When In Rome...

Bonjourno!


I did indeed make it to Rome, but it definelty was not as easy as it sounds. I left Nice on what was supposed to be a 6 PM train, but after realizing there was no locomotive to MOVE the train, the people at the station delayed us for 40 minutes finding it and attaching it. All that time everyone was in the train, in sweltering heat. Once we got going, it was about an hour into the 4 hour ride that they told us that the AC wasnt going to work anytime soon, and that we should move. So, we picked up our stuff and moved. The other cars were wonderfully air conditioned, for which I was thankful. Unfortunately, we had already drenched ourselves in sweat.



Upon arrival in Milan's train station at midnight, I went looking for a place to sleep. By that I mean I went for a place to sleep in the station, because I had originally decided to sleep there since my train to Rome was leaving at 530 in the morning. I found the waiting room where similarly-minded travellers had staked down their sleeping territory, which usually was one of the sets of seats in the room. These sets of seats had immovable armrests, so it was quite interesting to see the acrobatic contortions of some of the sleepers. I claimed my place and, after an hour or so, got into a comfortable position, and fitfully slept for the next 3 hours.



That morning, I got on the high speed 5 hour train to Rome. It was quite uneventful, and gloriously air conditioned. I arrived in Rome after seeing much of the Italian countryside and enjoying it immensly. I proceeded to find my hostel, which is called The Yellow, and is an ultra-hipster hotel with almost exclusively English-speaking staff and residents. Once checked into my freezing room (yes!), I headed out for my more miscilanious day in Rome. I had made reservations through a tourist office at the Galeria Borghese, which is located in a large park at the north side of the city. I meandered there, seeing various sights along the way, including the Roman National museum where there were tons of marble statues like this one.

After getting my fill of ancient Roman history through their artwork, I walked to the park, stopping to see some plazas and monumental buildings. At the Galeria Borghese, I found an excelent collection of more art and statues, mainly from the artist Bernini, who I have found is crazy good at sculpting, like the statue the Rape of Persephoni. I have found that at museums like the Galeria, it's nice to evesdrop into other English tourguide's speeches for a couple moments to get the tidbits of information that a traveller on my budget couln't afford. Haha. Here's the outside of the Galeria (they wouldnt allow pictures inside)

I took the long way home after that in order to maximise my sightseeing. I stopped into a cathedral and saw some more plazas. Not only that, but I got my first genuine Italian gellato! The mint chocolate that I tried was delicious, and a perfect refreshment from the hot humidy that I've experienced here. Upon return to the hostel, I took a shower to get teh grime of the train station off me, and then headed out to dinner, where I had delicious bruschetta and home made ravioli, both of which were amazing, although I liked the bruschetta more. I then spent a good part of my night in line at the Rome Train Station to get my overnight ticket from Venice to Vienna. As boring as that sounds, it turned interesting when all but one clerc left and the line was still massive, and the customers at the front took forever. The hot tempered Italians in the line walked to the front multiple times and yelled at the clerc. It was really funny and exciting. Eventually I got the front and found that not only did that night train to Vienna exist, but there were available places! That was a big difference from my past night train attempts.

This morning I got up pretty early because today was Vatican Day! After walking for about an hour (no complaint here- I saw a bunch of the city), I got into the 10minute line at the Vatican Museum's opening time and began what would be a 5 hour adventure. Once I was in I saw the Egyptian museum, an Early Christian art museum, a Papal Postage museum, and a Christianity in Asia museum. And that was just the first grouping! Here's the courtyard outside of the Egyptian exhibit:

Next up was a barrage of more marble statues and busts. Then there were frescos, mosaics, and paintings, and everything else one could imagine. There was so much art that you could tell that the Vatican didn't know where to put it all! I trekked through some Etruscan exhibits and Tapestry collections before I hit the frescos, like this one by Michalangelo - the Roman Forum, its called I think? It was impressive nonetheless.

After that came the finale- the Sistene Chapel! It was truly amazing- it was gigantic and so packed with frescos that I didn't know where to start. I really enjoyed it, and I think it is definitely worth its fame. Exhausted after seeing what felt like the entirety of the Vatican Museum, I grabbed a tasty 3 euro panini and headed to round two of the Vatican Day- St Peter's Basilica:

That church is beyond words! It's sheer enormity is enough to make it world class, and the decorations bring it over the top. I was so glad to have a podcast audiotour by Rick Steves to guide me through its history and tidbits. I even went to see the collection of papal tombs, which was interesting as well. To really capture the beauty, here's a video that I took:

I then took another hour to get back home by seeing other sights, and now I'm about to head back, and perhaps find some people to celebrate Independence day with, which I completey forgot about until now. Haha.

Stay Classy! Tomorrow is the Ancient City.