Well more like a couple nights… whatever.

Making flight reservations seven months ahead of time can be both good and bad for several reasons. Clearly, the earlier you book reservations, the cheaper it will be but who knows seven months later what will actually occur during the semester and how home sick one will become.

I wouldn’t say I was incredible homesick, however, I neglected to bring winter clothing to Cairo so therefore, on my voyage for four days to Rome I had a blast (sans winter clothing).

I left Cairo Wednesday the 19th with Meghan and we headed off to Cairo International Airport – clearly after a fight with the cab driver – before finally saying goodbye to Egypt. I traded the remainder of Egyptian pounds before going through the final checkpoint and “officially” leaving Egyptian soil. We waiting in the terminal for an hour or so before boarding (also having to pay 22 LE for a small thing of Pringles – almost $4!!). We left Cairo aboard Alitalia and had a rather disappointing meal, but the quick hop (3 hours) across the Mediterranean was rather simple… until landing. We were, say 200 feet, off the ground and about to land on the runway when all of a sudden, we took a nose dive UP towards the sky. With the engines roaring we began circling around back over the Med and tried again. According to our Italian neighbors, the pilot, who shouted over the intercom while it was happening, said that another plane crossed the runway we were supposed to be landing on, oops.

We took the train and then the metro into Rome and it was rather chilly. We eventually found our hostel (right near Termini Train Station) northeast of the centre of town since there is no official downtown in Rome. We put our bags down and got ready and headed out for our first night on the town. We took a bus along one of the main corridors in central Rome and found a cute little trattoria where we were the only foreigners. I got a salami, tomato and mozzarella calzone and Meghan got spaghetti with meat sauce. It was excellent and we split a cheap (but good) bottle of wine. It was so cute being there at Christmas time with all the families out in their best (well that is normal, Italians are stunningly dressed year around), with kids, grandkids, cousins, the whole lot out to eat.

After dinner, we went to Campo de Fiori, a nightlife area right near where we ate. We went to a few bars, enjoyed happy hour specials, and just relaxed before our big day on Thursday where we had to see all of Rome in one day since Meghan was only in Rome for one day.

The next morning, we got up wicked early (6:45am) and took the bus to the Vatican. Vatican City, or the Holy See, is the head of the Catholic Church and is the smallest independent state in the world. It is completely surrounded by Rome (and Italy) and there are no border checks to get in/out of the country. We got there early and were some of the first people to enter Piazza San Pietro or St. Peter’s Square as the sun was rising. The square was virtually empty and a huge Christmas Tree was located near the center. We first decided to go into St. Peters Basilica, which is one of the largest (second only to one in Africa somewhere) cathedrals in the world. Built in the 16th & 17th centuries, the dome was designed by Michelangelo and is still one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. We saw the Swiss Guard that protects the Vatican, as well as Michelangelo’s famous Pieta which stands near the entrance to St. Peter’s, several tombs of popes as well as the soaring architecture of the Basilica itself.

A funny few notes: first, I accidentally swore in the Basilica. One reason for me getting deported from the Vatican. Then, all of a sudden something fell and I said: “that scared the sh-Krap out of me.” Reason two. Then, I said “there is probably a ninety-eight percent chance I won’t ever become Pope, but should I, I want to be named Leo (after my kitty, of course).” So I took a photo posing as Pope Leo and I got yelled at in Italian. But clearly I didn’t get deported, but it would have been a nice story.

After visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square, we grabbed a quick espresso while we waited for the Vatican museums to open. I may not be the biggest coffee drinker, but the espresso was pretty awful. Later, we had a decent cappuccino and I had another espresso which was better, but I was kinda disappointed.

At the Vatican museums, the first room we saw was Egyptian Art. I wanted to shoot myself. The Vatican Museums have artwork and relics from all over the world, not just unique to Italy or Rome, so we basically tore through this section and found the ancient Greek and Roman section before heading off to the Cappella Sistina, or the Sistine Chapel, which is where all the Cardinals meet to elect a new pope (once one dies, clearly). The ceiling is the most famous ceiling in the world, with Michelangelo painted as scenes from the bible including the Creation of Adam, which is where G-d had his outstretched finger almost touching the outstretched finger of Adam. Michelangelo’s Last Judgement is also in the Sistine Chapel, and I took photos even though I wasn’t allowed to. Along the walk to the Sistine Chapel, some incredible artwork including one of my favorite pieces of art is just painted on a random Palace wall. School of Athens by Raphael depicts Plato and Aristotle and other important figures during Greek antiquity. I can’t believe I got to see it.

After the Vatican, we ran to the Spanish Steps and grabbed a quick bite to eat for lunch. The Spanish Steps are a tourist attraction unto themselves. It has become increasingly popular among tourists and locals alike as these beautiful steps link the Trinita dei Monti, a famous church and the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom. This is in one of the main upscale shopping areas of Rome and the street directly at the bottom is comparable to Fifth & Madison Avenues in NYC and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The Steps are also a popular site in many films that feature Rome.

