Believe.Go.Love.Travel.Learn.Think.: ITALIA! more specifically, Roma :)

Ok. Well. I am here. It was difficult knowing if we would make it here, aka if our trains would be running, but they were! So we got to Paris in one piece, then got on our first overnight train. We were in a couchette, which is a small room that converts into 2 triple bunk beds. I was super fortunate and got a top one, because although harder to get to, there is more room. There were 2 italians (a young couple), and an American girl in the room with us! We got to know the American girl right away and eventually started talking to the Italians. The girl had been learning French for a while so that is how we communicated haha. The boyfriend only spoke Italian, but he could throw in a French word every once in a while. So we talked for quite a few hours about Italian culture, and words, and the like. Then we converted the seating area into the bunk beds and promptly fell asleep. Well...

Let me tell you something about sleeping on a moving train. It is not easy. The bunk beds had reinforcing straps that were on the outside (2 of them), and they had dual purposes because well...the train made lots of stops, and with each stop and start, my body jolted. Now when you are sleeping, and suddenly the bed you are in moves, if you are on your side for example, your entire body flies in the according direction. So although it was not a sound sleep, I did sleep, haha, such an interesting experience. We slept through the night, and had about 2 hours of awake time before we got to Rome, so the long 13ish hour train ride was no big deal!

So we get to ROME! We connected with one of Chelsea's friends and he graciously said we could throw our bags at his place. So we got directions, and headed off with the bus system to find his apartment. I am not one to use buses. I love trams, and trains, and metros, but buses, for some reason are a different for me. It was crowded. Italian crowded. But the man squished up next to me was nice and informed us when we got to the correct stop!

After dropping our bags, we started! It was around 1:00pm by this time so we knew it would be a rush day. We headed straight to the Pantheon which was near by. It was beautiful . Massive, ancient, crazy.

After. We went to Capitol Building and saw the Victor's Monument, the Forum, and Colosseum! It is hard to describe in words how wonderful these were. Yes, even though it was off season, still packed with tourists, a lot of Italian tourists actually. But the enormity of the things in Rome is just overwhelming. Everything is just ancient, and monumental, and just, yes. We spent quite a while in the Colosseum just observing, listening to free Rick Steve's podcasts.

Time to check into our Hostel! We found it pretty easy and had to buzz them to open the door. A lady comes to the door, and after leading us inside, explains that her friend/co worker overbooked and the hostel is full, however she lives on the same floor and said we could sleep in her spare bedroom and pay nothing! And get to use a private bathroom (hers). She was nice, it was a bit fishy, just because the whole overbooking thing, being in Italy thing, but we really had no other choice. So we said thanks and we would be back later that night. And we prayed that we would not be like the movie Taken, her being an accomplice of course.

So we head to find dinner. We walk and get all the way to the Spanish steps, with more people crowded in one place than we had seen yet, holy cow, and we were at the top looking down. Then we walked back and stopped in this mini bar/restaurant. The waiter ushered us inside and sat us down. We ordered some pasta and drinks (Genesis-wine, me-expresso, Chel-Latte Macciato), and as we ate, he brought Chelsea and I out mini shot glasses of wine to test it haha. He was really nice and liked us. So we left there, eating some lovely Italian pasta, a bit overpriced though (but we were in a touristy area), so understandable.

Spanish Steps. Beautiful, and a great view of the HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of people. Holy cow. couples, and vendors, and just people. It was quite entertaining. So we just sat and ate some Gelato for around an hour or so, people watching. Super relaxing and entertaining. THen we window shopped, even though the stores were closed, and went and picked up our bags from the friend before heading to our free hostel night.

Well our room was massive for 3 people, and we got a free towel! (Not included at a lot of hostels unless you pay). She was so nice and even offered to let us use her computer. So we showered and got ready to sleep. And might I say we slept well. Minus being a bit chill chill. Shmeh.