When in Rome

I took a weekend trip to Rome with my friends Brianna, Emily, Jordan and Erin. We had a blast! Due to a late flight Friday and an early flight today we really only had Saturday to explore. This gives me the perfect excuse to come back so I can see more! I absolutely love Rome. It's still not real to me that I was able to see all the things I saw. My grandma has always wanted to go to Rome so I thought about her every second of this trip. I wish I could bring her back with me but I'll just have to show her all my pictures. I'm really missing her today but I look forward to seeing her at my graduation. 

My friends and I rented a bus trip to take us around the city. It was nice because we could get on and off the bus as often as we wanted. This is how our long, crazy, adventure filled Saturday went down. 

Our hotel was close to the Vatican and this was also a bus stop so we decided to go there first. Here we are waiting in a 2 hour line! It seems like a long time to wait but time flies when you are about to enter such a wonderful place. 

There are extremely tall walls surrounding Vatican City. Brianna is super pumped!!

Once we entered the Vatican museum we all got kind of quiet. We were all in awe and shock that we were really doing this. The museum takes you on a path through many beautiful rooms with the Sistine Chapel at the end of the tour. WOW! My pictures do not do this place justice. Everyone must come and see this for themselves. 

Every room was more beautiful than the last. Once we entered the Sistine Chapel we were to be silent and no photos were allowed. I loved these rules. Everyone was able to look around at all the details of the paintings and enjoy them. No one was trying to take as many pictures as possible to post on Facebook. No one was talking to their friends and interrupting others trying to really take in the scene. Absolutely breathtaking and peaceful. 

Once we left the Vatican museum we walked to St. Peter's square. MY FAVORITE PART OF THE TRIP. The line for St. Peter's Basilica was outrageously long so we did not go in but I'll save that for my next visit. Here I am with my WKU red towel. Go tops! 

We got on the bus from here. A double decker bus! Sitting at the top was a perfect view of this amazing city. Here are some pictures I snapped from the bus. 

Next stop: Colosseum! At this point we were still all saying, "are we really doing this right now!?" First we went to the Forum which was an old Roman city. I really wish I had my history nerd brother with me for this part. He would have been able to explain everything and he would have loved seeing all of it. 

I had way too much fun with the selfie stick my host brother let me borrow. 

Buying a dual ticket for the Forum let us skip the line for the Colosseum. I highly recommend doing this is for your visit! 

 

Inside the Colosseum.

After this we got back on the bus to go to the Trevi fountain. This was disappointing because it was under construction. Still pretty neat to see and once again, a great excuse to come back to Rome. 

We went back to the hotel and found a local, authentic Italian restaurant for dinner. Yum! 

I am sad to be in the airport right now leaving Rome. I am also kind of sad that I am not returning home when I fly out. We have 15 more days abroad which means we are halfway through. I am ready for my return to America but I also keep reminding myself to enjoy the days ahead because the time has been flying by. Time to get ready for week 3! I am teaching this whole week so wish me luck!