An Eternity in Rome

Yes, I am dramatic and it is a well known fact, but in this case I truly did spend way more time than necessary in the lovely Italian city of Roma. I showed up with my mother and her boyfriend last Saturday afternoon, spent the week living with the Kruse family (Katie's family) in their apartment that they so kindly let me live in with them, and finally left this Sunday.

When you've been away from home for this long, you no longer like wasting time in a city for more than the appropriate amount of time. Or maybe that's just me? :) Or it could be that I am impatient and get bored with particular cities after more than three days. However, here is a brief overview of what I did in the actually quite neat city of Rome:

Day 1: Checked out the Vatican area and went to St. Peter's Basilica. We even climbed to the very top of the dome, which nearly caused my mom a panic attack. Saw the Spanish Steps and ate at a yummy restaurant.

Hanging out mid-trek down after HIKING that Catholic dome... 

Day 2: Toured the incredible Coliseum and Roman Forum, then saw the Trevi Fountain. We were very worn out after all that walking in the heat, but we pushed through and shopped for the remainder of the late afternoon. ;) Had drinks and then ate at a decent restaurant (not amazing).

Happy to see the AMAZING Coliseum!

Day 3: Sent my mom off (sad) and switched all of my belongings to a smaller room. It literally had a single bed and was super cute/hilarious. Spent most of the day with my "F.R.I.E.N.D.S." in my room and ate alone at that great restaurant. Chatted with my new waiter friend after for a bit and then returned home to the hotel.

Where I spent my day! My first solo day in 8 weeks.

Day 4: Woke up, ate breakfast alone, killed time in the lobby, ventured out into Rome with all my luggage to find the Kruse's apartment, which turned out to be pretty close. That night I escorted the Kruse family to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain (again for me).

Breakfast for one at Hotel Due Torri (stay there -- great service). 

Day 5: Left the apartment at 6:20AM to leave for a bus tour to Naples and Pompeii with myself. Spent most of the day on the bus, learned little to nothing about Naples, watched how cameos are made from shells (WHO KNEW!?), learned about pistachio farming from the Iranian friend I made, and obsessed over Pompeii and how intact that ancient city still is. Returned home after 9:00PM. Got gelato and crashed.

Hanging out in the remarkably well put together main square of Pompeii!

Day 6: Got up and shopped with myself and toured the Pantheon alone. What a blast! Enjoyed a lunch of microwave popcorn and pop (you can seriously only eat so much pasta and pizza). That night I accidentally spent 48 euros on a sea bass......I almost cried, but then recovered and got gelato to make it feel less painful.

My loner picture in the Pantheon taken by a stranger. ;)

Day 7: Enjoyed a morning in Rome from the comfort of a Mercedes van with the Kruse family and their tour guide, Mia. She showed us the "Off the Beaten Path" places and I personally enjoyed seeing the famous keyhole, a statue by Michelangelo, the firing of the gun at noon, and S. Maria del Popolo Church. We ate together that night at a restaurant that brought out six limoncello shots for the whole table. The best part? Mama Kruse pushed four of the six my way... Thanks!

Day 8: Rode the bus to a fruit market in one of the piazzas and then to Capuchin Crypt - the place that holds the bones of thousands of monks and has them arranged as art in the building. Crazy stuff! After lunch with the crew,  I spent my day with myself shopping for gifts and flying through the Vatican Museum to see Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel masterpiece. My feet hurt so bad after that day that I returned to my bed and later went out to our final dinner together in Rome.

Oh no pictures with the masterpiece? Sorry!!!
(I really didn't see a sign...?)

Day 9:  I LEFT FOR GREECE!!!!!!!!!!