"Where ever you go, go with all your heart"- Confucius
But, at the end of each new adventure, every single ache and pain is worth it- especially when you get to eat a weeks worth of real Italian food, play gladiator in the Colosseum, hang out with the Pope, and finally live out a real life "Lizzy McGuire" moment at the Trevi fountain.
Our trip to Rome started out with a visit to Vatican City to attend the Papal Audience. The Vatican was packed with people, literally oozing out of the massive pillars and spilling into the square. The ever-growing crowd erupted when Pope Francis emerged in the infamous pope-mobile. Chants, in all different languages, came to a roar and grew louder and louder with each smile and kiss the sweet Pope gave. It was such incredible experience to witness, especially during Easter week. Plus, Vatican City is absolutely stunning (including, but not limited to the Sistine Chapel.. Decent job in there Michelangelo) which makes the whole situation that much more incredible.
Just outside of Vatican City, as if the day could possibly get any better, a man was sitting by the river strumming his guitar and singing Beatles songs. So for the next two hours, I sat on the ledge of a wall with the sun drenching my skin, over looking the Vatican, whilst singing my heart out to my most favorite band with a kind hearted stranger. In that fleeting moment, I'm not sure if I've ever been happier.
The next day consisted of living out my Gladiator dreams at the Colosseum. I've seen pictures of this phenomenal building countless times, sure, but when you're standing inside something so full of history- it's hard not to wonder about the stories the walls hold. It's when I find myself in these situations that I wish I had a personal tour guide to shower me in all the rich information about Rome I neglected to retain from high school. Ugh, the regrets (along with bangs, clothing decisions, and terrible attempts at flirting that also happened in high school).
But the one thing I don't regret about Rome, is allowing myself to get lost. Sure it's frustrating when you can't figure out the public transportation (just when I thought I was getting it!), or understand a single thing someone says to you, but getting lost in Rome will lead you to some fascinating places. It seems that every corner you turn, you run into something you've read about in "this" book, or heard about "that" from someone years ago. Seeing the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, etc.- these are all things I have only dreamed of physically seeing, yet, here I am, snappin selfies at all of them.
Although I'm a little upset that I never found Paolo, and no one asked me to become an international pop-star (childhood dreams, ok? Lizzy McGuire was the absolute coolest of cool), Katie Ranshaw* made sure to show us the absolute best of Rome. From the infamous Tony's restraunt, to Campo, to a home cooked Easter brunch (seriously, who knew the girl could cook?) Katie went above and beyond to show us her beautiful city, and made sure we experienced as much night life as we possibly could (you win Sloppy Sam's, you win). Much love to ya babe, caio bella.
After one too many glasses (ok, bottles) of wine, an extra trip back to Tony's, a few rather unpleasant public transportation experiences (get your damn hands off Heidi), a splat of pigeon poo in my hair, and a few tourist-trap mishaps later- we finally depart Rome as we head to Prague for the last week (how is that even possible) of our whirlwind European adventure.
*Also, it was so good to finally see some familiar faces in the forms of Erin Regan, Kaylie Webster and Jen Torto- who kindly accompanied us to Tony's- i only slightly missed you guys.
Ps- if you go to Rome and don't go to Tony's, you have have some serious life adjustments to work on.
What a delightful account of one young lady's experience in one of the most historically rich metropolises in creation. Bravo, young Erin, bravo. ..
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