6/08/09: Travel to and in Roma!

Today actually began for us a good 48 hours ago in St. Louis. We traveled from STL to Chicago and then boarded our plane to Roma! We were initally excited as we got called to the fron the be bumped into first class but then were immediately disappointed when they only bumped one of us. Needless to say we had to pass but they were kind enough to move us up a good 30 rows so we could sit in row 10. SAo all in all a win. This was made even more satisfying as, since we were not able to be directly next to one another, it fell to me to ask a stranger to swap seats. This would have been just another annoying thing that I do in a daily basis, however, the stranger I asked to move turned out to be Tory from Mythbusters...a personal hero. So that was nice. And so was he as he willingly moved back a good dozen rows away from his friend so not only could Megan and I sit together but so could this elderly couple. Good man.

Upon arriving in Rome, at about 9:30 a.m. we cabbed it to our hostel: The Funny Palace Hostel. All in all not a bad place. The rooms are clean and secure and the staff incredibly helpful. Mabri, the "concierge" laid out three days worth of tours for us to accomplish so on our combined 6 hours of sleep, we headed out for Roma!

Our first stop was the Piazza della Republica. (And forgive me for not having pictures posted yet, they will have to come later due to the inability to upload as of now.) After the Republica, we continued on to the Triton Fountain, Spanish Steps, Villa Medici (closed today) and then collapsed exhausted on a beautiful park bench in the gardens attached to the Vila. We had had very little sleep so it was hard to take everything in.

After lounging in the shade for a bit, we recouped our strength and we headed to the Piazza del Poppolo then down to the Trevi Fountain to finish up at the Pantheon. I must admit, that this was the best way to cap off the day of tourism. The Pantheon, a building I have studied over the years in any number of classes is so much more extraordinary in person. The details and beauty and simple elegance of the place brought goose bumps to my arms. I sat on the fountain in front of it and just looked for a good while before we even headed in. The oculus in the ceiling, larger than expected, the coffered ceiling, just breathtaking. And again, I am sorry to not have the accompanying photos but look for them soon.

After this, I started getting grumpy. No sleep and no food make Tommy something something. So it was time for Megan and I to figure out the Roman mass tranist system. And after a few false starts we made it onto an incredibly crowded (and smelly) commuter bus and found our way home for a brisk nap before a dinner of Peroni, Bruschetta and Diavolo pizza.


Day one...fini!