From riches to rubble....

Rome was full of the most fascinating history and the most delicious food.  My first day I got in around 4 and figured I would go get some food from the grocery store and hang out by a fountain, my snack consisted of rice cakes and nutella :) I watched the tourists and just relaxed.  I stayed at a hostel called Alessandro Downtown... such a nice hostel, and at this hostel there was free meals at 7pm.  So my first evening I attended and met a lot of really welcoming, nice people.  One of which I spent the majority of my time with, his name was Joe... another Aussie.  I seem to get a long great with those guys!  So the first night we went and got some drinks and walked down to the Colosseum and drank them (this was a huge group of us).  In Rome, you can drink on the streets... it's kind of like Vegas, but not as disgusting and party oriented.  I was in awe over the Colosseum, it was so remarkable, especially at night.  Everything in Rome is oversized and beautiful.  The next morning I headed out on my own to visit the Colosseum in the daylight.  The lines were insane but I finally made it in and walked around for awhile reading about how the Romans demolished animals and prisoners, chopping them to pieces and watching animals tear each other apart... I was pretty disgusted by the time I got out of there.  The architecture itself was gorgeous and well worth the wait.  Afterward I headed out to the ruins (Roman Forum) and got lost for about 3 hours!  Needless to say I was in a huge need of food and rest.  I instead walked around the Piazza Venezia, which was intense and I dont really think I paid it the attention it deserved.  I finally walked around and found a nice place to eat where I enjoyed a BLT and an Italian waiter that wanted to talk to me about the sharks in California.  I laughed as he brought up Florida as well... two very different states, so I couldnt find the reason he found them to be in common with each other.  After my meal I trekked over to the Trevi Fountain which is so outstanding and OVERCROWDED.  Talk about claustrophobia!  I took my photos and got out, got on the metro and headed back to meet up with my new Aussie friend.  I was lucky enough to be placed in a room with all boys, which we all know how I am with girls so it was nice to be in a comfortable situation for me where I could be myself and joke around with all of them.  Two of the boys were American and from Chicago, I told them all about my fam and Wheaton, it was good to relate.  We all went out once again to celebrate my birthday (at midnight)  After dinner and watching the futbol game at a hole in the wall Irish Pub we walked the streets back to the hostel, only to run into a group of Dutch people who sang to me their traditional song for Happy Birthday.  I was impressed and felt very lucky.  By the way, thank you to all of you who called/texted/messaged me.  On my birthday I headed to the Vatican/St. Peter's Square... sooooooooooooo extravagant and absolutely breath taking.  Joe was our tour guide because he had already been earlier in the week.  Michael Angelo was one of the hardest workers that ever lived.  He actually started doing the Sistine Chapel when he was only 25... I dont know any 25 y/0 that has the patience or the determination to work that hard.  Inside the chapel you arent supposed to talk or take photos but EVERYONE was... it was a little annoying, but I couldnt help myself, I took photographs.  The huge ceilings in the church were so overwhelming and massive that I was silent during my walk through.  The letters that line the ceiling are an estimated 2 meters tall at the front and a dramatic 4 meters at the very head of it.... 4 meters!!!! So intense.  We all went to a little local restaurant that had the most phenomenal gnocchi I have ever tasted.  Then off to more walking and exploring of the city, we went and saw the Castel Sant Angelo and the Spanish Steps.  We didnt venture inside because I honestly think there could be too much to see in Rome.  I was so exhausted.  Overall Roma is an absolutely unforgettable place and I had a blast.  I met some really great people that I hope to keep in touch with as well and I cant wait to cross paths with again.