Day One
I stepped off the plane at 10.30 am tuesday morning in Rome the heat hit me straight away as it was already 28deg. I was dreading this next bit, getting to the hostel, but it all was very easy, a bus to the train station and a short walk to my hostel which was litterally up the road.
I arrived at the hostel and went to check in but was told to come back at 3pm, so I left my bags hired a small safe to lock my valubles, grabbed my map and went to go play getting lost! I decided not to go far I had forgot sun block on and was already burning to I found a cafe relaxed for while. I went back to the hostel to check in. I was given my card and told the TOP floor. Unfortunatly the stupid guy had told me the wrong number so I had to walk back down 4 flights of stairs to reception to get the right number, let me tell you this was not fun. I spent the first night in chatting to numerous other travellers in the kitchen. At around 10 pm we were told one of the in things to do was to drink n chat at the spanish steps, so a group of about 8 of us headed there. I decided to be wise so I stayed off the wine, but it was really good having a laugh outside til 3am.
Day Two
I didn't sleep well last night. The beds were really uncomfortable and some one was snoring. I discovered this morning how cheap a hostel it was. I would not wash a dog in the shower rooms, that bad! They are disgusting and we have noticed that apparently 28 people are suposed to share 2 toilets, well thats if they are full anyway. This morning I met a fellow traveller called Zita from the uk and two other people from Auz and we left to get the train to Vatican City about 30 mins away. It was a totally amzing day, I saw the Pope do mass, he went by me in his Pope car waving to us. Someone in the crowd tried to Jump at the Pope (stupid crazy guy, as the police punched him to the ground and took him away instantly). The ques to the Vatican museam was a 4 hour wait so we headed to the Castle on the river then had lunch. The que was then only 1/2 hour, not so bad. This was defiantly the most amazing place ever. You first go through corridors of really beautiful paintings, canvases and artwork which tells you various stories of the bible etc etc I was totally gobsmaked at the Sistene Chapel, the walls and ceilings are all just fantastic, I was totally blown away. We finished our visit with a stop at St Peters Basillica, again, wow words cannot explain it, totally gorgeous. It was definatly an amazing day, one I shall never forget. We were knackered so we decided to eat in the hostel and made pasta between the four of us. I chatted until 2 am when I couldnt keep my eyes open anymore.
Day Three
I had a long sleep and didn't wake until the cleaner woke me up at 10.30. Me and Zita had breakfast and decided to have a slow day, we first went to the Pantheon, the largest Dome in the world to be man made. Then to the Trevi fountain, I left her then to explore on my own. I went to numerous sqaures with many different fountains, can't possibly name them all and then hit the shops. Sadly I didn't buy anything other than jewelery but I could of spent a fortune, some of the designer clothes are half our prices! Zita had left for Florence by now so I met a new Traveller from Auz and we soon enough got chatting. We both wanted nice food so we found a small Italian restaurent. I had veal with mushrooms, yum yum.
Day Four
I cant Believe its day four already. The hostel is full of new travellers now, I dont really know any of them yet, they all seem to be Spanish. I woke up early to visit the Colesseum and Palatine Hill. This was definatly my favourite thing, you really got a a feel for how the romans and gladiators lived. I learnt lots about the roman past times and took millions of photos. For lunch I had my first real italian pizza which was massive and I discovered I hated anchovies too! I then went to the Little Solider Museam, which is all about Italy and the 1st World War, there were hundreds of steps as it is one of Rome's tallest buildings. Behind this there is a lift which takes you into the sky to the highest point in Rome. (Its was very, very high and Dad you would of hated it, it was was higher than the one in Barcelona) The views of Rome are spectacular, every building is brown, all very old style and you could see everything for miles and miles, I really couldn't take it all in, it was stunning. I then got on a bus and went bus hoping, but got lost and ended up in a poor town outside Rome, luckily some how In everntully made it back to the hostel. That night everyone had gone to bed by 11 pm, how sad is that, so I sat reading until I feel asleep.
Day Five Saturday
Iv had a lazy day at a park today and have booked my next 7 nights accommodation for Milan, Verona, Venice and Brindisi. I leave Rome at 5pm tonight and fly to Bergamo near Milan for one night. On Sunday I will be at Lake Iseo for 2 nights.
Thoughts on Rome:
All the ladies seem to wear stiletoes and I am still puzzled how they walk on the cobbled streets. The men and very tasty and mostly wear fitted designer shirts and suits eithern in the very hot temperatures. Rome is so beautiful, everywhere you go there is something to see but the city is massive so your legs get plenty of excercise. Next time I will wear a wig because I must be the only blonde in Italy and I really stand out, people seem to stare at me like im an alien, no comments please! Next time I will stay in a nicer, cleaner and more central hotel. Finally I think everyone should visit Rome if they can, it really is brilliant.
42 °C
