Roma! Roma!! Roma!!!

Forgot the name of this but I think it was around the lines of
"Childs play"?!?! Saw this statue at the Vatican Museum!

I have been to Rome 5 times, once with my adviser, twice for a field trip and twice on my own, and I loved each minute of it!  Especially when I went by myself- I had gathered up all my courage and independence and woke up at 5:30 a.m to take a 6:45 am bus to catch a train at 8:27a.m train to finally arrive in Rome just before 10:00 a.m!

 

When I went by myself, initially it wasn’t even for me, it was to eat at the same restaurant that my brother considered “The Best in Rome”.  It was called Antica Taverna, and it honestly was REALLY GOOD.  I went two times times, second time to try the Creme Brule- AMAZING! I absolutely loved being to roam around…in Rome! No plans, only to follow my instincts, I could walk at my own pace, stop at any store I wanted and not worry about what others wanted to do.  I felt like Alice Steinbach- courageous, daring and care-free!  As childish as it sounds, I felt like I could have done anything!  I think I was just scared of my capabilities- and my mom was worried to death each time, but I’m wasn't stupid, I was very aware of my situation and was very cautious.

The waiter took this one for me...so lame- but i needed proof!

My first trip there I went on top of St. Pietros Basilica, went to see the famous “Sistine Chapel” and ate lunch- love the fact that I am able to order a glass of wine with my lunch in Roma, and in Italy for that matter!  And my second trip was just for shopping!

The Vatican Below!

Roma was by far my most favorite city and even though it is very touristy, I can tell why it’s the heat of Italy and why it’s so popular!  Roma is definitely on my list to return to!

While on my field trip for Italian Grand Tour, we went all over!  Saint Mary Major’s Rome.  A church with a gold ceiling, the gold was a gift from Christopher Columbus to the Spanish Pope of the time!  Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Ludus Magnus, the Gladiators training school near the Colosseum, we saw the maps showing the expansion of Rome between 754 B.C.E and 117 C.E in via dei Fori Imperiali, Capitol Hill, La Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth) in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, L’Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island), Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva (Romes only Gothic church),  The Trevi fountain,  The Spanish Steps, Piazza San Pietro and in St. Clemente's Church we went under ground  about 50 meters to the level of the Roads of Ancient Rome!

No Biggie...just hanging in the Colosseum!

For my fieldtrip for Ancient Mediterranean Civilization and Culture we explored more of Ancient Rome!  We went inside the Forum, the Colosseum, saw the arch of Constantine, went to Capitolium Square and saw the Imperial Forum too!

Gum Gum?

Finals are coming up....so don't expect any spontaneous blogs because I have SO much to study for. 

Will write soon after I return home to update my final thoughts and experiences!
Ciao Ciao

Another Day, another adventure!

-Stacy