You CAN do Rome in a day!!

ROME this weekend was wonderful! We left Firenze around 10am on Saturday morning. We decided early that morning that in order to be more adventurous, and to save our bank accounts, to rent a car. It was my first ever road trip and where better else than Italy to start! We got a cute little car to fit the five of us, and it came with a GPS, thank goodness. Before leaving Firenze, we stopped at the look out point where you can see the entire city- it was surreal, and so amazing to so our temporary little home in full view. The trip to Rome was about 2.5 hours and was great because we got to have a dance party and view the Italian country side- while being chased by a 2 crazy Italian boys in a Porsche- thankfully we lost them.
Once we arrived in Rome, it took us the remainder of the afternoon to find a hotel. One of the hostels the girls looked up was closed for renovation and the other was too scary for words. At that point I decided I wasn't a hostile girl and preferred a hotel. We finally find a quaint little hotel call Hotel Gerber. The types of rooms they have in hotels here include: a room with 2 single beds, a room with 1 double bed, or a room with 3 single beds. All of these rooms cost the same amount, unless you are upgrading to a suite or something. We tried to pack all 5 in a room with 2 single beds, but the hotel staff soon caught on and we had to get another 3 person room. We went to dinner and I got some sort of yummy dish which consisted of what seemed to be 2 big lasagna pieces of pasta with a spinach and ricotta filling in the middle with red sauce on top- it was scrumptious. Then, of course I had the most amazing gelato of my life for desert...again. This one I think had oreo cookies in it, and came with a mini cone on the top- to die for. We went to bed early because we wanted to be fresh and ready for the sites the next day, were tired from the travel, and were far in location from where the hopping section of town is for nightlife.
Today we were up and out by 8, and we got a great free breakfast at the hotel. If you must know, I had an orange, yogurt and hard boiled egg with tea- trying to be healthy for at least 1 of my daily meals here. haha
Our first stop was the Vatican. Being raised a Roman Catholic, and certainly always a believer in God, but in a phase where I am trying to figure out which religion I prefer, I didn't expect the effect the Vatican had on me. Vatican city itself is literally within gated walls. When you walk in, it is in the shape of a huge circle and outlining the circle are huge buildings with large Roman columns complete with Roman figurines on the top, piled high in the sky literally glowing in the majestic sunlight. In the center of Vatican city was the beautiful nativity scene with the north star shinning at the top. And the Christmas tree was still set up in the center, but I think it was about to be taken down in the near days because there were no decorations on it.
When we entered the Vatican itself, I was so overcome by the sight I was brought to tears and had never felt the presence of God so much in my entire life. Straight down in the center of the church behind the alter was a large gold star with light shinning through it that resembled God him. There was a mass in progress when we entered, and the priest's voice reverberating around the walls in Italian made it even more amazing. The details of the inside of the church are almost impossible to describe in words and have to be seen in pictures; the painted and tiled scenes of angels and large sculptures of past members of the church were absolutely beautiful. There was also another nativity scene set up inside the Vatican that had a working fountain and some pretty lighting as well. This was truly an amazing experience for me and I am so grateful to have had it.
Next we went to the Trevi fountain which is this gorgeous area complete with a huge white building with Roman columns and Roman men fighting on their horses (as well as other figurines) and the fountain with all of the water is set in the front. It is known was being a really romantic spot and very picturesque. There were many couples snapping their cameras away.
There was also a small church right near the fountain in circle with gates. On the gates there were locks locked all over. Apparently couples come, lock the lock onto the gate, write their initials on the lock and then throw away the key. It is a symbol of their everlasting love for each other; yet another adorably romantic tradition that goes on here in Italy.
After that, we went to the Spanish steps which are right in one of the Roman fashion districts (I think I was more inspired by the fashion than the steps ;)) We got a packet of chocolate wafers and a small bottle of red wine and sat on the walls of the steps looking down at the view. Again, a beautiful sight to just sit and take in.
And our final destination of the day: The Colosseum. It was immense and you could just feel the history that had taken place. To think that hundreds of years ago, men were fighting each other and animals in the center of this huge building is crazy. We didn't go in because there is a charge and I am going to Rome and into the Colosseum with one of my classes this semester. We walked around some nearby ruins and were able to see a view of just a portion of Rome from a look out point at the top of the ruins- again, amazing. Also, we got lucky this weekend because the weather was beautiful (about 58 degrees and sunny).
To make the trip complete...we got MCDONALDS!!!! for the ride home. A McChicken with small fries. Listen, I understand that I am in Italy and supposed to be taking in the culture. And I am, everyday, but just this one little over priced, heart attack in a bag meal- put a huge smile on my face, and in my stomach :)
Well, it was truly a wonderful weekend and I am so happy to be seeing all of these historical sites and travel the country!
Classes again tomorrow, and I am actually excited!
Until then, buone notte...
xoxo
Amanda