When in Rome...

...don't wear yourself out! As you've already read, today was a long and full day. I took lots and lots and a few more pictures, but I'm only going to post as many as I can with this weak internet connection we've managed to find. Crossing my fingers, the airport called the hotel and told them my luggage would be here tonight...probably in the middle of the night, but I've been waking up regularly at about 4 AM anyways...wide awake! That explains the two hour naps I've been taking.

Well, my favorite thing today was probably either the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain. It was huge! Also, not on our schedule, we were dropped off for dinner right by the Aura Paccis (sp?), a large Marble sculpture dedicated to Ceasar Augustus. I remember studying all of these things in Art History...

Anyways, yesterdays visit to the Vatican Museums was amazing, and I can't believe the amount of art that is there. I could spend 2 or 3 days in there alone and not see everything. Crazy!

The people here on the trip are a lot of fun and are just the nicest people. I feel very lucky to be sharing the experience with all of them.

Okay, enough talking...here are some pictures:

Handstands at the Colosseum 

 

Trevi Fountain

More pictures!

B and Leslie in front of some remaining columns.

B helped our guide, Gabriella, by holding the Collette flag. :-P

B enjoyed her pizza!

Leslie liked the pizza too!

The Trevi Fountain

Rome wasn't built in a day...

....but it felt like we saw it all in one day! Talk about a whirlwind day...we had a long one today. We started at the catacombs of St. Calisto and walked through the underground burial of thousands of early Christians. The tombs were pretty interesting, but a bit eerie knowing that so many people had been buried there. There are no longer remains in the part that is open to the public, but the holes still remain in the walls. I am very glad that there was electricity down there. It would have been extremely dark otherwise. Our guide underground gave us a quick speech before we went down. Leslie has that taped and might post it later.

After the catacombs, we went to see the Colosseum. It was AMAZING! Sorry I didn't have a picture of all three of us at the Colosseum, but I know that Leslie or B has one (we went picture crazy). I can't really put into words how unbelievably advanced the Romans were in their architecture. The floor of the Colosseum is no longer there because it was made of wood and covered in sand, but you can see what would be like under a stage. There are many rooms where gladiators prepared and animals were kept before their appearance in the arena. Also, this section was connected to the gladiator school outside of the Colosseum.

After that, we drove a bit and then got off the bus for a walking tour. We visited the Trevi Fountain and threw in our two coins each (to find true love - look out boys). Gabriella, our guide, said that we could get rid of our husbands if we threw 3 coins. Ha! We had a little bit of time to walk around and shop. I bought a jacket for myself that says ITALIA on it and one for my brother. Sorry Justin, it's not a soccer jersey, but I think you'll like it. If not, too bad...that's all you get. :-P We also stopped for some delicious authentic Italian pizza and Cokes. Yummy! After the Trevi Fountain, we walked through some more historic sites. We visited that and then the Piazza Navona. This is a huge plaza in the shape of a typical oblong stadium. Also, for those of you Dan Brown fans, this was the fountain that Tom Hanks jumped into to save the cardinal in Angels and Demons. Like the nerd I am, I was excited when I saw this fountain. We walked and walked and walked and walked around what seemed to be the whole city of Rome and we saw a lot of awesome sites. We're heading out for dinner shortly and then tomorrow we head to the Amalfi coast.

Ciao for now!

Its B Here-What a day it was! We visited some of the most famous spots in the World today as Lauren and Leslie have already told you. It was amazing to see what has lasted hundreds of years and all the history that goes with it. The Sistine chapel and St. Peters are beautiful. We have lots of pictures to share and some great pieces of information that our tour guide, Gabriella shared with us. Can you believe that there are 4 million people that live in Rome...and 1 million of them ride on scooters! We also got to do a little shopping and had a bite for lunch before we headed back to our hotel. We decided that tonight's dinner would be the famous Italian gelato and it was totally worth it. Were off to bed for the evening since its about 10:30 local time. Hopefully well share again tomorrow.

Leslie's Rome - Day 1

First of all, I am bummed that my luggage still isnt here. I packed my mom bags and I feel worthless without them. Fortunately, I have proved helpful, because I am able to give Lauren and B a little Art History about the places we have seen. I almost cried when I saw the Sistene Chapel today, and did a happy dance when I saw the Laocoon. Hooray :)

This internet connection is kind of slow, seeing as we are getting it for free with a weak signal..better than nothing! That means no pictures from me. Sorry 'bout your luck.

