"The Whirlwind Tour"

My crazy wild six day tour of Italy.... Two planes, three trains, four cities, who knows how many languages (I know I spoke at least 3), and countless beautiful churches, vistas, and foods! Wow, Where to begin? I guess I'll just have to go chronologically and tell it from the start.

I was really nervous in the beginning because I had never been on such a long trip with so many tickets, destinations, and payments to make- all done completely alone. But I soon realized my fears were unfounded, and ended up having the time of my life!

< The Roman Forum >

The flight into Rome was actually a really great moment, we buzzed the city at low altitude and I got to see the coliseum AND Vatican city from the air in the warm morning sun, Fantastic! I also saw the Roman ruins and the aqueducts just hanging out in the fields outside of Rome. They just leave 2000 year-old stuff laying around there! Italian logic baffles me- more on that later.  By the time I arrived by bus at the Termini station and then walked the few blocks to my hostel it was early afternoon, and a lovely day. I began my touring by walking down to the center of ancient Rome: Palatino Hill, which is the central hill of the seven hills of Rome, the supposed place where Romulus and Remus were nursed by the she-wolf and the whole Roman Empire began. It is surrounded by the Roman Forum, The Coliseum, Circus Maximus, and houses the Flavian palace (built mainly by the emperor Domitian) and the temple of the Vestal Virgins (the only powerful women in ancient Rome). I took a guided tour of the Coliseum, and the Forum grounds so that i would maybe actually learn something! I found out that the coliseum and in fact all the Roman ruins were once covered in marble from every corner of the empire, but the Vatican stripped it to build their newer churches. It was sort of a retribution for the killing of christians that went on back in the first century, however they lied about where the killings happened- no christians were ever executed in the coliseum- it was too small for the population of the time. All the Christian public executions were done in the Circus Maximus, which was much larger. I also learned about the many many elevators and trap doors through which the lions and other exotic beasts came into the coliseum, to fight each other and the gladiators. The Gladiators were a mix of slaves from foreign lands, prisoners of war, and idiot volunteers. They fought 5 battles a year- man vs man, woman vs woman, man vs. beast, and team vs team. The men could fight to the death, or to a certain number of touches, the women never fought to the death. They were paid for each battle they won, and after winning 5 battles (if they were still alive) they could buy their freedom from the games. But they were like the celebrities of the Roman times, very popular with the women and rich in glory from the men. The Roman populous would come to the games not only to see the bloodshed and the public executions, but also to see animals they had never seen before that had been brought from the far off lands of the empire. It was a pretty big deal. As for the Roman Forum, It used to be the most grad palace in the whole world, in fact, the word for palace in every language comes from the name "palatine hill". Pretty impressive. It was where the emperors and before them, the senators lived in the highest style possible. The main temples and markets where located here, as well as the seat of the emperor's government. Incredible. I felt like I could see the very foundations of modern society as i walked in those ruins, like I had never seen anything with so much history or so much influence.

The Coliseum <<< Ruins of Domitian's Palace >>> Vestal Virgins' gardens

After all the ruins, I headed into the modern Roman center and saw the Pantheon- housing Raphael's tomb. I really liked the inscription on it, put there by the pope it said "Ille hic est Raffael, timuit quo sospite vinci, rerum magna parens et moriente mori." Meaning: "Here lies that famous Raphael by whom Nature feared to be conquered while he lived, and when he was dying, feared herself to die." I also visited the Fontana Di Trevi that night, which was so so so beautiful. It's the biggest baroque fountain in europe and is covered in gods and sea monsters. 

The next day, Friday, was all about Vatican City! I teamed up with a Pair of Canadian girls from my room in the hostel and we all went to the Vatican Museums for starters: Rooms and rooms full of art from across the globe, all cultures and civilizations, and the Sistine Chapel (which I unfortunately would have been arrested by the Swiss guard for taking pictures of). The coolest parts were (obviously) the Sistine Chapel and (less obviously) the egyptian relics held there. The Sistine Chapel is just magnificent, you just want to lie down on the floor and puzzle through it for hours. I could figure out most of the biblical stories depicted, but wished I had a guide or a book to tell me exactly what Michelangelo was painting. The Egyptian stuff was just cool- really well preserved and more of it than I had ever seen before (no wonder Egypt's mad about people nicking their stuff!). We then Proceeded to St. Peter's Square and Basilica where the sky decided to open up on us and I subsequently had to buy a cheap-o umbrella. The Basilica was beautiful, the biggest I've ever seen- appropriately so I suppose. It really gave one the understanding that this was the seat of the greatest power in europe for over a century. Pretty impressive. we climed the dome, for which the weather kindly cleared up, and had a nice view of Rome. We then walked down the way to the Castel Sant. Angelo to take a few quick pictures and bus it back to the hostel area. 

