I missed a few days so Im going back to fill in some blanks. Its hard to get the energy to write full descriptions about what we've done when I'm other exhausted or had too much Prosecco (which has absolutely been my drink of choice this whole trip). Going back to look at all the pictures I took each day helps me, but we'll see how well I do... (I'm actually writing this on June 15, not June 11! Shh!)

We got our first experience of the hotel breakfast buffet this morning, and omg delicious. I seriously think I'm going to gain so much weight this trip, despite walking miles and miles every day. The amount of carbs I eat every day, between pasta and bread, is unreal. I will have legs more muscly than The Hulk, but will have a disgusting gut because of the amount of food I refuse to say no to.

We met our tour guide, Victor, outside the hotel after breakfast, and ventured out to explore beautiful Rome on two golf carts! I swear, if you go to Rome (or when I go back), the major spots must be accessed via golf cart. We managed to see so much today, had a tour by a local guy who can tell us all these inside secrets, and because we were in a golf cart we could take all these back alleys and tiny roads while avoiding the traffic insanity.

It sounds terrible to say, but we've seen SO MUCH in the last few days that I can't remember the names or stories behind everything. But Rome is absolutely amazing, I'm in love with this place. Not only is there so much to see, so much shopping, and amazing food and wine, but it completely boggles my mind that we can be walking down a road that has buildings on it that are from a thousand years (or more) ago. It makes you feel so small.

Today started by seeing Villa Borghese Gardens, which our guide called the Italian Central Park. It was very beautiful, had tons of foliage everywhere, and lots to see.

We saw the old Roman walls that used to surround the city.

Stopped by a huge open air market to see locals selling their goods. This part was amazing, and I wish we could've gone back. There were stands full of cheese, some with different herbs and spices, different liquors everywhere, breads... It was very cool. I wanted to bring home a bunch of different bottles of interesting things, but I don't thing the Customs people would've liked me too much when trying to get back into Canada.

Seeing the Coliseum was incredible. Our tour guide was so knowledgable about a vast amount of the history surrounding these areas, so my mind was absolutely jammed trying to learn all these dates and details (which I won't put many of here). But it's amazing that something so massive was built that quickly that many years ago. And to be inside of it, where an unimaginable amount of people to have been before...

Our tour guide got us to stop for lunch at one of his personal favorite spots in the city. Canadians have "fast food" versions of our favorite things to eat, and with Victor we stopped for "fast food" authentic Italian pasta. I had spaghetti with tomato basil sauce, and oh my god. Who knew something simple could be so mindblowing.... Until he showed us his favorite gelato place. I had "Rosemary Lemon Basil" gelato, and its one of the best things I've ever had.

Next we saw a very cool church that had very cool things in it, the details of which (including the name) completely elude me. (Update: Santa Maria sopra Minerva; including a sculpture by Raphael: Christ bearing the cross)

Then came the Pantheon, which was amazing. Saw the tomb of Raphael. Someone I've learned about almost my whole life, and there he was.

The last stop on our tour with Victor was his personal favorite church, which was so amazing. Ill have to see if my parents remember the name of it, because the art on the ceiling was phenomenal. In his opinion, it's better than the Sistine Chapel. Maybe in the artistic technique its a good rival... But it was so beautiful. There was also a wooden sculpture (included in my photo album) where the artist was trying to emphasize the idea of all churches uniting, so he made one giant church, then carved one major church from each denomination all the way around the giant church. It was extremely impressive. I included a picture of my hand relatively close to one of the mini churches for comparison. (Update: St. Ignatius church)

That night we went for a nice dinner to a restaurant Victor suggested, and it was very nice. Although I may have enjoyed our bottle of vino a little too much... I definitely found it easy to sleep that evening...