C'era una volta...: May 2012

Ciao! So I was way too exhausted to post yesterday after Andy & I walked all over the city -- literally; I've got the blister to prove it! We went into the city center and have a kickass lunch, with a very complimentary and funny waiter. We both got pizzas; mine was una pizza funghi (mushroom). I think the mozzarella was about half an inch thick -- SO MUCH CHEESE! But, of course, it was absolutely delicious, so I ate the whole thing :P Then we started our tour of the city, starting with the Vatican. We were able to join a guided tour group with our international student ID cards, which was great because our guide was extremely knowledgable and entertaining (and from Michigan actually). The Vatican was overwhelming; I can't believe all that beautiful artwork is all in one place... It was incredible. After we walked through all the Vatican museums, we arrived at the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was a genius, but everyone knows that. We actually picked a nice day and time to go too; it wasn't near as crowded as the last time I had been. After the Sistine Chapel we continued on to the Basilica, which is my favorite part of the Vatican tour. I love the altar -- and there was even a mass going on while we were there! Very cool! Then we were able to pay a little extra to go to the top of the Cupola -- best 7 euros I've ever spent. I didn't want to leave. The view was breathtaking.

After the tour of the Vatican, we searched and searched for the Pantheon -- everyone was giving us different directions and the map was, of course, no help! But because we were basically just wandering the city we ran found Piazza Navona, which is gorgeous. Unfortunately, once we finally found the Pantheon, they were closing, so were weren't able to go in :( I'll just have to try again! From there we walked to the Trevi Fountain and made our wishes. It was extremely crowded though (and we were super tired), so we left after we threw our coins and took enough pictures. Luckily our cab driver was kind enough to drive along the roundabout that circles the Colosseum, so were were able to see it right up close. I'll try and upload the videos I took later. That night Andy and I went back to the same amazing restaurant and had another incredible -- and affordable -- meal. Andy had the steak again because it was too good to turn down, and I had Seafood Spaghetti in an olive oil sauce. It was the perfect way to end our little adventure.

Today we woke up early so Andy could make his flight back to the States, and I headed over to the IES center to check in and get settled into my apartment. I was pleasantly surprised to find that our apartment is actually quite large (for Rome; it's similar to an apartment in Austin). I was the first to arrive, but my three roommates, Ellen, Jillian, and Rhyme, showed up shortly after. Everyone is extremely friendly and easy to get along with -- what a relief. Next door there is another set of IES students. Oddly enough one of them is actually Jessica, who was in my Italian class back at UT this past semester, so that's awesome! Jessica, me, and one other guy, Luke, are the only people who have a pretty firm grasp of Italian, everyone else is just starting to learn.

Tonight Jessica's Italian roommate, Sara, took us out to Trastevere to two different little bars. One was a place that serves chocolate shots, which all have dirty italian names. I had a "Sveltina," which means "quickie," but the others included a "69,""Succhiotto" (hickey), and "Punto G" (G spot) -- they were hilarious, but delicious. The actually shot "glass" was chocolate, and they pour a bit of flavored liquor, and top it with whipped cream and other nonsense like sprinkles and cinnamon. You're supposed to drink it bottom first, all in one bite. Everyone from our apartment and the one next door had one together; it was funny watching everyone try and get it all in one bite; whipped cream and chocolate were all over everyone's faces. After that we went to a bar where they sold drinks and gelato, and I was able to have my first Italian beer, which in my opinion (granted I don't normally go for beer) was better than anything I've ever had in the States. After staying and chatting with Jessica, Luke and the Italian students for awhile we headed back. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a mix up on the bus. The idiot driver stopped in the middle of a bridge, passing the actual stop, and then quickly closed the doors after about 4 people got off (including our Sara, who was our guide back to the apartment), leaving me, Jessica, Jillian, and Rhyme to try and find our way home without a map... It was quite the adventure. Luckily we had all been walking around earlier that day and were able to find our way back easy enough. Thank God our apartment is right next to the Vatican so we have a perfect point of reference.

And now what you've all been waiting for -- pictures! But bear with me, the pictures are kind of out of order because they came off of two different cameras. Enjoy!

One of the first maps of Italy in the Map Room at the Vatican. It's actually about 85% accurate.

