March 28

The day started at 6 am. Soon after getting up we were rubbing shoulders with the morning traffic in the metro station. Using the metro is very easy, know where you want to go, look at the signs on the wall and go in the direction it points. We had bought full day passes for 4 euros the previous day. This allows us to use the metro as many times as we want. This morning, the Trevi Fountain… again…The goal of course was to get a picture of the fountain sans tourists.

We stopped by a bar to pick up breakfast to munch on our walk there, plain croissant for Jae and croissant with Nutella for me. That was really good. The bartender looked at us kinda funny when we turned down the cappuccino and said that we were taking it to go. Italians appreciate life just a bit more by slowing down and enjoy breakfast. But we were in a hurry, gotta get to the fountain! When we got there, the place was deserted. Perfect. We were truly the first persons there! We set up the tripod and snapped away. Mission accomplished.

Afterwards we went back to the metro and headed towards the Piazza del Popolo. When we exited the station we decided that maybe we should give being Italian a try. We exited the station and went into a nearby bar for breakfast take two. We ordered cappuccinos this time. All the bars/cafes serve their drinks in regular chinaware. Many Italians actually take the time to drink their coffee while eating their breakfast at the bar before heading out to start the day. The bar typically don’t have stools so most people stand but it’s ok, after all it only takes a few minutes to eat. People don’t walk around with huge cups of Starbucks. They eat, they chat, they read the newspaper, then they hurry along their way. In fact I havn’t seen a single Starbucks here. I also noticed that the main drinks served are espresso and not drip coffee. I suppose the cup is smaller so you don’t spend as much time holding the cup like we do in the states. The coffee is also typically drunk unflavored, no soy, no caramel, no shots of flavor. Just plain cappuccino, for 0.85 euros (a bit more in other places but typically under 2 euros). Our cappuccino was the best I’ve ever had, very smooth, not too dark. Yum!

Anyhow, we finished our breakfast, returned the cups and left. At the plaza we took some pictures and then got back on the metro heading towards the Vatican.

In the metro stations, ideally you’re suppose to validate the ticket in a machine, before the gate would let you through. But during morning traffic especially in congested stations most people don’t, they just walk straight through using the handicapped gate. There is very little enforcement of the tickets. It’s kinda funny since only tourists with big backpacks actually stand there trying to figure out which way to stick the ticket in while dozens of people pass right through a few feet away. Of course we didn’t want to be too touristy; we walked right along with the crowd and through the gate. Not like it matter, we did have a ticket incase they decided to check. I don’t know how many of the locals actually do though…

We headed towards St. Peter’s Square to see St. Peters Basilica. Since we were early (a bit past 8:45) the line was very short. We got through security and got our tickets to go in Michelangelo’s dome. Our 7euro ticket gave us a ride to the inside of the dome. You can buy a cheaper ticket for 4 euros if you would rather take the stairs, about 200 steps, your choice =P.

From the inside the dome was magnificent! The lighting was very dark so pictures were difficult. From the inside we climbed to the top, all 320 steps in a very, very narrow spiral staircase. I don’t know how others do it because I barely fit! It was so narrow and winding that half the time I had to walk slanted, shoulder against the inner wall. I think I cleaned part of that stairwell pretty well.

From the top is an astounding view of Rome, talk about wow!

After we came down we went inside St. Peter’s Basilica for a look-see. The place is huge, filled with so much art that there is not a single corner left empty. No pictures taken could justify it (tripods weren’t allowed).

Next came the Vatican Museums. The line wasn’t too ad and we were in after about 15 minutes. This museum is quite big and you can choose to see all of it, some of it or just head straight to the Sistine Chapel. All the paths will lead you to the Sistine Chapel as your final destination. We walked through a few rooms, marveling at the art painted on the walls, the ceilings, pretty much everywhere. Some rooms were so crowded that there was barely any breathing space. Unfortunately there is only one entrance and one exit, the rooms all lined up end to end. Can anyone say ‘moo’. Eventually we got to the Sistine Chapel, lots of people, lots and lots of people. The museum employs about 2-3 attendants to actually stand there and say “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh!” every time the murmurs get louder. Well they also say “No Pictures” but many people snuck pictures anyhow. I think this is done just so that people don’t stay as long taking pictures.

For lunch we went to Hostaria dei Bastioni, another recommendation. It is literally right outside the Vatican Museum. The food was pretty good. For 12 euros we got 2 courses and dessert. Jae had spaghetti and chicken and potatoes. I had lasagna and salmon with salad. I really like the food here in Italy. It is much lighter, made with mostly olive oil and spices. For dessert, we both traded up to the Tiramisu. That was pretty good, but yesterdays better. Second day and two Tiramisu already. Life couldn’t be better!

By now it was around 2:30 and my feet were about ready to fall off. I decided I couldn’t walk anymore so we headed back. The metro was nearby so we took it back to our hotel. Back in our room we took a short nap, promising ourselves to wake up this time to catch the sunset and eat dinner.
Around 6 we went out again. The goal, the Senator’s Plaza for pictures of the Roman Forum at dusk. My legs were still pretty sore so we took the metro again even though it would’ve been a 10 minute walk. Since the sun was still bratty high, we took a detour and went into the forum itself. The ruins are stunning up close. The thought of what it must have been back in the early days of Rome. A peasant visiting Rome for the first time must have gotten quite an eyeful and stories to tell for a lifetime. The buildings, the people, the life.

We spent the rest of the evening around the area, absorbing in the view. When the sun was down we pulled out the tripod and what a difference it made!

Metroed (my new word) back and stopped at a restaurant called Pizzarito that was just around the corner from our hotel, not a recommendation but it was close to a bed. We were starving so we each ordered a pizza and shared one order of pasta. Jae got a pizza with just sauce, no cheese. He thought it was the greatest thing. I got a pizza with ham, sausage, and artichoke. That exactly what I got, a round, very thin crust pizza with a square ham on one third, an artichoke heart split in 2 in another third and some ground pork on the last third. The crust was very thin and soaked in olive oil, it was so thin and soggy that I had no choice but eat it with a knife and fork. Very interesting =) Different but still good.