An overnight ferry ride carried us across the Adriatic Sea which was followed by a train ride to Italy's capital, Rome, where we spent three nights and 2 days. Our first goal on Day 1: to see the infamous Colosseum. The weather finally decided to turn against us and the rain made sightseeing a more difficult task as we tried to keep our cameras dry while taking pictures. The Colosseum was incredible. We walked around the different levels inside, imagining the many gladiator fights against panthers, lions, leopards, elephants, crocodiles and the many other wild animals imported from Africa and the Middle East. The amphitheater was also used for dramas, re-enactments of famous battles, and the public execution of criminals. Student protests staged across the city prevented us from seeing other sights that day so I decided to find a hair salon. I was a bit nervous sitting in the chair at the mercy of a woman who did not speak English, but after lots of hand gestures and the use of pictures, we communicated well enough so that I left the salon with shorter hair and feeling like a million bucks.

The following day we took the bus across the city to Vatican City, the smallest sovereign nation in the world. Comprising just 1 square kilometer, Vatican City has its own postal service, currency, newspaper, radio station and an army of Swiss Guards to protect the Pope. As we neared the Vatican, we observed a large crowd gathered in the front and then realized that the Pope himself was addressing the audience. We could not have planned that any better! Even though we had no idea what he was saying, we felt lucky to have had that experience. It seemed that there were different groups scattered throughout the crowd, each displaying their own color with the use of flags, hats, scarves, etc. which they would excitedly wave when the Pope addressed them.

We took a tour of the Vatican Museum simply to see the Sistine Chapel which we finally reached after breezing through a countless number of long corridors and rooms filled with statues and art collected by the popes. The Chapel itself was quite extraordinary with each inch of the walls and ceiling having been painted by numerous artists, including the one and only Michelangelo, who painted the famous Creation and Last Judgment.

Every inch of Rome is simply drenched in history. The many ruins, the artistic statues and architecture of the buildings, all without a modern skyscraper in sight. Even surrounded by all of this, I felt my first true pang of "wow, I just want to sit and not move ever again." Traveling has become a bit tiresome. Trains, ferries, buses, figuring out time schedules and booking hostels has become rather monotonous, and while hostel life is great for meeting people, sometimes you just need your own space. So you know what that means...we will soon be booking a hotel for a few nights! You just need a little pampering every once in a while...