Saw peacocks on the floor and it reminded me of Kylee, so I had to take a picture for her!

Even the shutters at the Vatican are ornately embellished.

The man being carried, in the red, with the white beard, is Pope Julius II. He's responsible for most of the grandeur of the Vatican.

The man in the red, with the laurel crown is none other than the Father of the Italian language -- Dante!

Really? Jewish stars at the Vatican? I thought this was funny.

Not the best picture, but considering the Sistine Chapel is extremely dim lit (and you're technically not supposed to take pictures -- shhh!), it's not a bad picture of The Last Judgement.

This is Johan, looking up at Michelangelo's masterpiece, or maybe he's just looking at "the ass" Michelangelo included in The Creation of the Stars & the Planets panel to spite Pope Julius II for making him spend a decade of his life craning his neck and painting this room. [Bottom half is the top of The Last Judgement; Top Half: beginning of the ceiling]

Andy & I in the Sistine Chapel!

The Royal Staircase. I've decided I need a royal staircase in my future home; it's only fitting...

On our way up to the Cupola, stopping to take a quick pic. I think I drove Andy crazy making him take a million pictures of me all day haha

The quintessential Sistine Chapel scene -- The Creation of Man

Bronze doors of the St. Peter's Basilica. They remind me of the one's in Florence.

More irony at the Vatican haha! He was in our tour group..

The other set of bronze doors at the Basilica; absolutely gorgeous.

The Pietá -- one of my absolute favorite sculptures. It's such a shame that some crazy attacked Mary's face a few years back, claiming to be Jesus, and now they have it behind bullet proof glass....

Inside of the Basilica -- what an incredible sight.

The Altar at the Basilica. Unfortunately, due to the mass that was going on, we couldn't get very close, but it was impressive none the less.

Another dead Pope.. I can't remember which one this was. They're all a bit creepy if you ask me...

List of all the Popes ever. I wonder what they plan to do when they run out of space on the marble.

Pope John Paul II's tomb. There were lot's of people praying and making offerings to him.

The view from the Cupola of the mass that was going on while we were in the Basilica.

Me at the very top of the Cupola! St. Peter's Square is behind me!

The most incredible, moving view I have ever witnessed. I didn't want to leave.

Andy & I at the top of the Cupola. I could not get over the breathtaking view.

Andy walking down from the tip top of the Cupola. There were so many stairs! The walkway was so narrow, and even leaned in with the dome; notice the stairs are actually slanted. Very claustrophobic.

Some of the statues in St. Peter's Square from behind.

Me with the Cupola in the background.

Going to the top of the Cupola was one of the coolest experiences in my entire life. Unforgettable.

La mia pizza dei funghi -- è stata deliziosa! I ate the whole thing.

Silly Swiss Guard.. While they're the oldest army, they haven't fought since 1527.

The facade of the Basilica. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

One view of St. Peter's square. There are over 150 statues and the columns are two deep (though Pope Julius wanted a third row..)

We stumbled upon Piazza Navona on our seemingly endless search for the Pantheon. Just goes to show you how completely packed with beautiful buildings and monuments Rome is.

This reminded me of the spray paint artists in Mexico.

Me in front of the Pantheon. We finally found it after almost 2 hours of searching and getting misleading directions, but we were walking up right as it closed, so we were unable to actually go inside. I'll have to return!

La Fontana di Trevi! Need I say more?

Andy & I in front of the fountain.

Picture of a polaroid [there were men walking around everywhere with old school Polaroid cameras offering to take your picture in front of the fountain]. This is us tossing our coins into the fountain and making our wishes! Hope mine comes true :)

The ceiling of the Basilica. Literally everything was adorned.

Like I said: we walked all over the city, and here's the blister to prove it!

Me in St. Peter's Square in front of the Vatican.

The Welcome Pinecone. Apparently pinecones are a symbol of welcoming; who knew?!

Il Bronzo Pomodoro [The Bronze Tomato] in the center of the Pope's hideout/gardens.

Posing by the statues..

One of the most famous sculptures in the Vatican museum. Michelangelo actually refused to work on it because he felt it was already flawless -- even missing arms, legs and head..