Last Day in Roma!

Pictures Coming Soon
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Ciao Tutti,

Today was my last full day in Rome.  I have been planning on making the most out of this day for the past few weeks.  I woke up early in the morning and went to Saint Peter's Basilica.

Then, I went and had gelato at "Old Bridge Gelato" by the Vatican.  It is one of the places that has the "Best Gelato in Rome," thus I had to try it.  For 1.50 euro, I got a cup of gelato bigger than anything I get for 2 euros.  They also give you three flavors instead of two for their "small size."  I picked chocolate and nutella and asked the guy to give me whatever he recommends.  He gave me a ricotta flavored gelato - it tasted just like ricotta.  Normally I like ricotta, but ricotta gelato did not exactly sound right!

After gelato, I went to my favorite panini shop in Rome to grab my last panini.  I ordered a turkey, eggplant, and sundried tomato panini with a pesto sauce.  Then, I went to Piazza Navona and had a picnic.  I listened to the street musicians and people watched.  So many people looked at me with sandwich envy - it was great!  Then, I walked around Piazza Navona for a bit.  They were setting up a stage for a concert, it looked pretty intense.

Then, I went to grab an espresso at the coffee shop with the "Best Espresso in Rome," Caffe Sant'Eustacio.  It hit the spot...as usual!

Then, I went to the Pantheon to see it one last time.  The huge gaping hole in the ceiling never gets old!

After the Pantheon, I walked to the Trevi Fountain.  I threw the coin over my left shoulder to ensure my return to Rome (again, for good measure).

Then, I walked to the Spanish Steps and sat on them as I called my Dad for 10 minutes.

Then, I took the Metro to the Colosseum.  I didn't go in, but I walked around it.

After the Coloseum, I saw the Arc of Constantine.

Then, I walked up to a lookout point that has a view of the Roman Forum.

After, I went to the Campidoglio which was a piazza that Michelangelo designed.

Then, I went to take a picture in front of the Wedding Cake (aka "Il Vittoriano) at Piazza Venezia.

Then, I went to my second favorite church in Rome (next to Saint Peters Basilica  - yes, I know its in Vatican City), Chiesa del Gesu.  It was the first Jesuit church and has an amazing painted ceiling that looks like it is made out of sculptures!

After, I went to Largo Argentina to see those ruins for one last time.

Then, I went to Teatro del Gelato for my final gelato in Rome.  It is my favorite gelato in Rome, too, which is good because it was right by my apartment!

Then, I went home to relax for a bit and pack.  Up to that point, I walked 10.2 kilometers or 6.34 miles!  I call that going out with a bang!

After relaxing for a bit, I went out to my favorite restaurant, Monte Carlo Pizzeria, for my last meal in Rome.  Monte Carlo is the first restaurant my Dad and I ate at when we were exploring Rome when I first got to the city.  Talk about bringing it full circle.  I had a potato croquette, pizza, tirimisu, coke, and some wine.  It was great!

After dinner, I walked to Piazza Navona to say good bye.  It was having a political rally for gay and lesbian rights with a band.  It was the first time I've seen an actual band with special effects performing in Piazza Navona.

Then, I went and took some pictures of Castel Sant'Angelo and Saint Peters Dome at night before finally heading back to my apartment to finish packing.

I leave for the airport tomorrow morning at 6:45 AM.  My flight is at 10:20 AM and gets in at 1:55 PM.  It shouldn't be too bad.

Ciao,
Michael

Rome as a Tourist: Part II

Hi All!

Welcome to my new blog. I hope that you find this one a bit easier to follow. Before updating you on the past week, I want to go over the features of the new blog. On the right, you will find a few interesting links to my bucket list, IES Abroad, and two travel companies - Euroadventures and Bus2Alps. You can also subscribe to my blog via e-mail by putting your e-mail address in the "Follow by E-Mail". If you do this, you will receive an e-mail any time I update this blog. Finally, I have links to all my pictures on the right, so you can get a better idea of where I've been and what I've done. I hope this blog will enable me to post a bit more spontaneously and frequently as well.

Changing topics completely, last Thursday was Italy's 150th Anniversary of being a united country. This meant my favorite three words in the Italian lanuage - "non c'e scuola" - or "no school.". To celebrate, many of the museums in Rome were free. I took advantage of this by going to the first public museum ever created - the Capitoline Museum. It was comprised of a bunch of pieces of art donated to the city of Rome by the Catholic Church. It was huge! It had the famous statue of Romulus and Reamulus drinking milk from the she-wolf - I'd heard so much about it and was so happy to be able to finally see it. The museum also had amazing views of the Roman Forum!

On Friday, I took a tour of the Vatican Museum - it cost me €40 but was so worth it. I got to cut the four hour line and a phenomenal tour. I would not have been able to navigate the museum on my own, either. It has 1,200 rooms and 18 kilometers of hallways! We got to see the Belvedere Torso, Laocoon and his Sons, the Map Rooms, Raphael's Frescos, the Sistine Chapel, and the Last Judgement! It was an amazing experience. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and the Last Judgement were my favorite, though. I'd heard so much about them, but words cannot do it justice. Also, my tour guide put them into context which helps you appreciate them even more! I put the link to the tour group on the right - When In Rome Tours.

Friday night, we went to an area of Rome called Testaccio. It is a bunch of old warehouses they turned into bars. It was the home to quite a nightlife, though. I was happy because it was the first time I've gone anywhere at night that was not dominated by American students. One of the bars was even playing Italian dance music! I had a great time.

I spent the day on Saturday trying to study (even though none got done) and I couldn't do anything on Sunday because the Rome Marathon shut down the city.

My next post will be about midterm week in Rome - fun!