Greece Part IV: Ending in Rome

3/8/15

Day 52

Going back home felt much better than expected. Obviously, I would've loved to have more time in Greece but I was ready to be lazy and spend a whole day in my bed without moving. But first: Rome. 

Since our flight got into Rome around noon and a 6 pm train was half the price of a Freccia, I decided to make the most of my 6 hour layover in Rome! I'd missed seeing the Pietà somehow last time I went to see Saint Peter's Basilica. Today, I was on a mission. 

But really quickly, I stopped in a grocery store (that for some strange reason was in the train station) for a cheap lunch. I got a box of nutella B-ready bars and they were good and I didn't want to have to carry them... So I finished all 8! Then I was thirsty though so I went up to one of the food stands in the middle. After asking and finding out the guy didn't speak English, I got to put my nonexistent Italian to use to ask for a cup of water. He was a little confused but opened up a water bottle to pour it into a cup and then told me it was free. It was a good day. 

I managed to fit almost all my stuff into my backpack so I'd only have to pay for one bag. I had tried to google whether I could leave the backpack in the train station or check it at the Basilica and I was pretty sure I could at the train station but the answer was unclear. It was so nice to have my data back, even if it didn't help me with this. I tried asking at the desk and they said no but a little later, I asked again in Italian and they told me to go to track 24. Yay for basic Italian! It was 6€ to check my bag which was perfect because I had exactly that much. But since you paid when you picked up your bag, it would be easy to get into trouble. 

I asked at the tourist information booth if they had a map. You had to pay. And I also I had my phone with Google maps so I didn't even really need it. I asked them what the best way to get to the Vatican was and they told me the metro was like 1.50€ or something but I didn't have the money so I'm actually not sure why I asked. I think I was asking if people ever walk and on what roads but they said no it's too far. So when I thanked the girl and told her I was just gonna walk she laughed at me and said "Good luck!" Basically, I was trying to see Rome with 6 hours, 6€, and a little more than 60% phone battery.

It was actually a really nice walk minus the fact that I was wearing my winter jacket and sweating.

I finally saw the pietà! 

Saint Peter's Basilica is such a cool place because every square inch of it is covered with art. Every alcove has statues and the walls are colorful and the ceilings are so high and it's not just a boring rectangular floor layout. I couldn't stop taking pictures.

My friends said they'd been able to somehow see the tombs in the Basilica. Last time, we had asked about seeing the tombs and got a weird answer so this time, I came prepared. I'd asked my friend for specific directions of how to get down to them. And because of this and the help of a nice security guard, I found them this time! SO WORTH IT. Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take pictures though :( The coolest part was (to no one's surprise,) Saint Peter's tomb. You can only get a glimpse of its grandiosity without pre-registering for an official tour. Apparently you have to reserve your spot months in advance. On the way out, I spotted these guys!

I was proud of myself. I had not only saved a lot of money by waiting for the later train, but I also made good use of the accidental time in Rome! I felt efficient for taking full advantage of the opportunity.

On the train home, I was in first class somehow. I definitely hadn't paid for it. But it turned out to be too fancy for me because I couldn't even figure out how to open the door into the car! It seemed like it was an automatic door since it was flat glass, but it didn't open for me and I couldn't find a handle or button anywhere. I'm pretty sure a man inside saw me and smirked. Awkwardly, I just stood there and waited until the next people came. I tried to explain to them but they didn't speak English and this time I had no idea how to communicate myself in Italian so I waited for them to open this magical door. There was a button. Right next to it. In my defense, trains have a lot of buttons and most of the time you're not supposed to press them. This looked like one of those. It was small and black and unlabeled. This is why I'm not allowed in first class. It's too fancy for me. But I got over myself and went to sit down. I was stuck with: the man that laughed at me, the couple that had to open the door for me, and 3 American girls dressed all exactly the same and sleeping with their feet up.

It was going to be a fun journey!