Roma'n around Italy

See what I did there?

After sadly leaving London, I headed to mainland Europe for a little vacation time. It was a bit of a bummer to be leaving, but I was excited for some time to explore new places. 

First stop: Rome.

Now, Rome has never been high only bucket list, I knew I'd like to visit someday, but it wasn't a priority. However, as I began to plan my vacation, I knew I wanted to go to Dubrovnik and Rome was one of the only airports that offered cheap flights. 

Hence my few days in Rome. 

There are some really cool and interesting things about this city. All of the history that just engulfs you once you have arrived, the smell of gelato and pizza and other goodies lingering in the air, and the complete diversity of the people running around the city---both tourists and locals. 

Since I was coming in early July, I knew I'd be overrun with tourists and hot weather. Two of my least favorite things. (Yes, I know I too am technically a tourist). 

As soon as I arrived, I knew Rome wasn't going to be my favorite place. It was dirty, and hot, there were street sellers everywhere selling selfie sticks by the dozen, a lot of street beggars, it was hot, expensive and crowded and did I mention, it was really, really hot. 

I had to give myself a bit of an attitude adjustment because I know how lucky I am to be in these places and have these types of opportunities. Complaining only ruins my trip and I really didn't want my negatives to color how I saw the city as a whole. 

But it was just so dang hot.

My first day in town I spent at the Vatican. I ended up booking everything in advance...and thank goodness I did. Those lines were some of the longest I've ever seen. I have to say, this part of the trip was one of my favorite. Months ago, I booked at ticket to St. Peter's tomb, which is directly under St. Peter's Basilica. Not many get to go down there, so it was pretty neat. It's crazy to think of all the things that are underneath us. All the towns and civilizations that we probably don't even know about yet.  This part of the Vatican is where there are a lot of fancy tombs. At the end of the tour, you even see what they think is a bone of St. Peter. Pretty darn neat even for a non-Catholic.

Also, it was cool down there.

After that, I learned that I could jump the line to climb to the top of the Basilica. It was only another 5 euro...so why not? I'm glad I did it, what a way to see the dome and the church. Beautiful. I was scheduled to enter the Vatican Museums (ie: Sistine Chapel) at a certain time, so I needed to make my climb pretty quick and made my way to the Museums.

It's interesting to visit such a holy place. Because I wasn't raised in the Catholic church, I'm sure there is a lot of symbolism that I missed, but it was still impressive to be in the midst of it all. I remember learning about the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel in 10th grade and it is pretty cool finally getting to see it in person.

Of course, the Sistine Chapel was incredibly crowded. But I took time to just sit on the floor (totally legal) and take it all in. It's such a wonder how Michelangelo managed to paint that ceiling, I will never know. The detail and his ability to paint in scale. Impressive. Well done, Mike, well done.

When I was doing research on places to eat, I found out that one of the best pizza places (allegedly) was right by the Vatican. Of course I went.

And it did not disappoint. Tasty, tasty. The Italians sure know their dough.

A few weeks before departing for Europe, I found a tour that takes you into the Colosseum at night, right during sunset. That was probably my favorite thing I did while in town. I loved how quiet the place was since only 25 people are let in at a time. I loved watching the colors of the sky change as it peaked through the Colosseum windows. I really loved how cool the temperature was. It was so near to get to imagine how this place was centuries ago. All of the action those walls must have seen. And to hear the stories of all that it has survived. Very impressive. I kept having flashbacks of the movie Gladiator....and it was pretty hard for me to not start quoting up a storm (Are they not entertained?!) There is something so amazing about standing on those dirt floors and looking up at all that building is. It's like time has not changed it one bit.

This was probably one of my favorite things I did while in Rome. Not only because it was nice and cool out, but because it felt special being there after hours, away from the hordes of tourists.

For all that Rome was not, I'm still glad I went and experienced it, even if only to check it off my bucket list. Can't love every city right?