Roma! Even though I considered myself an Italian afficionato after studying abroad in Ferrara, Italy and traveling the country for 5 months or so, I hadn't been to Rome since I visited Southern Italy with my parents the summer before my freshman year of high school. Needless to say, Megan was also really looking forward to experiencing the history and the country within the country, Vatican City, so I seriously looked forward to experiencing this city sans-parentals! Plus, although this is a very large city with an overwhelming number of things to see and visit, it is still a city you can WALK. I love not having to rely on another form of transportation and just experiencing the random streets of the city while attempting to find your hostel...little did I know I would become the official and "tour guide" for a good amount of people later in that trip! More to come...
Finding our hostel was similar to getting up on the right side of the bed in the morning...just a good start. Situated near the historical center, we dropped our bags (where they were immediately "disinfected," aka sprayed with something? didn't realize I've reached "dirty traveler" status!) and walked towards the, oops wrong way, okay NOW towards the Coliseum! I hate to see it but...been there, done that. The Coliseum is truly an impressive structure but there are soooo many tourists that it really takes away the grandeur of the monument and instead makes it feel "DisneyWorld"ish. I wonder exactly how many backgrounds of Asian tourists' pictures I will actually be in. I wager it is a larger number than either you or I would guess. So we joined in, posed in front of the former gladiator ring (did you know it was common to give mercy to gladiators and they didn't really kill for sport except during the Dark Ages? Sorry, Russel Crowe) and Constantine's Arch. Although we did not mimic many European teenagers who have been continuously posing, Vogue-style, in front of historical monuments and picturesque backgrounds. What happened to just smiling or posing Vanna-White-style? More on this to come, I'm sure. We walked around by the Circus Maximus and then to a great spot overseeing the Roman Forum where we did NOT want to pay to go inside. This view was the best you could get though, so score. Then off again, passing Trajan's Column and wandering back towards our hostel where we chilled at the coffee spot across the street. The espressos in Italy are my favorite, just make as long as you don't mistake the espresso shot for an actual shot--like I did the first time I ordered an espresso-- and they are the perfect pick-me-up during the day.
Ready to experience the nightlife of the city, we went and ate some apperitivo which was essentially a buffet of finger foods with a large beer. Having forgotten my wallet (it happens), we returned to the hostel and proceeded in making friends with the groups of people that were hanging in the kitchen and common areas...mutually agreeing that tonight we are all going out and might as well find a fun place and walk together! Yeah! Okay, finishing up drinks...let's go! So we all kind of walk and talk, nobody walking in any particular direction so I look down at my map and yell "Follow me!" not realizing that my phenomenal map reading skills would ensure me being the pub crawl guide for the rest of the evening, if not the rest of the trip. Just like my mom always says: A job done well gets another job. Mothers are always right. And soo...off to the Trevy Fountain! Success...off to the Scholars Lounge! Seriously success. Ended up playing fun drinking games and making bfftn (best friends for the night) with a few hostel peeps. Definitely a fun time! Somehow, someway, I also successfully navigated the way back to the hostel (true skillz, yo) so, go me.
The rest of the trip consisted of touring the Vatican City (doesn't go well with hangover) where we got a guided tour in order to skip the line and then STILL had to wait in line in the "tour group" line. Woof. Avoided rain showers, yet again, drank coffee, wandered the streets, got ready for night number two. FREE spaghetti night! Of course it would be a great time! The spaghetti was delizzioso (I think it tasted better because it was free, you know how those things go) and I drank a taste of some Chilean liquor called Pisco which is DELICIOUS as well (and also free) and then I pointed out that I knew where a dive bar nearby was...signing on as tour guide for night numero dos. Dive bar found,aka Goldmine in Rome without the dance floor, where we had flaming Dr Peppers! Yes, please. Next stop was across the street where we had to ring a bell before being admitted and then had to become part of the "club" receiving a membership card to the "Darts Club" where Megan promptly declared she was horrible at darts simultaneously scoring a bullseye. Girl. Power! Up again early-ish, Pantheon, pope socks, and gelato in our future. Dominated the old town on foot and EARNed that gelato though, thankyouverymuch. Italian dinner tonight nearby our hostel, and a nice nights' sleep attempting to catch up on blogging (not working, but trying!) before getting ready for tomorrow's FLIGHT to Parisss and train to La Rochelle where we rendezvous with French pal Pierre and his Frenchie buddies! And we thought we had partied in Rome...