Tomorrow is the big tour of all the other sights. We did things a little out of order, because tomorrow is a Catholic holiday, and the Pope will be giving a service at the Vatican. Therefore, we went today since it will be closed to tourists and crowded with people for services. I am going to log off so B can post and/or check her email, and hopefully when I go down to the front desk, there will be a suitcase waiting for me. Ciao! Arrivederci!

ROMA!

Lauren here - We're here in Rome on our second night in the hotel. Yesterday was a whirl wind travel experience. It took us an hour to get our luggage and then Leslie's never came. She's still without her suitcase tonight. Hopefully she'll get it soon (prayers are welcome!) - I know she's a bit upset that she has to borrow clothes. Thankfully I'm not the size of a gorilla, and she can wear some of my clothes. B is also sharing some things, since she's like our sister and all. Last night was a little meet and greet at the hotel and then we boarded a HUGE bus that took us to dinner near Rome's version of the Supreme Court. We enjoyed a 4 course meal which included an appetizer plate, pasta plate, main entree, and dessert. Plus we had wine and champagne and we were serenaded by an Italian man on his keyboard. He sang some classics and we sang along after a few glasses of wine. It was a nice dinner and a great chance to share some stories with fellow tour goers. We found a group of teachers (a few retired) from Dallas and obviously we are the troublemakers. Leslie, B, and I are clearly the youngest on the tour, with the exception of a girl who is here as a college graduation gift.

Today, we went to Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) and toured with our Rome guide, Gabriella. She was very good and funny also. We went through the Vatican museum and saw hundreds of marble sculptures. Leslie was giddy the whole time with excitement over the sculptures. We saw a few famous pieces like the Pieta, the Laocoon, the Torso, a large bronze statue of Hercules. There was also a large stone basin that was found in Emperor Nero's home that was a fountain. It was ridiculously huge (probably the size of our little swimming pool). We also walked through the Sistine Chapel. Of course, you can't take pictures of the ceiling or anything, and they really want you to be silent as you walk through. The guards kept shushing the crowds. It was pretty busy today because everything was closed yesterday (Sunday) and tomorrow is a holiday so it will be closed tomorrow also. The pope will be presiding over a service.

Tomorrow we're off to see the historic sites of ancient Rome. Hopefully we'll be able to blog some more. I found a wireless connection that goes in and out so posts may be few and far between but we will do our best. Ciao!

In less than 48 hours....

...we will be in Italy! Okay, so we'll be Italy-bound....en route...in the plane...but, I can't believe it! That is craziness you're talking!

I don't know about Lauren and Brittany, but I am starting to get the nervous-excited-can't believe its almost here jitters....I can't imagine what will happen if I ever get married, this excitement over Italy is almost too much to handle...HA!

Today I finished up my final purchases of anything I might need while I am there. You need it, I'll have it...in my mom bag. Well more like, mom luggage. But thats okay, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it :) To quote Scar, "Be prepared!!!"

I also have located Gerome...he's easy to pack for...as in...he's easy to pack. He'll be making the trip comfortable in my purse or backpack, or whatever carry-on I choose. Be on the lookout for his pictures :) I hope to get him with a handsome friend we like to call Michelangelo's David... as well as all the other major sites we're going to be seeing (that I am allowed to photograph - sorry, no Sistine chapel pictures...major No-No)

Here's hoping that the next time I post, I will either be en-route OR already in Italy! Ciao for now! Bella Notte!

Packin Rules

As we are packing, or were planning to pack, we had to keep in mind some certain guidelines...

Less than a week....

Happy Father's Day! Lauren, Brittany and I are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Saturday! Our adventures begin at 7:20 PM when we take off for Zurich, then Rome. Brittany is flying in around 1:15 and then we'll kill some time with my parents in Chicago before we head off.

Lauren and I have already packed...for the most part. I have some laundry left to do and then I will unpack and repack like the OCD traveler that I am. Lauren will be bringing her little Netbook along with us on the trip, so hopefully it will cooperate and allow us to update daily with pictures and (hopefully) entertaining stories for you all back here in the states.

Until then, CIAO!