Roma

After a 19-hour ferry ride, we finally made it back to shore...in Rome! (well, actually in a little town about an hour outside of Rome, which we then had to catch a train to get into the city). Rome was a great city filled with so much history. You truly couldn't go anywhere without being surrounded by ruins. It was a great location for our first look at the wonderful country of Italy--great sights, lots of scammers, crazy motorcyclists that will run you over if you get in their way, and of course, AMAZING gelato, pizza, and pasta.

We arrived in the evening, and after checking into our hostel, we made it over to climb the long and very crowded Spanish Steps. After, we headed over to the Trevi Fountain to toss in a coin and ensure a return trip to Rome. We woke up early the next morning and hurried over to the Colosseum (so we could beat the crowds). It was truly indescribable! It is really spectacular-it's huge, and intricate, and well, old. :) Then, we headed over to Palantine Hill and the Forum for some more ruins action. We then took a trip over to the Pantheon. We also managed to just get lost in the city and the sights.

But, I think the one thing about Rome that I'll never forget is the food. We went to a gelateria and had the best gelato (ice cream) that I will ever have. It was dark chocolate truffle. Mmm, I'm salivating just thinking about it...Anyways, I also managed to get myself some gnoccis. We also had our favorite meal in Rome at this little ma and pa shop next to our hostel. For just 10 euros each, we had a 3 course meal with hot, fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, veggies, a rabbit pasta (I know it sounds weird, but it was really good-it tasted kinda like dark turkey meat), and if that wasn't enough, we were served delicious flan for dessert (Jared's favorite). Okay, now my mouth has completely filled up with saliva....

Changing the subject, Rome was also full of tourist traps and scammers. These guys were walking around in a plaza with roses and would offer them to you as "a gift". But, if you took it, they would demand payment. But, thanks to my reading and Rick Steve's "graffiti wall" (a travel book with advice from fellow travelers) we managed to avoid all of them and instead were able to watch and laugh as others fell into the traps.

All in all, Rome is definitely a city that everyone should visit at some point....if just for the gelato!!!


Here's the Spanish Steps. They just keep going and going and going...Jared in the Colosseum. Are you not entertained?!?!
This is right out front of the Colosseum. This is where the Colossus (where the Colosseum got it's name) used to stand before it fell down.
This is another view from the Colosseum. I just love how in the middle of this very populated city, there are massive expanses of ruins and trees and such.
This is more ruins located on Palantine Hill. This are what's left of some rich Senator's home.
Yet another view of more ancient ruins. I think this is part of the Forum.
This is Vittorio Emanuele II's monument. This is where we quickly got off the bus because we forgot to get our bus passes validated and would've been fine a couple hundred euros if we got caught.
I love this shot from inside the Pantheon. The only light in the building comes from the hole in the center of the dome that grabs sunlight. This is where the sunlight was hitting the wall at that particular time of day.
Jared wanted a shot of some of the scammers, so he made me pose so they would think we was taking my picture, when in reality he was trying to take their's. Sneaky, huh?
And here's Jared throwing a coin over his shoulder. The first coin is to ensure a return trip to Rome. You can then throw in a second coin to make a wish.