ROME

Huge success! After an exhausting 9 hour plane ride, I landed safely at the fiumicino airport in Rome. A relatively harmless 30 min train ride brought me to the termini station, the main train and metro hub for the city. I am staying at Alessandro hostel, which to say the least, has exceeded my expectations. At about 25 euro-night, I'm equipped with a decent enough bed, air conditioning, free pizza dinner at 830 every night, free (although limited) breakfast, and a bar downstairs. Needless to say, even after a long flight and exhausting day of walking, I drank my share of wine last night.

My roommates are all good people. I met a sister/brother pair (Tehani and Ian) and two others who are traversing Europe alone, a guy named Kevin and girl named Kristy. It's good to know I'm not the only one, and that there are other 'crazy' people like me.

Now, I knew I'd be doing some walking during this trip, but in the last two days, I've covered a total of 18 miles! (Tehani has a podometer). Yesterday, Ian, Tehani, and I did a moderately quick-paced trek through most of the city, seeing the 'easy stuff.' This included the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona, among other sites in between. Today, five of us did the 'Caesar Shuffle' and saw the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Neither of these can quite be described in words or even captured fully in pictures (although I've tried with about 150 pics so far). They are massive in more ways than one.

Tomorrow I am planning to check out the Vatican and see what this guy Michaelangelo is all about. Apparently the Pope is on vacation (tired out from praying for me). One of these nights I'm going to do the city while it's all lit up, although tonight may not happen due to a lingering hangover and sheer exhaustion. If I can, I'll post some good pictures at some point.

Until next time, cheers!