ROMA!

Wow! It has been OVER month since my last post, whoops! Things have just been so hectic here lately between classes, midterms (even in Spain...), sickness and all of our traveling, I have barely had time to breathe, let alone write in my blog. Now that we are back in Alcala for a few weeks and I am cured (mostly) of my cough and cold, I finally have a chance to write!

We returned from Oktoberfest on Sunday and, thankfully, had off the following Monday which was great to recoup. We were all exhausted from such a whirlwind of a weekend. However, that next Saturday snuck up on us quicker than any of us expected and before we knew it we were on the plane to Rome! Unfortunately, the plane ride was horrifying, the worst I have EVER experienced. We departed Madrid as a mini-hurricane was approaching so we took-off during some thunderstorms which produced some THRILLING turbulence. While Gina, Maggie and Kelly-Ann were saying Hail Mary's in the row in front of us, me, Rosie and Ali were clutching eachothers' hands, white-knuckled, on the verge of tears as our plane was nose diving and shaking as if we were in a blender. Finally, we began to land and suddenly out of our windows we could see the lights of Rome and it was beautiful! We were all so excited to FINALLY be there, it was all of our first time's to Italy/Rome.

Teddy, Ali and I a little nervous on the plain ride over

On our cab ride to our quaint Italian hostel, next to us suddenly appeared a building that looked awfully similar to the Colosseum. However, Kelly-Ann, Ali and I were convinced it couldnt ACTUALLY be THE Colosseum. So with hesitation, we asked our cab driver what building it was and with a snort and laugh he said "Well, that would be the Colosseum..." Needless to say, we refrained from asking what any other buildings were for the rest of the cab ride.

That night we got there and met up with some friends from LOYOLA :) It was great to see everyone again and relax in Rome. The next day, we embarked on our sight seeing adventures! We managed to navigate the Roman metro system with ease all weekend - it is amazing how much simpler and easier to navigate the European metro's are than those of NYC or any other large American city. Our first stop was the Colosseum where we met some of the girls studying in Rome! It was surreal to actually be AT the Colosseum. For me, it was one of those things you see in movies and pictures of other people, but can never imagine yourself there. While we were there, I couldnt believe I was actually there and I dont think it was until we were back in Spain and I was looking at pictures that the reality of being at the Colosseum hit me. It was awesome to be able to go to such an ancient structure, something that our young country does not have to offer. From there, we went to the Spanish Steps which we also very pretty! Afterwards, we headed towards the Trevi Fountain and stopped for lunch on the way.

Before we left, we had been warned that in Rome they try to rip off tourists at restaurants, so we tried to be very precocious, however it didnt work out very well. To make a long story short, we ended up getting ripped of big time, spending 40 euro EACH on a meal that should have been less than 20 a person... It kind of put a damper on the mood for the rest of the day, but once we got to the Trevi Fountain, everyone seemed to forget about the meal from hell. Similar to the Colosseum was so surreal and breath taking. Its crazy to be able to say that I have now been there, something I never thought I would be able to say. It amazes me that so long ago, when these structures were built, the artists were so talents to construct them so beautifully. We all made our wishes at the fountain too :)

Tired from a long day, we went back to the hostel to nap and relax for a little while, then headed out to dinner which was FABULOUS. I got Cannelloni stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach, it was so yummy I did not want it to end. Then, trying to be very European, the 5 of us got some wine and headed to the Spanish Steps to drink and hang out and just chat. It was so relaxing and there was a man there singing and playing guitar. I literally felt like I was in a movie or dream, it was so great. After, we went to the Trevi Fountain to see it lit up at night and it was even more breathtaking than during the day. We were all pretty tired, so that night was mellow and we headed back to the hostel to get a good nights sleep for another day of sightseeing.

Trevi Fountain at Night!

We woke up the next day and headed straight to probably the most important thing in Rome: Vatican City. After waiting in line for an hour or so, we finally were inside with our tour group. The whole tour probably took around 3 hours, and we saw most of the Vatican. The whole time I felt like I was dragging my jaw along the floor at everything I saw. It was all so beautiful and old and just perfect. The tour concluded in the Sistine Chapel, something that words will never do justice to. It was an honor to be able to walk through the surprisingly small and narrow chapel. The walls and ceilings were covered with the story of creation. I must say Michelangelo did quite an amazing job on this. We then proceeded to St. Peter's Basilica, which was also beautiful.   Everything at the Vatican was so intricate and made with the utmost care and to perfection. The colors are brilliant and the designs are so complex. After we finished there, we got lunch near the Vatican - Gina and I got a Lobster risotto that was DEEEEEEEEEELICIOUS. Exhausted, we headed back to the hostel for naptime ETC. That night, we met up with Erica and Ariana near their homestay to have a girls night and just hang out. We all really got to bond that night and it was a blast to just be in everyone's company.

Kelly-Ann and I waiting outside the Vatican (in the rain...)

Sistine Chapel - Illegal picture, whoops!

On Tuesday, our last day, we met up with them again and did a little shopping and had some yummy pizza and gelato. It was a nice relaxing last day. Until we got to the airport that is. Our flight, originally scheduled for 10 pm, was delayed until 1 am by the time we got there and then shortly after checking in, it was delayed AGAIN until 3 am. Of course, we had classes the next day, none of which we went to after getting back to Acala circa 7 am. And obviously after spending 8 hours in the airport, I did not only bring back many souvenirs to Spain but a severe cold that I am JUST getting over now, almost a month later. Fortunately, the flight back went MUCH smoother than our flight over. It was very sad to leave Rome however we were there for just the right amount of time and had a blast. It was an amazing trip.