Rome III

2/1/15

Day 16 

I knew that I couldn't leave Rome without seeing St. Peter's Basilica. Mainly, I really wanted to take a picture from the top of the cupola, since I'd seen the shot on Instagram and it was maybe the greatest view I've ever seen. We were really short on time and we'd witnessed the 3 hour long line first hand, but I whined enough that one of my friends agreed to get up at 6:30. We got our free breakfast and the rushed to catch the bus. It was thundering and lightening but the storm hadn't really hit yet- maybe we could make it to the Vatican before it got bad. The bus that we needed was about to leave and we couldn't figure out where to buy tickets, so we just got on it and hoped for the best. Since it was crowded and the ticket thing was broken, we ended up getting a free bus ride across town!

We got out and the rain had turned into hail. It was actually kind of nice because there was no one around. We stood in the middle of the street and took pictures and no cars came. We had tried to look up if St. Peter's was even open today and concluded it never said it wasn't... So when we got there and there was no line, we were worried.

We walked up to where the line should start, and found that security was there and we could just walk through the metal detectors- there was no line at all!! So fyi: go to St. Peter's on Sunday mornings at 8am, not Saturday afternoons! Anyway, me being me, I took a snapchat of this no line situation. When I walked through security, a guard immediately accosted me and asked if I'd taken a picture. He demanded to see my phone and then my photos. He made me delete it. Then asked for my passport. My hostel had made it clear that they would get in so much trouble if anyone found out that I'd checked in without my passport so I got really nervous for a second- before he said, "or ID" and I gratefully handed over my ISIC card. He said "Oh you are students?" And I nodded. He waved us through and we ran for it! 

Obviously we headed for the cupola first. 551 steps later, (they get really tiny and the walls slant at the top- so make sure you're in good shape!) we were outside and looking out over the city.

It was still foggy and rainy but I started to take pictures anyway. We walked around to take in the full 360° and by the second time we were overlooking the main Vatican entrance, the sun was starting to burn off the clouds and the rain had stopped. Essentially, we stood there as the sun rose over Rome and took a million pictures. 

We had to check out of our hostel by 10, so we rushed through the church part and apparently missed everything that's farther in.

Maybe I'll have to go back! But we were already cutting it close so we left and tried to find a bus going the right direction. Unfortunately, we even asked a cop but no one knew how to get to the bus stop we needed and so we decided to catch a taxi and made it just in time. 

Our next stop was the Roman Forum, right next to the Colosseum. We started along the same road we'd walked on every day but this time noticed that off to the side, you could get a ticket to walk around in the ruins! Turns out the first Sunday of the month is free (or something like that) and guess what today was?!! Walking in, I had no idea how big the area actually was, but it really covered a good amount of space. It seemed like it could have been like half the town. It started with some marble pieces on the ground and a few lonely pillars but quickly grew into an archway and the remains of brick buildings.

The sky had been threatening to downpour all weekend and as we turned the corner, it finally started to rain. Everyone ran for cover but I was prepared- I just zipped up my coat over my camera and waited it out. Luckily, it barely even lasted a few minutes. We explored further, following pathways that wound past statues, in and out of gardens, through tunnels, and up the hill.

It felt like we were actually walking around town- most of the walls were still partially standing. At the top, we stood on the edge of a cliff with a perfect view of the city: Ancient and Modern Rome side by side. 

Then it was time to be tourists. We got to the Colosseum and had to get at the back of the endless line wrapped around the outside. It moved surprisingly quickly and we used the extra time to grab lunch. I didn't really expect the inside of the Colosseum to look the way it did. When you first get inside, there are really steep stone steps to the upper level and on each level, like in today's stadiums, there is the sheltered walkway.

I've seen a million and one pictures of the outdoor parts of the Colosseum but I guess I never really thought about what the inside would look like. It wasn't even anything special but it was part of the experience that made it feel real and 3D- the part I would have missed if I was sitting on my couch. And then also the outdoor area was interesting to experience in person because the pictures are always of the arena. No one ever turns around to take pictures of the arches behind them and why would they? There's nothing exciting or photo worthy about them. But without actually standing in the colosseum I would never know that some are like little caves and some are stairs to nowhere.

Eventually, I made my way to the perfect view of the center and got in a few good shots before I felt like veni, vidi, vici. I came, got my shot, and was ready to move on. And then it was strange because it was like Christmas morning after you've opened all your presents and it's just kind of like, that's it?!

From the top of the cliff near the colosseum, we had seen the white building we'd passed a lot and were curious. From the main road, we could see people on top of it and thought it was worth a try. I'm pretty sure it was called Altare della Patria and it was big and white with horses and steps and a lot of flags. We climbed to the first viewing deck but had to pay another 7€ to take the elevator any higher. My funds were already running low, so we left to go see the Trevi fountain instead. 

Let me explain. When I was deciding where to study abroad, a big factor in that decision was the fact that I'd seen a picture of this fountain. I was obsessed with it and wanted to see it in person. I was planning on going to Rome while I'm in Italy just for the fountain and a little bit for the Pantheon, since I'd never heard of any of the other stuff and thought the Vatican was only for religious people. BUT. Then I got the harsh reality that the Trevi fountain has been, is, and will be closed until fall- when I'm not here. :( So this is the best I got :'''(

We caught the fast train back and it was such an experience- it cut the time in half and Rome felt like it was next door. 

In the blink of an eye, I was cultured. I'd been to Rome and I'd seen everything I wanted to. I could spend a lot longer just taking it all in, but in the last two days I think I hit all the main attractions and feel pretty satisfied. The whole time we were walking for like 18 hours a day and my feet were killing me and I didn't get enough sleep and it was cold outside, I just kept thinking about how none of that would matter in a few years when I look back at the pictures and remember everything I've seen. When I got home, I had to put my socks outside because they smelled so bad, I couldn't walk because I'd worn out every single angle of walking on my feet, I felt like I hadn't showered in years, I was starving, I hadn't studied, but everything was good. We spent Rome. We used it up.