Erin: Day 14: Rome, Italy

Ohmigoodness.  I’m sitting at the hotel after a long, long day in Rome but it was entirely worth it.  We walked EVERYWHERE as there was a transportation strike here in Rome today.  That means no metro, buses, etc.  Although, we did see some buses so it’s very possible the strike didn’t happen (actually, I think I heard that it started at 1pm) but it didn’t matter – we were happy to walk and explore Rome on foot.

We headed out of the hotel around 9:30AM and right at our doorstep basically is Saint Maria Maggiore’s Piazza.  It’s a gorgeous Church and one of the five major Churches in Rome (according to our hotel clerk) although to me, it seems like I’ve seen about a hundred major Churches while wandering around.  Cruising down the street and avoiding the INSANE traffic, we walked down to Via Cavour – a popular street in Rome and one that leads all the way down to the Roman Forum, Palatine and the Colosseum.

The walk was nice – it didn’t take us long… maybe about 10 minutes or so.  Once we got the ancient Roman ruins, we took a look at the Roman Forum and glanced over to the Palatine.

The Roman Forum - Rome, Italy

The Roman Forum - Rome, Italy

We then saw the big kahuna… The Colosseum.  It was majestic and even though the day was overcast in the morning with light rain, it didn’t dampen our spirits when we saw this.  Making our way over there was a cinch (except for of course Roman traffic) and then we popped into line to go inside.

The Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Inside the Colosseum - Rome, Italy

Outside of the Colosseum - Rome, Italy

One thing about Rome… everywhere you go, there are INSANE long line-ups.  We waited an hour at least to get into the Vatican and waited about 20-30 minutes to get into the Colosseum.  If you can, go early and avoid the rush!

Ok, so back to the Colosseum.  We went inside and it was AMAZING!  Such history and age there.  The one thing I kept thinking was just how old it really was in comparison to our own country of Canada.  The other thing I kept thinking was that now, in our lifetime, things evolve and change SO fast.  I mean, if you look at these buildings, it took HUNDREDS of years for times to change.  Now, if you think to the 20s and 30s, things have changed so much since then and that was only 70 some years ago.  It’s really odd to think about…  I guess it made me wish a bit that there was a shorter gap between changing times so that we could appreciate various stages as opposed to rushing through everything.

Our next stop was to the Piazza Venezia where there was a gorgeous museum.  We didn’t go inside but rather just checked out the outside…  The steps, the flames, the statues, everything came together in such a way that can not be explained.  I loved the statues and snapped this photo of an angel which I really liked.

Piazza Venezia - Rome, Italy

Walking down narrow streets in Rome (with insane traffic), we came across Campo de Fiore.  There was a huge space (as most campos are) and in this space was an open air market that was bustling with foot traffic.  Music was playing, the smell of fresh fruit filled the air and there was a general sense of cheer here.

The open air market in Campo Di Fiore - Rome, Italy

Campo Di Fiore - Rome, Italy

Next, we walked up to the Piazza Navona where we saw two beautiful fountains and beautiful architecture.  It’s hard to describe how overwhelmingly gorgeous Rome is.  Everywhere you look there are things that your mind can’t seem to comprehend.  It’s like you know that the buildings and sights you are looking at are beyond words but your mind can’t seem to digest it.

The fountains and architecture in Piazza Navona - Rome, Italy

The famous fountain in Piazza Navona - Rome, Italy

We walked to the edge of the Tevere river and crossed over a bridge called Ponte Umberto.  This bridge led us right to the Palazzo di Giustizia and we looked at it (from the outside only) while once more thinking that one city should not have the ability to hold this much beauty inside of it.

View of St. Peter’s from Ponte Umberto - Rome, Italy

Next to the Palazzo is Castel Saint Angelo.  Another famous spot for Rome tourists.  Today, the Castel was closed due to the transportation strike (which I didn’t understand since we were there on foot!) but in any case, we’re going to go back tomorrow morning.  The Castel was a fortress in Roman times and still features some of the original prison cells.

Castel Saint Angelo - Rome, Italy.

The famous Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II in Rome, Italy.  Near Vatican City.

We then walked toward St. Peter’s - The Vatican.  From far away, you can feel it’s presence and just know the power it holds for Catholics and Christians around the world.  The idea that this is where the Pope gives his Papal addresses and where he lives was really astounding.  I’m not an overtly religious person but I do have faith and I am spiritual so being here just felt so high in overall energy.

