Ciao Italia

Well, I just returned from Italy, where I have been since last Friday. I arrived in Rome on Friday night and met my friend Amy. We went to stay with a guy from our school that is studying in Rome. It was nice to see her as it has been awhile.

The next morning, we got up and went to the Vatican. We payed 40 Euro to get a group tour through the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide was a 22 year old woman from America who wants to get her citizenship in Italy. Basically, she was the worst tour guide ever, getting her facts mixed up or making things up. There were several occasions where it was blatantly obvious she knew nothing. But the Sistine Chapel was amazing. Unfortunately we could not stay in there very long as it was closing and we could not take pictures either. The paintings on the ceiling were so awesome to look at. Then we went to the Basilica and it was THE most amazing church I have ever been in. It even beat out the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, although they are not compatible. But the inside was so cool. We even saw the tomb of Pope John Paul II. It was neat to see all of the people praying and crying next to his tomb because they loved him so much.

After the Vatican, Amy and I went to have pizza at this nice restaurant and then went to get gelato (which equals AMAZING-NESS!) I love gelato! We then went to the Coliseum and took the audio tour. I was so impressed by the Coliseum and its history, but I thought it was going to be bigger. But it was still cool. I am so happy that I made it there.

That night, we went out and and saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It was really cool to see at night. The next day, we got up and went to the train station and went to Florence. Amy and I traveled for 4 hours on this train and finally made it to Florence, where we stayed at Amy's apartment with Caitlin and all of her roommates. Florence was a really cool city. Sadly there was nothing major to do or see, except the statue of David (which I didn't see because it cost so much to see). But I went out for gelato everyday I was there, which was delicious.

On Tuesday, I went to the train station with Caitlin and Amy as I was going to take a day trip by myself to Cortona (a quaint little Italian town, as seen in "Under the Tuscan Sun"). I was really excited to see this little town. So I bought my ticket and Caitlin said, "There is the train you need to get on." So I got on it and as soon as the doors closed, the announcer said that it was a direct train to Rome! Which means that there were no stops where I need and I couldn't get off the train. Basically, I was on the wrong train. So the ticket man came around and almost fined me 200 Euro for being on the wrong train, but somehow let me slide. So I got to Rome and had to buy another ticket back to Florence. I sat in the train station for an hour and a half and finally got back on the train, which took another four hours. So I didn't get to see Cortona, and had to enjoy a smelly train for 7 hours in one day. FUN! But it could have been worse. I just had to laugh about it when it was all over. It's a great little story to tell in the future.

On Thursday, Amy and Caitlin and I woke up at 5 in the morning to take the train to Pisa and to then fly back to London. Right now, the three of us, along with the two guys from school who we stayed with in Rome are here. I am showing them around town before I start my internship this week.

Pictures will be up soon!

Cheers,

Justin