Roasted Rome

6/20

Rome didn't like us. But really.

We took a 10:30 train out of Florence and got to Rome around 12. We found our hostel within about 30 minutes, and soon discovered we couldn't check in until 3, because there is a "room lock out period" from 10-3. Well, I hadn't slept at all the night before and Ayla slept for maybe 2 hours... We were ready to take a nap. We joined a few Irish girls feeling the same way in the hostel common area, and hung out until we got into our room, which turned out to be at 2.

Ayla wanted to shower and I was ready to pass out.

Little did I know, 15 minutes later I would be awoken by Ayla screaming my name from the shower- she had locked herself in.

We probably should have taken that as a hint- have you ever heard of anyone locking themselves in the shower? 

Anyway, after we got that sorted out and rested for a bit, we went out to see the Trevi fountain. We both made our wishes (like in the Lizzie McGuire Movie, of course), and then made our way to the Spanish Steps. In both of those places, people were gathered and just hanging out. Piazzas at night usually get pretty busy, with people socializing, drinking, and eating gelato. We enjoyed the people watching.

We walked back to our hostel, and met our roommates, Andy and Tom. Andy is a Chinese girl who just started traveling, and Tom is an Australian who has been traveling through the states and then through Europe. He was pretty entertaining.

The next morning, we all hit the town together.

We started at the Capuchin Crypts, which are made of 3700 different friar bones. Creepy! But very interesting. Tom has learned about the friars before, and said they believed pain was sacrifice; the first half of the building was a Capuchin museum that had all kinds of artifacts, including their whips and daggers used for pain.

Despite the odd feeling that you're looking at thousands of human bones, the crypts are quite artistic and beautiful.

Afterwards, we decided to just walk around the Vatican ( we weren't planning on touring or anything).

Poor choice! The entire mile radius around the Vatican was filled with tourist group after tourist group. We saw the area where the Pope speaks, and got lunch.

We then explored some ruins in the city (they are almost around every corner!), and saw the Pantheon. It was so refreshingly cool in there, we had to sit for a while.

Group photo! I think the highlight of that day was when a man asked Tom if he would take a picture WITH his wife, as in be in the photo. Apparently his wife liked Tom? Strange situation.

We walked from there to Piazza Navona, possibly one of my favorite spots in Rome. There are gorgeous fountains, artists, and one of restaurants around the piazza. Ayla and I also went there on our last night, where again, people were outside socializing and enjoying the atmosphere.

It was getting late, and we were exhausted, so Ayla and I headed back to the hostel. It was about an hour long walk... In total, we had literally walked from the Vatican back to our hostel, which is by the train station- across the whole city!

We met up with friends we met in Florence, the ones that go to University of Texas. It was their last night in Rome, so we enjoyed some pasta and bruschetta before they took a flight to Athens that next morning. We were (and still are) super jealous of their flight, because its going to take us two days to et to Greece, thanks to the inconvenient ferry schedules and long transportation times. 

Later that night, we all went out as roommates. Not a good experience... Got off the metro, couldn't find anything lively but a private gay party at Coyote bar. Plus, we ended up getting split into 2 pairs and having to meet back up at the hostel.

The next morning, we started out by saying our goodbyes to Tom. Hopefully he will be able to meet up with us in Ios (if we ever get there ourselves). Ayla and I set out for Trastevere, which is hands down, my favorite part of Rome. Small cobblestone streets, little boutiques and restaurants, flowers everywhere, and a beautiful park overlooking all of Rome- perfect!

We ate at an Italian buffet for lunch (only €7- we couldn't resist), and it was actually pretty delicious! Or, we were starving, either one. I got gelato at Fior de Luna, thanks to personal suggestions from family friends. Then, Ayla and I walked the steep hill to the park to have a nice nap. Gotta love those park naps. 

Something different about Rome is that there are fountains everywhere! Not just the decorative kind, but you can actually fill up your water bottles and cool off a bit in them. It was definitely needed, thanks to the 90 degree weather we had every day we were there. 

We were hoping for more of the view in the background, but you take what you can get, right?

W headed back to the hostel and made dinner, and then tried to explore Rome nightlife for the second night. Lesson of the night- night busses do not take the same route after 12. Rome had duped us for the third time.

Wednesday, our last day in Rome, we toured the Coloseum. Very very interesting, when we could hear the tour guide. I had no idea that under the stage of the Coloseum, there were aqueducts that filled with water! Apparently the emperor liked to have water competitions. 

We trekked to Campo dei Fiori, which is the site of a daily market, selling flowers, pasta, spreads, produce, and some jewelry. We also wandered into a shoe boutique, where we failed to notice that the huge mirror in back was not, in fact, a whole other side of the store, and almost walked into it. Embarrassed and obviously damaged by the sun, we decided to head back to the hostel early and get out of the harsh sun.

After our break. We enjoyed a great evening in Piazza Navona, listening to jazz and watching mimes, and then going back to Campo dei Fiori, where people also gather to socialize. 

We packed up and left this morning, and decided to hit up the ATM. Too bad the ATM never spit out my €100 I tried to withdrawl, just a lousy receipt. And the bank wasn't open. And we had an 8:05 train to catch. You win, Rome, you win.