Saturday - Sunday, we took a bus from Florence to Rome! I was very excited about Rome, probably more than anything else. On Satuday, we arrived around 11am, had lunch, and checked into our hotel - I'm finding more and more that "hotels" in Europe aren't the same as US hotels (unless its the Ritz or something, which obviously I will not be staying in) - anyways, our hotel was more like our little apartment. My 4 roommates and I all stayed in the same on, though there were two rooms (more like closets) with single beds, a room with a bunkbed, and a bed in the kitchen (?!). Everyone rushed in and headed to the back, bypassing one of the single rooms, so I scooped that up - it was nice having my own room for the night again. Anyways, enough about the boring hotel. After we had a quick lunch we went straight to the Vatican City! We toured the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. I have to say, that was very stressful. I was there with many people who had been before, and all of them commented on how they had never seen it so packed. There were so many people, it was almost difficult to fully enjoy it. I did, however, enjoy it. I was really looking forward to seeing the 4 walls of the Stanza della Segnatura room - and obviously the Sistine Chapel. Not only were those amazing, but the entire place was. It seemed like every square inch was either filled with sculptures, and every wall and ceiling was painted. It was pretty cool. We were led on a tour by an Italian woman who was probably a good foot shorter than me, which was pretty funny. She was smart and interesting, but I have to admit I couldn't hear/understand about 90% of what she said. Fortunately, I feel like I've studied enough and read enough, that I didn't miss anything. The only thing I was really disappointed in, was the outside of St. Peters. I've always seen in pictures/movies the beautiful area with all the pigeons, etc etc. It was obviously beautiful, but it was filled with chairs and gates - which I was told stay there most of the time for the people who come to hear the Pope. I feel like it took away from the scenery, but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed the day there. That night after dinner, we took the metro to the Trevi Fountain - I throw some coins in and had a good time people watching :)

On Sunday we got up super early and had breakfast at the hotel. It was by far the best breakfast I've had here - eggs, bacon, bread, poundcake and cantelope. And LOTS of coffee. I was just so glad to have a "real" breakfast (if I never see another croissant again, I'll be just fine haha). After that we headed to the Colliseum and Forum. This was the highlight of my weekend. I have been looking forward to seeing them for so long, and I was not disappointed. It was hot and we were outside all day, but I realized I'd rather be outside looking at all of the ruins than being claustrophobic inside a museum where I cant take pictures or talk (I really do love going to museums, but this was just a nice break). Lorenzo, one of the teachers from the school, was telling me how the water fountains in Rome have some of the best water you can ever drink, and it was all due to the Romans as well. So I definitely drink from everyone I found. They call it "water from the angels", and I'm pretty sure it's all psychological, but I really do think it was the best water I ever had, haha. After that, we went to the Borghese Gallery - it was originally a villa, and now houses lots of great art, a lot I recognized and studied. We spent a few more hours there, and then returned to Florence, getting back around 6:30.

I wish we had more time in Rome, I was sad I didn't have time to go to the Pantheon, but I heard it was closed for something or another anyways, so that makes me feel a little better. After I got home I got to skype with Mom, Dad, Cilla and Cilla's dogs, and I really appreciated that. If anyone else wants to ever skype, just let me know! I love and miss you all very much!