Travel Log Part 8: Rome, Italy
Ok, I'm gonna make this quick because it has been really hard to motivate myself to continue my travel log. Besides, I've probably forgotten a lot of details by now, anyways. But we'll see.
So, Tiffany and I arrived in Rome. We were sick of each other (she was sick, quite literally), so we chose to stay in separate hostels. She picked one right at the main train station which offers express service to the airport. I stayed at something across town. It was totally ghetto: Bunk room shared with 7 other people. Shared facilities and dining area. It was great.
That afternoon, I went to the Vatican. It was quite opulent. I went up to the top of the Cupola, 577 steps or so, I don't recall the exact figure, but I did count every stair and the sign at the beginning was accurate in that the elevator would've saved me 300-some-odd steps, whatever that number was.
Vatican Square: 1 2 3 4. Interior. First step up to the Cupola. Dome. Last step up to the Cupola. Views from the top of the Cupola: 1 2 3.
After the Vatican, I went in search of a phone booth and a calling card so that I could call Tiffany and try to arrange to meet for dinner. Little did I know how hard that was going to be. So after stopping off form some gelatto (mmm delicious!), I went to Piazza Navona, which is famous for the shops and cafes nearby as well as the entertainment that can usually be found there, plus it was one of the places that Tiffany wanted to see again. Unfortunately, there was a heavy downpour on the way. But fortunately, I was able to buy an umbrella from one of the many sellers who popped up out of nowhere as soon as the first droplet hit the ground. I think I was supposed to leave a deposit in this fountain, or I never return to Rome. Oops.
Eventually, I was able to use a phone and I met Tiffany, as sick as a dog, at a restaurant just around the corner from her hotel. Nice food, nice wine, more gelatto. Nice conversation with the Irish couple seated next to us in the pouring rain. It was a fun experience. Not for Tiffany though as she couldn't keep her food down. She left the next morning for home, too sick to continue our trip. Poor girl. I was alone in Europe.
So the next day, I went to the Coliseum and got "suckered" into a tour group, but I have no complains except maybe the price. The tour guide was well-informed and was pretty funny. I learned a lot during the tour, but I've probably forgotten most of it by now. Got an outside shot, a couple 3 inside shots, and a picture of Constantine's Arch. The whole thing was very impressive. I cracked jokes to myself about Gladiator during the whole tour.
Then I headed eastward into the ruins of The Forum. The area was just amazing with all of the columns, statues, and remnants of it all. It was very picturesque that day.
After all this, I went on a walk to find The Pantheon. On my way I found this. Never found out quite what it was, but it's pretty. Then I finally found the Pantheon. I didn't know what it was at first because I kept seeing signs referencing St. Mary's or something. I'm like, this doesn't look like a cathedral or anything. But I was at the right place.
And now, in the interesting of getting this silly thing over with, I'll briefly summarize the rest of my trip back to San Diego:
Train back to Zurich to spend the night with Natalie again. Good German sausage at restaurant. Got Natalie drunk on accident. Headed out the next day and stayed with Tiff's mother in New York. We went to this play inspired by Billy Joel music. It was pretty good, but really just dancing and music, no like, acting or speaking or anything. Then I flew home to San Diego. Home sweet home.
*sigh* All. Done.
So, Tiffany and I arrived in Rome. We were sick of each other (she was sick, quite literally), so we chose to stay in separate hostels. She picked one right at the main train station which offers express service to the airport. I stayed at something across town. It was totally ghetto: Bunk room shared with 7 other people. Shared facilities and dining area. It was great.
That afternoon, I went to the Vatican. It was quite opulent. I went up to the top of the Cupola, 577 steps or so, I don't recall the exact figure, but I did count every stair and the sign at the beginning was accurate in that the elevator would've saved me 300-some-odd steps, whatever that number was.
Vatican Square: 1 2 3 4. Interior. First step up to the Cupola. Dome. Last step up to the Cupola. Views from the top of the Cupola: 1 2 3.
After the Vatican, I went in search of a phone booth and a calling card so that I could call Tiffany and try to arrange to meet for dinner. Little did I know how hard that was going to be. So after stopping off form some gelatto (mmm delicious!), I went to Piazza Navona, which is famous for the shops and cafes nearby as well as the entertainment that can usually be found there, plus it was one of the places that Tiffany wanted to see again. Unfortunately, there was a heavy downpour on the way. But fortunately, I was able to buy an umbrella from one of the many sellers who popped up out of nowhere as soon as the first droplet hit the ground. I think I was supposed to leave a deposit in this fountain, or I never return to Rome. Oops.
Eventually, I was able to use a phone and I met Tiffany, as sick as a dog, at a restaurant just around the corner from her hotel. Nice food, nice wine, more gelatto. Nice conversation with the Irish couple seated next to us in the pouring rain. It was a fun experience. Not for Tiffany though as she couldn't keep her food down. She left the next morning for home, too sick to continue our trip. Poor girl. I was alone in Europe.
So the next day, I went to the Coliseum and got "suckered" into a tour group, but I have no complains except maybe the price. The tour guide was well-informed and was pretty funny. I learned a lot during the tour, but I've probably forgotten most of it by now. Got an outside shot, a couple 3 inside shots, and a picture of Constantine's Arch. The whole thing was very impressive. I cracked jokes to myself about Gladiator during the whole tour.
Then I headed eastward into the ruins of The Forum. The area was just amazing with all of the columns, statues, and remnants of it all. It was very picturesque that day.
After all this, I went on a walk to find The Pantheon. On my way I found this. Never found out quite what it was, but it's pretty. Then I finally found the Pantheon. I didn't know what it was at first because I kept seeing signs referencing St. Mary's or something. I'm like, this doesn't look like a cathedral or anything. But I was at the right place.
And now, in the interesting of getting this silly thing over with, I'll briefly summarize the rest of my trip back to San Diego:
Train back to Zurich to spend the night with Natalie again. Good German sausage at restaurant. Got Natalie drunk on accident. Headed out the next day and stayed with Tiff's mother in New York. We went to this play inspired by Billy Joel music. It was pretty good, but really just dancing and music, no like, acting or speaking or anything. Then I flew home to San Diego. Home sweet home.
*sigh* All. Done.