Vatican Square <<< Crying Sphinx, Vatican Museums >>>> From St. Peter's Basilica

That evening I took a train to Florence and arrived in the dark and the cold. I was shuttled from my original hostel to another one by the stressed out owner who told me he was having heating problems in the one I had booked in. Unfortunately he seemed to also be having heating problems in the other one, because I spent a freezing night chatting with my chinese roommate who was very nice, and tried to give me hot water to drink so i wouldn't get sick. :) The next morning in Florence I got up early with intention to make my very short time there really count. My first act was to hike out to the Piazza Michelangelo for the lovely view it offers of the city. 

< view of Florence, not well spliced together, but not bad >

I then spent the rest of my day winding my way around the city, saw the David at the Academia galleries, he was magnificent. None of his copies or photos compare. There is so much emotion in his face and body. Michelangelo knew what he was doing. I also enjoyed seeing Il Duomo, which is the third largest cathedral in the world (next to St. Peter's in Rome, and St. Pauls in London- I have been to the three biggest churches in the world!) I saw all the main Piazzas, including the Piazza di la Singora with all its impressive sculpture. I enjoyed wandering the markets, admiring the leather works and buying Christmas presents. My favorite sight here was the "old bridge" a bridge over the river covered in little shops and things, it's just precious. See the pictures and judge for yourself. 

David <<< Il Duomo Santa Maria della Fiore >>> Old Bridge in the afternoon

That night I then took a train to Venice, again arriving in the dark, but had a much easier time getting to my Hostel and was pleasantly surprised to find it in a fascinating old building, and very warm and comfy. I even got to skype my mom and dad that night on the free internet, AND they give free dinner every night. It was AMAZING. I wanted to stay in this hostel forever!

Anyway, the next day I spent about 8 hours just wandering the streets of venice with a map and my camera. I went to St. Marc's square, saw all the canals and gondolas, the dark and mysterious buildings and the glorious sweeping bridges. It's absolutely beatiful in such a very unique way. I think that there is truly nowhere on earth like it. The colors are all muted being washed by rain and wind off the sea- but the canal is this beautiful blue color in the water itself, and the gondolas are all decorated in reds and oranges that stand in sharp contrast to the waves. The buildings all have dark stains that i suspect must be mold or some sort of result of the constant wet air waring on the wood and stone. The architecture is so interesting, all full of arches topped with heads of lions, lamenting faces, or sea monsters. I love that the symbol of Venice is a winged lion- what a charming idea: to give the king of beasts wings. I was especially enamored of the maskwork in venice (so many masks! in street vendors, artisan's shops, just everywhere!). They were all so whimsical and beautiful. Someday I HAVE to come back during carnivale when the festivities are and everyone actually wears the masks! needless to say, I had to get one of my own, and here as well was a great Christmas shopping venue. I spent my second morning in venice visiting a few interiors of churches that sounded like they had some interesting art, however all i really wanted to do was be outside, soaking up the unique atmosphere of the city.

Masks <<< Canals >>> Gondolas

I made it to Milan later that night in the rain and the dark and so really had no desire to go out looking for the few tourist sites there are in Milan. Tuesday was my flight home to Madrid. All in all I thought the trip was a big success. I learned that many many stereotypes about Italians have a hard basis in reality (like thier prefferential treatment of young pretty women, and extreem afinity for vespa scooters. hahaha ) I also learned that I look VERY Italian, and have and Italian name, because people would constantly come up to me gabbling away in Italian and I would have to explain that I don't speak the language, and when I told them my name they just took it like anyone in the US would if I said my name was Samantha or Katie. A guard in the Vatican even questioned me about my heritage and informed me that, I quote, "your face is Italian". I ended up speaking more Spanish than Italian though, when I discovered that the Italians often speak it better than english and I felt smarter, pretending to be a european citizen. I really loved this trip, and it proved to me that I can actually achieve anything I put my mind too: I've traveled europe by myself, what can't I do!? Haha, what I mean I guess is just that it was a big confidence booster. 

Now, I just have one more week of school (finals included). This weekend is my 21st Birthday which should be fun! and my parents come in only about 10 days! Then i get to stay in Hotels!!! and let someone else plan the payments, the meals, the itinerary!!!! Sounds like heaven. I can't wait.

Much love, and until next time,
A