Rome was AMAZING- same a lot again in a little time. We first saw the Colosseum and what a way to begin Rome! It was about the size we imagined seating about 40,000 (half the Big House) and we saw the area were the gladiators and animals fought. So cool that a structure is still standing after that long! Then we saw the Trevi Fountain- a seascape with fountains featuring Neptune. It was very neat, but super crowded- we are glad we came to Rome in the "off season" because Rome was extremely crowded already. We then went to see the Pantheon- its the huge column building and has a hole in the middle of the ceiling (it rains inside!) because they couldn't close it. We felt like we were at a background on a movie set. Its just unreal in size and depth- its as tall below ground as above. We then went with the group to eat at an Italian restaurant near the Piazza of the 4 river gods (can't remember the name right now)- we had tortelini and brushetta. We ate lots of gelato (Kristen had 5 different scoops- her fav is vanilla and Nick likes it too).

In the morning we had booked a tour seperate from our Contiki group to tour the Vatican City. We got a headset and a guide (our Contiki members kept passing us laughing!). The guide was from the US- a relief to hear/see an American after hanging out with all these Aussies! Just kidding- we love our Contiki group! We first toured the Vatican Museum with all the sculptures that have been found throughout Rome and then toured all the art. The guide was great at interpreting the art- something we really enjoyed and appreciated. We went to the Cistene Chapel by Michaelangelo (who had never painted before!). Our guide interpretted all his works (including one of him mooning the Pope located right above the alter in the painting when God created man). The Last Judgement is HUGE and clearly depicts his view on the gates to heaven. We then saw St. Peter's Bascilica- the biggest domed Catholic church- words just can't describes its beauty- statues and painted domes throughout and a beautiful copper alter constructed from the copper that once covered the Pantheon. We also toured the area of gifts given to the Catholic Church and saw Pope John Paul II's robes that he was ordained in and last wore before his death. We then walked around the Roman Forum- but couldn't get in because the Presidental Campaign was going on in the area. We also saw the Spanish Steps- we both agree we'd never do it again- not much there but steps COVERED in tourists!

... Then we ate more gelato!