Rome

I was lucky enough to be able to spend this past weekend in Rome! Even though I have final exams this week (already two down with one to go) and did not have a lot of time to study for my grammar exam on Sunday, I had to take the opportunity to travel to Italy.

Our flight left at 7:10 a.m. on Friday so instead of spending money on a hostel in Madrid, Shannon and I decided to spend the night in the airport. Though Thursday night we almost took the train instead of the metro and we had a terrible night’s sleep in the airport, by 7:30 a.m. we were on our way to Rome!

After checking into our hostel at 11 a.m., we ate sandwiches at the train station and had our first batch of gelato. I hate chocolate chip and Shannon had walnut, both were so delicious! We bought a 48-hour tour bus ticket (only 22 euro) and went on our first excursion around 12:30 p.m. We saw everything! Including Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Coliseum and St, Peter’s. While at Trevi Fountain, Shannon and I indulged on our second round of gelato, this time I ate mint chocolate. It was so good!


After our last stop at the Coliseum on Friday we headed back to our hostel. We had a free pasta dinner at 7 p.m. (not too bad), talked with our Argentinean and Brazilian roommates and went to bed around 9 p.m. I was exhausted from lack of sleep and traveling around Rome all day. These two Greek girls tried to take our beds but they hadn’t extended their reservation, so I had a bit of panic for a few minutes but all was resolved and I had a great nights sleep.

Saturday morning Shannon and I had breakfast at the hostel and then hopped back on our tour bus at 9 a.m. We headed straight for the Vatican and bought our tickets and tour. We spent almost five hours in the Vatican’s museums, the Sistine Chapel, the tomb of the Popes and St. Peter’s! My favorite part of the day was visiting St. Peter’s. It is huge! The picture doesn’t give its size or beauty justice, but it’s just an amazing place to visit.


After leaving the Vatican, Shannon and I got pizza for lunch! And when I say pizza I mean we both ate an entire pizza. Each. Yes, it sounds gross but it was really thin and delicious and our cereal from the morning didn’t leave us fully satisfied. After enjoying our (entire) pizza, we grabbed the next tour bus to go to the Coliseum. Well the bus driver took a really long way and we got there at 4:15 p.m. but entrance had closed at 4 p.m.! We were pretty mad that we missed the Coliseum by 15 minutes but we walked around again, saw some ruins and then walked to the Pantheon. Of course it was time for our third round of gelato! This time I ate strawberry and chocolate.


We went shopping for a bit at the tourist shops and made our way back to our hostel. We ate dinner at a cute restaurant near the Coliseum and our hostel (I had cheese ravioli, yum!) and got more gelato after dinner. This time I opted for a “healthier” substitute and ate kiwi and lemon. Shannon had this strawberry yogurt flavor that was delicious so I have decided that the first chance I get to eat gelato again I will get that flavor.

Sunday morning we woke up bright and early (around 6 a.m.) and left Rome at 10 a.m. to head back to Madrid. We made it home to Toledo around 3 p.m. and after talking with my parents on the phone I headed to school to “study.” Yesterday was our grammar final and I think I did reasonably well. I should be getting an ‘A’ unless I royally bombed the final (which I know I did not). This morning was our literature final. It was only four essay questions and I think our professor should be grading them fairly easily. I’m not sure what I’ll be getting in this class. I turned in all assignments and participated as much as I could, but it’s hard when he only calls on three people. This afternoon I’ll be heading back to the school to study for my last exam, my history and culture final. This is the exam I’m most worried about and since I did not do so well on our practice final I know I will have a lot to go over. Though exams have me stressed out I’m getting more and more excited for my mom to come for Spring Break. In one week we’ll be in Paris! I should be getting my things together now so until next time, hasta luego!!