Letters From Rome pt. 1
I have been in Rome since December 24th, after supposing to have arrived on the 23rd (See: Open Letter to Iberia) This has by far been one of the better trips I have made in my time in Europe. An enjoyable environment with food for the stomach, sights for the eyes, and the best variety of people visiting I have ever seen, but I digress.
Primo Giorno – Day One
After arriving and getting settled into my mother’s Aunt’s apartment located on Via di Porta Angelica. We decided to walk towards St. Peter’s Basilica, a whopping 2 minute walk.
My friends have expressed their jealousy of this time and time again, I still simply consider myself lucky.
After a quick walk around the square we hopped on back to the apartment for dinner. Later, we both prepared ourselves to attend “Midnight” Mass. In reality it finished around midnight, the mass began at 10PM. I took my seat little realizing I was seated next to the Ambassador of Sweden to the Holy See, a really kind gentleman.
Mass proceeded as normal, so I thought until I got home that evening and read that the Pope had been attacked by a mentally unstable young lady. I had no idea what the gasps and further applause were until reading the news.
Otherwise, that quite concludes day one.
Sleep.
Secondo Giorno – Day 2
Christmas Day! Sleep in, wake up late, and enjoy the fruits of Rome. That was the plan for the day! And man did it turn out well. After walking around the square with my aunt, we parted ways as I went out on foot to see what I could find.
Now, I have always been an advocate of what I call. “getting-lost tourism”. I don’t plan out an exact route, just a general idea of what I want to see, then find the alleyways to get there and see where I end up.
It’s the best way to see a city.
I passed by Castel Sant’ Angelo, as it is such a great place with much history. Unfortunately the interor was closed. It is Christmas after all.
After walking around town a bit, it’s time to head back for dinner. We go to her favorite restaurant Roberto’s (good luck linking that one up). I order Gnocci just to spite my brother, it’s his favorite Italian dish. For second course, lamb. I’m going to skip the details on the food here simply because words won’t be able to describe how content I was.
Instead here’s a picture of the gnocci:
So yeah it was good!
Later that night I met up with my friend Marisa, from Spain who happened to be staying in a hotel just around the corner with her family. She has a DSLR, better than my P.O.S. Nikon Coolpix…(nothing against Nikon). I managed to take about 150 shots in just about an hour, surpassing what I’ve taken in 4 current days, as soon as I get some photos I’ll put them up. We walked around, took pictures and had a plain ‘ol good time.
Sleep.
Terzo Giorno – Day 3
Today’s Mission – Trevi Fountain & the Pantheon
I woke up to a very, very rainy day. It didn’t much please me for a day I figured I would be walking around a lot. Sure enough I just donned my rain jacket and hit the streets. I was rather surprised to find how many tourists were out despite the rain. I trekked through the streets and the alleyways to arrive at the Pantheon.
Much to my avail, it was closed. Granted it is the day after Christmas, but I figured a church would be open. Turns out it isn’t. Therefore, it was time to take a couple quick pictures of the outside and head off to the Trevi fountain.
More alleyways and sights to see on the way there. The best part is that when you’re walking in all of these alleys you find the best shops. Clothes, wine, chocolate, restaurants with maybe the best food you will ever find, and all of it is right there within reach (if you have the money. Not me). I arrived at the fountain and there it was in all it’s splendor.
I personally never understood why people spend 30 minutes, an hour, multiple hour, viewing sculptures, architecture, art, etc. My opinion is that when you see it you see it. Check the details that matter to you and move on.
I snapped my photos of the fountain, saw the horses, the sculptures and the intricacy of the designs in the columns. I then made my way home. I didn’t want to be in the rain, my feet were wet, and I was starting to get hungry. All of those combined were about to make one grumpy Greg.
I went home and had dinner. This made me happy.
Sleep.
Cuarto Giorno – Day 4 Getting lost at it’s finest
I decided that today was a good day to go visit the Colosseum. My aunt told me that near there was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Forum.
I arrived on the bus at around noon. Saw what needed to be seen, like I said I’m a quick tourist, it makes me sad sometimes because I see things way too fast for my own good. Which in the end makes my writing seem non-descriptive but hey, if you don’t like it, don’t read.
Therefore, here’s another picture.
I then made my way to the Colosseum after going out the back way of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This made me lost. I actually managed to go off of the small map I had. I’m glad I have a good sense of direction. I was forced to walk all the way around the forum, and walk half way back to where I came to get to the Colosseum.
Now, I don’t like paying for archaeological sites (or any museum, site, anything really), so I didn’t go inside. I was forced by my own conscience to enjoy the Colosseum from the outside.
I then proceded to walk 45 minutes home.
Dinner.