Roma!

I survived the plane rides and actually managed to sleep 90% of the time...yay!

Roma is AMAZING and I am not even through my first day here!

After the flight, I managed to find my way onto the shuttle train that took me to the termini (its the central train station downtown Roma). From there, I caught a bus to the Colosseo. It cost 20 euros to do the hour long tour of the Colosseo and then I walked around the surrounding ruins. It truly is amazing to be standing in front of the Colosseo and then to look inside at where the lion cages where. If you ever get the chance--GO! Hiding behind the colosseo was a small but beautiful church. No one was inside but you could hear a priest singing from somewhere in the background. While I am not a strongly religious person or a catholic, I couldn't help myself from taking a moment to bow my head and pray. I also snapped a quick photo on my way out...even though I am not sure whether your supposed to do that or not....

After hiking back down the hill of the church, I went and found a cafe as I was in dire need of a coffee! It is now 4:00pm here but I have yet to eat single a thing. Who wants to eat when the cappuccinos here are are made straight from heaven! I am almost depressed that the coffee is so good here, now I don't know how I am ever going to go back to drinking it in the States! A note about getting coffe or any other drink here---taking it to go is not an option, instead you sit out on the patio and drink it. Its nice that the Italians take the 2 minutes to really savor their coffee...us Americans should take the time to do that more often.

My mission after enjoying my coffee was to find an internet cafe/phone both so I could call my host for the night. While walking on a quiet street to get here, I struck up a conversation with a man. Turns out he is a he is a father at the catholic church which were walking along side of. His english wasn't great but I kept using my quick reference guide to explain things. I asked if my current wardrobe was appropriate for church as I would really like to attend a mass-- and he said I would be fine. When I do decide to go on a Sunday, I think I am going to go to his church. I really enjoyed talking to him and he said he would be praying for my journey--that was pretty special and I am glad we crossed paths.

I am learning the following phrases very quickly: buon giorno, per favore, grazie, scusi, and quanto costa (how much). However, it seems most people in Roma have a basic understanding of English so I dont know how to say something we manage to work it out.

I was also not able to find lockers at the train station as I thought..so I have had no choice but to lug my pack every where. After coming on 8 hours of carrying it, my shoulders are warn out. However, I guess if Im not eating and packing a bag around all day... I will not be returning home fat from Italian food but rather a hot tiny little kitten! MEOW! :)

My last stop so far has been the Trevi Fountain. On the way there I tripped over the curb while attempting to cross the street and because my pack is so heavy...I ended up falling pretty hard on the concrete. Thankfully, an Italian man rushed to help me up (oh, another thing about the pack...once I fall, it is nearly impossible for me to get up). The fall was hard enough to rip a hole through my pants from corner to corner and left my knee pretty messed up. I was fine with having a bloody knee, but the man literally dragged me into a nearby pharmacy and starting giving instructions to the pharmacist in Italian. I kept saying, no, no...I will just wash it later but he insisted I get bandages. So the pharmacist bandaged it up and then looked at me and said 7.5 euros. Now I was pissed, if the guy was forcing me into the pharmacy...he could have at least paid for the bandage, I was very fine with going without!!! As we left I shook his hand and said grazie but he insisted we kiss checks...fine, I kissed his check. But then he wanted to kiss me on the mouth at that point I said no thank you, grazie again, and walked away.

The Trevi fountain is gorgeous! I asked some other tourists to take my picture in front of it and then I made my wish by tossing the coin over my shoulder.

I have about an hour and half to walk back to the termini where my host Piercarlo will be picking me up. He has invited me out to a business dinner, assuming the one nice outfit that I brought is acceptable for the event...I plan on going. I of all people, will not be turning down a free meal! ;)

Then later tonight, Piercarlo, myself, a couchsurfer from New Zealand and his friend from Manchester are all supposed to go out. But as the bars do not even open until 11-12...its going to be a late night for me! ;)

The computers at this cafe do not have a place for my SD card so I cant post pictures right now...as soon as can though, I will.

Miss you all!

Ciao!