So we landed in Milan where it was cloudy and rainny, eventually found the hostel and had a late supper. We started the next day with a trip to the top of the Duormo (the gothic Cathedral) which gave us a view of the whole city. Very cool.
We then took the train to Venice, where it was quite cold and cloudy. The place we stayed was outside of Venice, which is like an island only connected by the highway. We got into Venice and just walked around. It was Carnival so we got to see a bunch of amazing costumes and masks. Venice is also a city made of waterways, bridges and alleys so it is a little confusing to get around, but also very fun.
When we got to Rome it was the first time we saw sun since we left Spain but that did not last long at all. We spent Saturday afternoon and evening just walking around taking in the sights (they are literaly everywhere in Rome). We actually stumbled across things like the Pantheon, the Colesseum, and the Roman Forums without meaning too. We enjoyed gelati (best ice cream you will ever have) by the Trevi Fountain, crossed the river for some cheaper dinning, and walked around the rest of the night.
Sunday we headed to Vatican City, where we toured the Basilica of St. Peter (biggest worship space in the world) and the place where they keep the tombs of deceased popes. Walking past the tomb of John Paul II was really an experience. As we walked past the tomb, a simple stone marker with his name in Latin, decorated with two small glass roses placed on top, we crossed infront of about 20 people who were knealing, crying and praying. We also saw St. Peter´s tomb, which was beautiful, to say the least. We headed out to the square and waited with around 20,000 other people(average for any given Sunday) for Pope Benedict XVI to speak. He started in Italian, and from what I could comprehend, prayed for peace in several different places, among other things. Then all of a sudden he was speaking in Spanish. In the end I think we counted that he spoke in 7 different languages (English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanis). Impressive.
Monday, out final full day in Rome, consisted of more touring. We hit the Roman Forums (the center of government for the Roman Empire, for a while) and the Colessium (though we didn't get to go inside), as well as Piazza Venezia, where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is. We also saw an original Michelangelo (the pedestal, not the bronze statue).
So overall, I would have to say Italy is a pretty good country. There is definately a lot to see!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
In Depth Italy
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3 comments:
I am very jealous about the fact that you got to go to Italy and see all the fun stuff. I've always wanted to go to Venice and ride on a gondola and sing "Quella Fiamma" because that's the only Italian I know, and the song is quite beautiful. I figured from there that someone would overhear me and I'd become a professional seranader there...of course only singing QF because it's the only one I know. Then soon I'd end up singing for a producer from England and he would ask me if I sang anything else and I'd break out into Norah Jones or Michael Buble. And THAT is how I became famous.
Love your ultimate favorite obnoxious blonde roommate
that all sounds amazing. and we can go see it when you come visit me!
i miss hanging out with you. seriously. it's making me kind of sad. mk...i should go...my computer light is bright and its probably keeping people up. miss you.
Dear Sam,
Italy sounds like it was amazing. I'm thinking I pretty much need to go there some day. It's really cool that you were there during Carneval.
Anyway, I thought I'd warn you. You never should have studied abroad. You come back and have been using English for over a month and you think life is all good and normal again. Then you cannot remember how to say "source" in English. You think and think and write and "f" down on the paper (for fuente of course). Finally, while your friend sits there and laughs at you, you remember it! Source, of course!
Then, you are preparing for a speech where you have to say "summary" or "summarizes" a lot. So why do you suddenly thing "to resume" is an English verb that means the same thing.
Watch out!
One day, when it is not 1:30 in the morning, I'm going to sit down and write you a very long e-mail. It will be very interesting.
Miss you! Hope you continue to have an amazing time!
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