Spring Break Part 2 (Days 4,5,6)

Ciao Rome! 3 nights were all that was on the agenda for this lovely city and we hate to say goodbye. Fond memories were abundant as we look back on our 3-day Rome visit (Days 4, 5, and 6)

Day 4: Waking up early enough to actually catch our train, we made it to Rome on schedule. Overwhelmed and under-funded, we refueled on euro-menu McDonalds prior to adventuring into the city in hopes of locating our hotel. Wandering into the Santa Marria Magiore Piazza, we spotted our B&B on the corner in an incredible spot of real estate. After walking up 3 flights of stairs and checking in to the office, the manager told us to follow him. Which we did. Down the stairs. Outside. Across the street. Down 4 blocks. Nowhere near the hotel we booked. I was ready to plan some passive-aggressive retaliation fueled by the hearty deceit, but my anger was quickly suppressed upon exploring our new residence. Looking around the room I am now sitting in, it is superb. Clean, spacious room with a huge bed, nice furnishings, wireless internet, and great security. While misled by my internet booking, the deception was a positive one, leaving us with an outstanding hotel across the street from the train station and metro hub.

Then the site-seeing began. Stop one: The Colosseum. Incredible. It gave us goosebumps walking through the chilly halls that contain so much history. We overlooked the arena trying to imagine the unimaginable things that happened in such a place. Blank stares and hundreds of photos later, however, it was time to move on. Next stop: Arch of Constantine.

After seeing the magnificent structure, we set off to explore the Roman Forum. Not knowing much about Roman history, we struggled to locate the exacts sites. After some trial and error, however, we found the entrance and explored the ruins. Mixed with feelings of awe and amazement, we headed up Palantine Hill for a new adventure. Needless to say, we were jealous of the emperors who once resided on that very hill.

Time had gone so quickly that we failed to acknowledge the security guard as he told us it was closing time. After being chased down, however, we left in search of dinner. We had luck this night. We found an authentic Italian restaurant with delicious food for only 15 euros. What could top that? GELATO! The gelato was excellent, especially being enjoyed while strolling past the moonlit Colosseum. And think...we could have been in Cedar Falls, Iowa? I think we made the right choice.

Day 5:

This was the morning in which we got to sleep in. After feeling guilty for missing crucial sightseeing hours in Rome, however, we hopped up and got to work. On todays agenda was Vatican City. Entering through the museum, we explored the different ages of Catholic artwork, working our way towards Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel. By far one of the greatest masterpieces of the world, this chapel could have been admired for days. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed, but Steph and I tried anyway. Our success is yet to be discovered, seeing as how we have yet to analyze our pictures. Keeping our fingers crossed.

From the strenuous museum, we went to St. Peters Square to take a break. Sitting on the steps surrounding the Cathedral, we enjoyed Ringo Cookies and Ritz Crackers and watched the pigeons frolic about, occasionally throwing a cracker or two their way. After a nice rest in the beautiful square, we entered St. Peter's Basilica. The magnificence of such a place is surely not needed. Any building in which Michaelangelo's Pieta can blend in is too lavish.

Always ones to make our families proud, we decided to attend mass in the Basilica. I figure if we're going to ever go to mass, why not go in the greatest cathedral in the world? Singing in Italian in the headquarters of Catholicism was a very humbling and peaceful experience. Receiving communion in such a holy place was beyond words. Donating 19 cents was embarrassing yet well-intentioned.

Our prayers must have fallen on deaf ears, however, seeing as how dinner went. After a long, romantic night stroll across the city, we were starving and looking for good food. We found a place, that appeared to be local, with reasonable prices and edible food. We were quickly ushered in and seated with special English-only menus. I began to worry as I saw them take a roll from a 8-pack plastic bag and put it into a bowl for our gourmet bread. Things only got worse.

I remembered Rick Steves speak of places that don't even have true kitchens, so I intently wandered the vicinities with my eyes, only to find no obvious kitchen and no discernible kitchen staff. Then I saw the worst sight I could have seen: 3 microwaves. Not hidden very well from the public, the microwaves were being used to cook our food. Before telling Steph, she asked me if I heard a microwave ding. I said yes, but before she could respond, our food was on the table. Needless to say, our food was cold in the center, and we had just spent 15 euros on microwave frozen pasta. It was our National Lampoon's European Vacation moment.

Day 6:

We needed to be at a church about 20 minutes away between 7 and 8:30 this morning in order to pick up tickets I had purchased to see the pope. I looked at my alarm clock in the morning, and it was 8:10. Without missing a beat I hopped out of bed, got dressed and ran out the door. Sprinting through Rome, I was lucky to have already gotten a feel for the city and grown accustom to crossing the congested streets. Making it to the church at about 8:20, I found the doors locked and no one in sight. Panicking, I pulled out my Rick Steves book and discovered that the chapel opened at 9. Waiting around, I entered the chapel and got my hands on the tickets in enough time to go get Steph and make it across town to the Vatican City by the Pope's 10:30 appearance and blessing.

Seeing the pope and being a member of the audience was absolutely incredible. While not intimate, the masses surrounding the pope gave him their utmost attention and listened to every word being given. It was beyond words as he came around in his corny popemobile with his outstretched arms. While Pope Benedict and I may not see eye-to-eye on many issues, well most every issue actually, he is still the pope, and it was honor to be in his presence.

The rest of the day and night was spent criss-crossing town seeing everything we had yet to see: from the Trevi fountain to St. Peter in Chains, we finished off our Rome trip by tying any lose knots. We got gelato again, making it at least one gelato for every day, a record I am very proud of. After finishing all the sights and wrapping up our trip, Steph bought a donut bigger than her head and we went up the Spanish Steps to enjoy it overlooking the beautiful city. Whether or not sugar covered dough is the best way to enjoy Rome is undecided, but one thing is for sure. This city was one that we will forever remember. Whether for the microwaved lasagna or the peaceful walks through lamp-flooded streets, Rome truly was a beautiful city that deserved more time.