Ciao Roma!

Our apartment's courtyard

View from our apartment

We (Myself, Mom and Dad) officially arrived in Roma on Friday, August 20th - it has been quite a whirlwind ever since! Our apartment is in PRIME location. 1 block from La Piazza Nevona, 3 blocks from Il Campo Dell' Fiore, 10 minute walk from the Pantheon, a 20 minute one from La Citta del Vaticano....you get the picture.

La Fontana di Trevi

On a map of the city it looks like it would take years to see everything, but just walking around we have stumbled upon most of the famous sights. Let me tell you they have been more than worth the blisters (I did not choose my walking shoes wisely). One of the big things I realized while struggling to find our way around in the city is that it is filled with hidden architectural gems. That's part of the magic and enchantment of Rome. Walking down a dimly lit alley you'll look up to see an extraordinary church, or waiting for the bus you can glance over and see ruins dating back to the time of the gladiators and chariots. I've already started to fall in love with this place and it is my THIRD day here...looks like I won't be coming home any time soon! Now I know why Kelly mixes up the word "home" and "Rome." :)

Since my parents are only here until Thursday (which is when my study abroad program starts) we have been packing things in. The first day we saw many of the major attractions like La Fontana di Trevi and the Spanish Steps.

The Vatican Gardens

Beautiful! And I guess the artwork is OK too... (In my defense there was about 300% humidity in there...yes I've discovered this is in fact possible) 

I'm in love with the Swiss Guard 

Yesterday, we toured Vatican City starting with a tour of the Scavi (excavations) - we were very privileged because only about 150 people see this per day versus the thousands above the Scavi. We got to see the Necropolis (basically a city of the dead under the Basilica) and St. Peter's bones and burial niche. The Necropolis was insane...we walked down the actual street of the dead still intact from those ancient times...some of the pagan tombs dated back to 1st century a.d. and the earliest findings of Christianity were hidden within these "houses of the dead." We also toured the main Basilica, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel (most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on...the rumors are in fact true). After a long nap, we ventured out to a molto bene outdoor dinner in the same piazza as the Pantheon. Then we ventured across the Tiber River to Trastevere (hopping night life district) for after-dinner drinks. I've done enough walking to last multiple lifetimes...I'm hopeful this will keep off some of the pasta...

Dinner with a view of the Pantheon (and my mother)

Oggi/Today, we woke up to our macchiatos and Nutella pastries (I'm clearly going to get SUPER thin over here) and headed over to Sunday Mass in Italiano at the MAIN ALTER of St. Peter's Basilica...pretty inspirational if I do say so myself. Later, we had wine atop a roof overlooking the Spanish Steps and then continued down to the Roman Forum to see the ruins at night. It is incredible to think of the events that took place right where I was standing, and I am now motivated to brush up on my historical knowledge. Finally, we ended our evening at the base of our apartment at Mimi and Coco's wine bar where I ate my weight in delicious risotto and gelato.

St. Peter's Basilica for Mass

The alter where our mass was held at St. Peter's Basilica

The Colosseum at night...

Spectacular

The infamous archway

The rest of the week we plan to make it into the Tuscan hill cities (say a quick hi to Edward Cullen and the Volturi), the Villa Borgese...and anything else we can fit in. Of course all this includes lots of incredible ristoranti, vino and lots of macchiatos! Arrivaderci!

How Roman pooches get around...

Obsessed