Kevin and I just got back last night from a trip to Rome – we planned to trip months ago, but I guess never mentioned that we were going to anyone. It kind of snuck on us! Anyway, Italy was WONDERFUL! Rome is such an interesting city, the food was amazing, and the people are so friendly.
We got there around 9pm on Sunday night and decided that we weren’t up to figuring out the city’s public transportation system, so we got a cab to the campsite where we were staying. I was pretty convinced we were going to die in that cab considering how fast the driver was going and how aggressively he drove. But we arrived in one piece, which I can only attribute to God’s protection.
Monday we started our whirlwind tour of Rome. Alex, another volunteer was traveling with us and was only staying in Rome until Wednesday afternoon, so he wanted to see as much as possible before then. So we started out at the Vatician, walking through St. Peter’s Square, the Basillica, and the tombs of the Popes. We also climbed the coupula at St. Peter’s square and got a great view of the city. We tried to go to the Vatican Museums and then the Pantheon, but both were closed because it was Easter Monday. So we walked over to Piazza Nuovo and Castle Sant’ Angela, and then stumbled across Piazza Popolo, where we enjoyed the sunshine and our first taste of Italian gelato. We finished the day at the Trevi Fountain where Alex and I threw coins over our shoulders into the fountain, which is supposed to guarantee that we will come back to Rome.
Tuesday was a big day! We started out at the Vatican Museums and saw the Sistine Chapel (twice actually), and viewed some of Rafael’s works. We then headed over to the Pantheon. It only took a few minutes to walk through, but it was absolutely amazing. Then we went to the Colosseum and took a tour with a guy named Max who knew all about the gladiators and stuff – not going to lie, the ‘sports’ that took place at the Colosseum were not my cup of tea. Anyway, we then took a tour of Paletine Hill and then explored the Roman Forum. We ended up having dinner at this place around the corner from the Colosseum. Our waiter was a guy named Alejandro from Peru – he was so cool, spoke Italian, French, English and, of course, Spanish.
Wednesday, I can’t really remember everything we did. We looked at some churches in the morning and went back to the Spanish steps, the said goodbye to Alex as he headed off to Germany for the rest of the week. Then Kevin and I took a self-guided walking tour of the Trastevere (a neighborhood in Rome), Isola Tiberina, and the Jewish Ghetto. Along the way we saw ‘Bocca della Verita’ (mouth of truth) that is this big stone carving with an open mouth which is said to close on the hands of liars.
Thursday was similar to Wednesday – explored the San Giovanni, the Cathedral in Rome and then too another self-guided walking tour around different piazzas and churches. We ended the day early, probably because we’re a boring old married couple….but mostly because we were tired.
Friday was the best day – we rented a scooter and went up into the hills surrounding Rome to the Pope’s summer residence, Castle Gandolfo. We ran into a woman on the street who lived in the town, so she acted as our tour guide for a few minutes and told us about the place in broken English. Evidenlty, the Pope was in the castle taking a vacation after the Easter holiday (‘He’s old’ explained our tour guide, ‘needs rest.’) Then we went over to a nearby town called Frascati and got our last gelato for the week and admired the views of Rome. I am now convinced I want a scooter when I get home, they’re hot.
A great, great trip. Now we just have to get back to real life here in Belfast
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