the Pantheon. With it's glorious dome and beautiful architecture it was definitely a highlight. The open circle in the dealing let in light that made it look so stunning. The details on the ceiling were the most impressive to me. Also inside this building was Raphael's tomb which I was not expecting so that was a great little surprise. We hit a few more points like the tomb of the unknown soldier and some ruins on our way to lunch. We all enjoyed some rest after the long walking morning and just chatted and caught up a bit more. In the afternoon we met up with a women who my mom had connected with via her work and book sales and she took us up to a spot a bit outside of the city where we had a great view of all of Rome. This was such a great unexpected surprise. We would have never made it out there, since you needed a car to get there, if she hadn't taken us. After we said good bye to my parents for the night and planned to connect up the next afternoon at their hotel. Kels
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| Night walk beauty |
and I decided to do a night walk so see the city in lights. It was well worth it. Everything was glowing and warm with the soft lights. I have really loved seeing the way these cities come to life at night. There is such a different feel about them at night then during the day. Maybe it is partially because I am not sweating to death but I think it is also just something magical that the lights do. The most beautiful part for me was the Colosseum. We had not seen it during the day so our first view was at night with the lights. It was so impressive. Just as grand as you would imagine it to be. Actually I take that back....you can't really imagine it....none of the things we see and learn about in the history books can prepare you for the real thing. It's beyond words.
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| Colosseum...so much history! |
The next morning we got up bright and early and went back to the Colosseum to see it in the daylight and go inside. I was overtaken by size of this structure. It is massive! There also were so may layers to it. All the underground cages and holding cells for the animals and slaves. The wooden stage that went over these where the performances and fights would take place, and all the levels of seating. It is just like our stadiums today only they had this all figured out in the first century. Kinda crazy to think about when you are walking along who walked before you. Which gladiators roamed those cells and Ceaser was in the same spot I was. It just blows my mind to think of the history that we are wandering
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| Poolside Toast! |
through. We spent a good 4 hours just walking all the ruins and grounds in and around the Colosseum. It was well worth it but our feet were killing us by the end of the day. Possibly our shoe selection played into that since we were in sandals but hey, that's what the Romans wore right? Anyway, after that day we needed some relaxing so what better way then with my parents at a pool! We spent the evening with them just lounging by the pool, eating dinner and having some of my Dad's amazing birthday cake. The night was great up until we tried to get home. The place my parents were staying was a bit outside of the city so we had to take the train and the metro to get there. Also from their hotel the train stop was a bit of a walk in the dark so we thought we would be smart and take a cab....worst idea! We got in the cab that the hotel had called for us so we figured it was reliable....not so much. My first red flag was when he started the meter at $12.60....we were driving less then a mile down the hill mind you. We questioned him and he just played it off and said something in italian then kept driving. When we arrived at the station we asked again why is it so high ($15.80 at this point). He started yelling at us in italian and Kels said "Sara...Get out" and reached across me and opened the door. I went to get out and he took off again. We then start saying " No, No, Stop! We have money just tell us how much!" He then stopped the car again and we opened the door and I got out quickly. He pushed a button and displayed another amount that was more realistic and Kels handed over some money, grabbed her change and got out. Unfortunately he still charged us the ridiculous amount but at least we didn't have to jump from a moving car. We started running to the train station because we knew we were tight on time for the last train. We missed the one we thought we were taking but Kels found that there was one more coming...or so we thought. After waiting for about 10 minutes we saw a man hop down from one side of the track, walk across the track (which is strictly forbidden to do) and hop up right in front of us. This track hopper looked at us and said "No more trains tonight." My heart sank. I really didn't want to get into another cab at that point and there were no more trains. Luckily our track hopper had another solution...the bus. He directed us to the correct bus stop and it was pulling up right as we arrived. We got home safely then joined some of our friends from the hostel for a drink on the river. A crazy but memorable night.
The next morning we met my parents early to go into the vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel. Going in there was a huge moment for me. I would have never in a million years have thought I would get to see such a famous piece of history but here I was getting to see it right along side my parents and my great friend. It was one of those moments that just reminded me of the amazing journey I have been blessed to travel. After a lovely lunch we said goodbye to my parents and I barely held it together. It was so great to see them and share part of this trip with them. It just made me wish I could have everyone with me along the way at different times for little parts of this trips. I suppose my words will have to be enough to make it feel like your with me.
I could go on and on here but I won't...I will leave you here and pick it back up in my new location of Sorrento Italy.
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