St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy

Erin Blaskie in front of The Vatican in Rome, Italy.

A view like the Pope… Looking out over the Piazza Saint Pietro (Saint Peter)

So, after waiting in line for nearly two hours (yes, it’s that long… but the upside is that it’s FREE!) we entered the basilica and we were met with the most amazing sight.  This is unlike ANY Church I’ve ever been inside of and I’ve been in A LOT - including some of the most famous in the world.  This however blew all of them away like nobody’s business.

The first thing you see as you enter St. Peter’s - The Vatican - in Rome, Italy

One of the most viewed and saddest statues in The Vatican.  Rome, Italy.

The ceilings at St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

Yes, a mummified Pope.  St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

The statue of Saint Peter the Apostle.  His foot was so often rubbed that the detail on it was gone.

The magnificent altar at St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

Okay, so the next part gets a little hairy… LOL  The reason is because this next part is where I have a panic attack, anxiety attack, burst into tears and nearly hyperventilate all in one shot.  As you have seen from the above photos, St. Peter’s is magnificent.  I was going to write about the experience walking through it and what we saw but pictures in this case speak louder than words.  Once we were through St. Peter’s, we decided to go up to the Cupola - the highest part of the Church where the dome is.  The only thing is, it’s 550 steps up (seriously) and what I didn’t know was that a large majority of them are through really, really narrow stairwells where the walls curve in towards you.

So… we’re walking up the steps and I’m leading the way and we’re walking up this super tiny, cramped curved staircase that circles up and up and up and I’m doing okay.  I mean, I’m talking myself through it saying things like, “Only ten more steps… I see daylight… Fresh air is coming… Trina’s behind me… There are tons of people here…” but nothing was helping.  My anxiety was building and the feeling that the walls were caving in and that I would potentially get stuck there was all mounting and I burst into tears…. LOL  Seriously!!  Trina was then freaked a bit I’m sure (although she held her composure well and kept asking if I was okay) and when I got to the top, I took a moment to cry and breathe and feel better before we glanced out over Rome.

View of Rome from the Cupola at St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

View of the Vatican Gardens from the Cupola at St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

The Cupola at St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

So, on our way down, we decided this time to stop for a moment to breathe and get some refreshments.  This led us to staring at our tired, dirty feet and it made me get all weepy and reflective.

My foot, left, and Trina’s foot, right. 

These are tired feet… Dirty feet… And feet that have seen thousands of miles of land in less than 3 weeks. These are good feet. Proud feet. Traveled feet.  These are feet that carried 100 pounds of body and 25 pounds of backpack.  These are the feet that enable us to see the world and I am forever grateful.

These are also feet that need a pedicure stat when I get home

Trina taking in St. Peter’s - The Vatican - Rome, Italy.

At this point, we were well into the day but decided to hit up a few more stops before going back to the hotel.  After a stop for gelato (I don’t know… it’s at least the sixth time since hitting Italy!), we made our way to the Spanish Steps.  This was one crowded spot!

The Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna - Rome, Italy

The Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy - Yes, there really were THAT many people!

Trina Lamarche and Erin Blaskie on The Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy.  Looking tired and ragged but having fun.

By the time we got to Trevi Fountain, it was getting dark but it didn’t matter.  It was GORGEOUS!  It was filled with tons of people who were throwing coins, sitting by the fountain, taking everything in and just generally enjoying the finest sights Rome has to offer.  Trina and I both threw coins into the fountain (you must do it backwards and toss the coin over your head) and took some photos of course!

Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy.

Throwing a coin into Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy.  Yes, you must do it backward and throw the coin over your head!

Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy.

So, after having dinner at a little cafe / bistro (burger and fries!!  Ohhhhhh yeah!!) we headed back to the hotel and have settled in for some blog posting, photo reviewing and of course, work.  It wouldn’t be the mobile lifestyle if work wasn’t included!!

We head to Milan, Italy tomorrow for two nights at an AMAZING hotel.  Click here to check it out.  Oh, and in the morning, we’re heading to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums as they were closed by the time we got to them.  And of course, the Pantheon!

CIAO!

Technorati Tags: Rome, Italy, Erin Blaskie, Trina Lamarche, The Traveling VA, virtual assistant, virtual assistance, Collosseum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, Santa Maria Maggiore, Roman Forum, Palatino, Palatine, Castel Saint Angelo, Tevere, Palazzo di Giustizia, Piazza Saint Pietro, San Pietro, Campo De’ Fiori, Piazza Del Popolo