I wanted to give just a short detailed description of our trip for anyone that is interested.
Day 1: Ostia Antica
We were REALLY jet lagged so we had a pretty easy day and just went to Ostia Antica. It used to be the port town for Rome but was abandoned when the river changed course. It was nice because there weren't a lot of people there and we could do a leisurely tour on our own. The town must have been HUGE because we didn't even see a good portion of it and spent several hours there. The mosaic floors were amazing and it is interesting to see just how advanced they were back around the time of Christ.
Day 2: Colosseum and Roman Forum
We got up early and were at the Colosseum right when it opened. The Colosseum reminds me of the movie Gladiator and they actually did a good representation of it in the movie. The size is just overwhelming and what really surprises me is that as soon as you start walking out of the subway station, it just seems to rise up with how large it is. I am saddened to think of the massacres that took place there but marvel at the construction of it.
We then walked over to the Roman Forum where the government of Rome was. There is so much that has been destroyed but you can just imagine what it must have been like.
Day 3: Pompeii
All I can say is WOW. It was one of my favorite things we did last time in Rome and it was one of my favorites again. The preservation of the city is just amazing. It is a city frozen in time. We were amazed at how much more they have uncovered since we were there last. A good portion of what we looked at while there was new to us. It is so neat to see their houses, how their rich and poor used to live, the paintings on the walls, and then to see the aftermath of the volcano and the bodies that they found.
Day 4: Vatican
Again, I have to say WOW. (I know, I am very verbose!) If you have never been, you could never understand the opulence that is St. Peter's Cathedral. St. Peter's square is massive and so impressive but then to walk into the cathedral is..... beyond breathtaking. I do admit (sorry to any Catholics that are reading this) but I kept thinking of all of the money spent on the cathedral and square that could have gone to people in need.... But then we did the math on approximately how much money they take in a day from tourists and.... we think they take in a little under a million euros a day from entrance fees, audio fees, souvenirs, the post office! No matter if you are Catholic or not, the Vatican is something that everyone should experience at some point. The Sistine chapel is just breathtaking and so intriguing to just sit and look at and they have soooooo much art at the museum. Amazing is just the word to describe everything to do with the Vatican!
Day 5: Trip to the country
I LOVED this day!!! We spent the day driving in the country and visited two hilltop towns. The Italian countryside is so beautiful. It just seems to roll into the horizon and is dotted by vineyards everywhere with small stone houses. The towns are so old but yet preserved and amazing to walk through. The streets barely can fit a car (yet it will be a two way street!).
The first city we stopped at was Civita di Bagnoregio. WOW!!! (I need a new word!) It is a very old city that is almost abandoned but it is situated on a very small hilltop. And when I say situated, it is literally falling into the canyons that surrounds it due to natures erosion. You can only get to it by a very long walkway that goes over the canyon. (No cars can get to the city!) If you are afraid of heights, do not go to this city!!! They views were beyond words and the experience is something I will always treasure. It is really like going back in time.
The second city we went to was Orvietto. It too is a town on top of a hilltop but it was much larger and still very much a well lived in town. We didn't get a good picture from far away but it did have an amazing church that was beautiful. This town is known for their amazing wine and it certainly was!
Day 6: Rome: Mamertine Prison, Fountain of Trevi, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the streets of Rome
We went to the prison where Peter was held prior to being crucified upside down on the cross and while it was very powerful, I was disappointed in the commercialism of it. They have now made it a talking tour and they just tried too hard. It took away the magnetic power of what God did through Peter in the prison.
We went to the Pantheon which is the oldest surviving Roman Church.
The Fountain of Trevi is beautiful but a huge tourist attraction and a ton of people were there. The tradition says that if you throw money into the fountain over your shoulder, that you are sure to return someday. It worked for me 9 years ago so we made sure to do it again because I would love to return someday!
Thoughts on Rome:
First off, the traffic was intense to say the least. I am beyond impressed with my father for returning the rent car with no damage to it. They drive like maniacs!!! Literally! A two way street would be divided into 5 lines. Not kidding! You would have two cars side by side in one lane. Then, the line dividing the two lanes is the motorcycle lane. I think about a fourth of the traffic was motorcycles and they would weave in and out of traffic and pass within inches of your car at top speeds. I don't know how any of them leave the house thinking they are going to make it to their destinations alive! There were MANY times that I had to close my eyes from in the back seat because it was just too scary for me to watch! In some of the little country towns, the road would barely be enough for one car but it would be a two lane road. I can't count the number of times that I looked forward and there was a car directly in front of us. Scared me to death!!! Let's just say that you wouldn't find any huge SUV's that we drive here in America over there!
Second, I could have lived without going on their subways. I felt like a sardine trapped among other Sardines that didn't bathe as often as I do and smelled.... Not my favorite experience from our trip! There is A LOT that we can learn from Europeans and how they live a frugal life but one thing they should learn from us is how to bathe!!!!
All in all, we had a great time and are so thankful for my parents that taught me at a young age the importance of knowing about history and other countries cultures.