We then walked along through the shopping district, seeing all the beautiful holiday windows of Versace, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Prada, amongst others, until we got to the Fontanta di Trevi, or Trevi Fountain, which was made popular during the film, Roman Holiday, and a visit to Rome isn’t complete without a visit and a toss of a coin over one’s shoulder. It is the largest of all of the fountains in Rome designed under the Baroque architecture.

We then walked the two kilometers from the Trevi Fountain towards the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Along the way, we saw one of the Imperial Forums and a large crowd of people gathered, with tons of photographers focusing on a few gentlemen. Clearly, I took a few photos because this is Europe and you never know who is going to show up in the papers the next day. It turns out, that the Portuguese Prime Minister (and rotating EU-President) Jose Socrates, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Unfortunately, French President Nicholas Sarkozy was meeting with the Pope. He is my favorite European leader so I didn’t get to meet him.

We then went to the Roman Forum, which was the centre of Ancient Rome. A little disappointing because much of the ruins are barely recognizable but it was pretty cool. The archways and Roman columns were my favorite part basically, but I love Roman columns with anything.

On the east-side of the forum is one of the most famous and recognizable structures in the world: the Colosseum. Actually called the Flavian Amphitheatre, this ancient feature of Rome was one of the largest built in the Roman Empire and is a must-see on every tourists visit to Rome (I actually saw it three times). Much of it was actually sacked during the centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire and a lot was taken for use elsewhere in Rome and Italy so much of the original theatre is actually gone. Most, if not all, of the entire upper level was gone, much of the interior was destroyed and the original floor, under which was dressing rooms and animal pens for the Gladiators, is now exposed. However, in my opinion, the current state of the Colosseum is actually more beautiful than it would have been two-thousand years ago. We walked around a little outside before heading inside to view the site.

We then went back to the Vatican to see St. Peter’s Basilica at night, which was incredible, especially right before Christmas with the tree in St. Peter’s Square. We then grabbed another great Italian dinner in a trattoria and then we went out to a pub crawl. Along the way, we walked by the Trevi Fountain at night, which was also incredible.

The next morning, Meghan went to the train station to head to the Airport since she had a very early flight out. I slept in and for the next two days was on my own, although I had incredible fun in the hostel with some great people from Turkey, Brazil, Australia, and Missouri.

Friday, I took it easy hanging out around Piazza della Republica, which is one of my favorite squares (especially at night). I chose to go out and see some of my favorite works of art and visit some churches all over Rome. I first walked back to the Spanish Steps, then walked around the upscale shopping areas around the Spanish Steps.

Rooftops of Rome from the top of the Spanish Steps. You can see the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.

I love Roman architecture. Incredible. I then stumbled upon the Pantheon, which is an ancient Roman basilica with the most incredible dome, which is the largest unsupported dome in the world. It has stood for nearly 2,000 years and remains a beautiful site, despite how ugly it is outside.

Friday, I just walked around Rome a lot, since it is a very walkable city. I then went to the Piazza Navona which is a central square in Rome. A giant cathedral is on one side, while the Piazza is occupied during the Christmas season by a huge Christmas Market, which was so much fun but kind of an eyesore against the Roman backdrop.

Within the Piazza is Bernini’s famous fountain, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, which is gorgeous but was under reconstruction. The fountain is also featured in Dan Brown’s novel, Angels & Demons, which centres on the incredible works of art that make Rome one of the most incredible places I have ever been.

I walked around a little more, before going to the Pizzeria da Baffetto, which came highly recommended by a friend (Molly) who studied in Rome for the past semester. It was a flat, crispy crust but was great (and cheap too). Then, I walked around Rome at night stopping at the Pantheon and the Colosseum before heading back and going out with a few people from my hostel.

On my final day (Saturday, December 22), I walked around Rome all day, seeing tons of churches and incredible works of art as well as just the incredible architecture of Rome.

St. Theresa in Ecstasy by Bernini.

A cool fountain by my Hostel.

I love the blend of yellow paint/stucco with the white/grey marble that is ever-present all over Rome.

The Chains of St. Peter, and below is the Tomb of Pope Julius II, which is an unfinished work by Michelangelo. The central figure is Moses.

I then walked around near Capitoline Hill, which has the Capitoline Hills and centers around the Piazza Campidoglio and a grand stairway designed by Michelangelo. Yet again, I love the mix of yellow paint and the white marble decorating much of the exterior of much of Rome.

Then, I walked around Il Vittoriano, which is the monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and also the most hated monument in all of Rome. It is very large and unimposing and is considered by most Romans as unattractive and cannot stand the site at the Piazza Venezia. It, however, does provide nice views of much of Rome.

I did some more walking around, since most of the churches were closed right after lunch until mid-afternoon. So here are just some photos of the beautiful buildings and streets of Rome.

I then went to see some Churches because of the incredible artworks that are just scattered everywhere throughout Rome.

Afterwards, I grabbed a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine to celebrate the holidays and heading home. I was at an Irish pub and they ended up showing American college football so I had a couple of Guinnesses before walking around Rome and heading back to my hostel to say goodbye to Rome.