When in Rome, Do as the Roman's Do!

I spent the wonderfully rainy day exploring the ancient city of Rome, and man is it beautiful (and old). We got off to a rather late start, but we managed to figure out the bus system to get into the city (since our hotel is so far outside of it). When we got to the train station, we got off and exchanged money and then had to go about finding an ATM and a bathroom. It sort of took awhile, but at least it was inside.

On the way to find the blue tour bus, we ran into people asking if we wanted to go on a bus. I asked him where the blue one was, and he said he would take us. He was probably in his late 20's early 30's. Really nice guy! He told us the blue one would take 30 minutes to wait on, but the green one only 15. He let us cut the lines to by the tickets from the office and then showed us to where the bus picked up. Before leaving us, he came up to me and said "Enjoy Rome. We love the pretty American girls so keep coming back!" I was very flattered. Apparently his girlfriend was from Canada. We had to wait at the bus stop FOREVER. Pop couldn't sit at the top (plus it was raining) and everyone was getting on there. I was getting kind of antsy since it was already 12, but we finally made it.

Our first stop was the Roman Colosseum. It was incredible. Huge, and so much of it still intact. It was wonderful to see because I had learned a lot about it in theatre history, and I bought the audio tour so that I got some extra details. It was just really amazing. I wanted to go on Palentine hill, but the grandparents couldn't walk up it so I ran over. Climbed up the hill (backwards since I went through the exit), and then found out it was a dead end, so no good view, but I didn't want to leave them waiting too long, so I left. Found out later I was on the hill by the Forum and the other hill was on the opposite side of the Colosseum. Next we stopped at a staircase that Michael Angelo built, which was by an ancient theatre. You couldn't go in because it was just the remains of the shell, but I was absolutely enthralled none the less. I also saw the oldest four sided porch communal area. It was just SO cool to see all the remains everywhere. They city is just so ancient, it feels like going back in history.

Next we went to the Vatican. We got there sort of late in the day, so there was not enough time for me to go in (doing that tomorrow). But we did a lot of window shopping and had lunch at a little sandwich shop. We then hopped on the bus and went to the stop I had been waiting for...the Trevi fountain. Yes, it was very packed, and raining, but I threw a coin in, AND I felt like Lizzie Mcguire! Oh that movie... I also got gelato (Melon flavored since that what Lydian said was the best. And it was good.). Finally we got back on the bus back to the first stop to get on the city bus to go home. We took a quick break in the rooms and ate dinner in the hotel...and man are they SLOW! The food isn't even that good, but it took like an hour to get it with about 4 other people in the whole place.

Well, exploring more of Rome tomorrow (probably the vatican and shopping). It's going to be my last day abroad (well, for awhile). CrAZY It's all coming to an end....