ROMA

This past weekend was my last excursion, last trip with GSE, last time casually traveling to another city in Europe. I was happy it was Rome that was my last European city (aside from 2 weeks left in Firenze) because it was the one city in Italy I wanted to visit more than any other. People were dying to go to Cinque Terre or Venice or the Wine Tasting day in Chianti, but I wanted to go to Roma. After visiting it, it definitely did not disappoint. Hands down, I could have studied abroad in Rome. Easily. It was similar to Paris being very open (nature included far more) and despite the lies my sister and mother spewed about them hating Rome and how dirty it was, I thought it was clean and super refreshing. The mix of modern next to ruins was perfect, I loved it. If I studied there instead, I know I would have a different perspective on Italy without a doubt. Florence is pretty much repulsively dirty compared to Rome, but I've grown used to it until I visited Rome and instantly thought wait why didn't I look into Rome more??

After a speedy train ride (that definitely couldn't have been cheap seeing as Firenze SMN is a bitch too expensive and we got there in an hour and a half as opposed to 6) we arrive and stop at our 4 star hotel... yeah GRAZIE GSE I'll take a free night in a 4 star hotel in Rome.

I was dreading the walking tours in Rome as they were the last and I've lost all patience for them as is, but thankfully our tour guide was really good. Comical, informative without blurting on and on, just enough. After a nice walk through some security I am in the 8th country I've ever visited, the Vatican City. 

Vatican walls

Vatican Museo grounds, giant bronze ball that I have no clue what it represents

Our guide talking about the Sistine Chapel, no photos are allowed of it but DAMN it was so much bigger and not as high up as I expected.

Going thru the museum passing through the Room of Maps. A giant hallway dedicated to maps of Italian cities and regions

Heyyyy St Peter's Basilica

Pope John Paul II's grave

No one seemed to get my Angels & Demons reference here

Brunelleschi makes things other than the Duomo dome

the famous square in the Vatican

Lengel says, "guys I checked the weather for Rome not the Vatican" as it starts to downpour on us

THE TREVI FOUNTAIN! So beautiful in real life

Typical Trevi fountain wish throwing

At at a BOMB gelato place right by the fountain, it was apparently in Eat Pray Love. Damn good gelato, Horrid movie.

The Spanish Steps (which are not near the Trevi Fountain like I visioned in my mind)

Don't really know what is going on here, but yet another successful and fun free dinner night with the program. After which I we had plans to go to the ice bar, but with it raining we thought it best to not, so I met up with Tara's friend Sean who is studying in Rome. Then hailed down a taxi after because I was not about to get lost again in Rome, it was worth paying for.

Ciao Colosseum

Jumper movie reference? Anyone...?

But is taking rocks from the ruins forbidden....

Katie and I pretending to be warriors in the Colosseum, you can only smile in front of national monuments for so long.

Ancient ruins? Check

THE PANTHEON (which I was most excited to see, I dont know why but I was)

Oculus? check

The "Wedding Cake" that was built a hundred years ago and Romans apparently hate because it doesnt fit with the rest of the city, but I thought it was grand.

Finally added another outfit to the abroad photos, found an Italia shirt without it reeking tourist.

Rome was amazing I loved it. It was a perfect last trip.