Ciao Italia

Ciao Italia

This might be almost the last update before I return to my normal life where people aren't interested in reading about all the things I get to do, places I see, and food I eat. But for now...

After Florence, we jumped on yet another train to Rome. Sadly, this was my last train in Europe. My Eurail pass is completely full, which is great since it's falling apart and the envelope it was in literally ripped at the seams. For all the money that pass cost, you'd think they could have sent me a real cover for it. Nonetheless, we spent the next two days in Rome exploring all the sites. 

The first day, we went to grab some lunch, did a little shopping, and then took a nap. Then, we took the metro to the Colosseo. We had perfect timing because the sun was setting right when we got there so we got some great pictures. Then we took the metro to the Trevi fountain. By the time we got there, it was dark, so we got to see the Trevi fountain all lit up! We did some more shopping, and then had a really late dinner. By the time we walked back to the metro station around 11.30 it was closed. Oops. But really, what big city closes it's public transportation systems at 9 PM?! Apparently Rome does. So then we had to walk back to our hostel, although luckily it took less than an hour. 

The next day, we took a bus tour of Rome. We saw all the major sites from the top of our bus, all the while working on our tans. If you haven't picked up on it already, tanning is a major priority of this vacation, after eating and shopping of course, and I suppose sightseeing, only because we know that when we get back to good old Oregon, we won't have the sun or the time necessary to tan like we can here. 

We hopped off our bus at the Vatican, and as we were walking to the square, the Pope was speaking! I mean, could our timing have been any better? I think not. Apparently, the Pope talks every Wednesday, and we showed up on a Wednesday at the perfect time. Even better than seeing the pope, though, was waiting in short lines to get into the Sistine Chapel. Maybe because everybody stayed outside to hear the Pope finish speaking, or maybe just because it was a good day, we waited in line for probably a half hour and then we were in. There were lots of people inside, but I think bypassing all the hot, sweaty, slightly annoying tour groups was still worth the museum and having the chance to see the Sistine Chapel. And Omi: Michelle, Luke and I got you a rosary from the Vatican! 

After that, we hopped back on our bus and went back to the hostel for some desperately needed showers. Maybe this is a good time to mention that although we love working on our tans over here, it is incredibly hot, all the time, and we sweat incredible amounts, all the time. Most places in Europe don't have air conditioning, so even inside stores, or at night with the windows open, we sweat. I don't think I've used a sheet in days now just because it's that hot in our rooms and I'm sweating just laying still in the middle of the night. 

Anyway, enough about how gross the sweating situation is here. After showers, we met Luke's good friend Jack and his sister for some snacks. It worked out perfectly that our last night in Rome was the day Jack and his family arrived, and their hotel was within walking distance from our hostel! Luke went to dinner with their family, and then Jack and his sister came back, and we took Luke out to his first bar experience, ever. His first as far as I know, at least. 

Some friends Michelle and I had met in France also happened to be in Rome that night, so we met up with them, and then went for a drink. We all enjoyed our last night together before we would go our separate ways in the morning. 

Luke and I had to be up at 3.30 AM to catch our flight to Greece at 6.40, so we said goodbye to Michelle and Kevin, and tried to sleep for a couple hours. Michelle, safe and fun travels for the next few weeks, and good luck in your big tournament Kevin! Luke and I had a fantastic time traveling with you both! 

The next morning, Luke and I arrived in Athens! This is our last stop before Ireland, and then home. We did a little shopping, ate our first Greek gyros, which were incredible, and then headed up to the Acropolis. We walked around, saw the Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, and the Temple of Hephaestus. 

We stopped to have our second gyro of the day for dinner on our way back to he hostel, then headed up to the rooftop bar for happy hour. Because our hostel is so close to the city centre, we had an amazing view of the Acropolis as it lit up at night, and we enjoyed the sunset with some new friends from the rooftop bar. 

The next day, we took a day trip to the closest island to Athens, called Aegina. We spent the day exploring the island, swimming in the beautiful, clear blue water, and tanning. I mean, what else are we supposed to do in the country with gorgeous island beaches and not a cloud in the sky? 

On our way back, we picked up yet another gyro, our best yet, and headed back for showers and more happy hour rooftop bar time. The gyro we had this night really was divine...hot pork, perfect tomatoes, yummy red onions, and the most delicious tzatziki sauce with real cucumber chunks I have ever had. If anybody knows of anywhere in Portland, or possibly even in the state of Oregon if they're authentic, that I can get a proper Greek gyro, please let me know as soon as possible. 

The next day, our last day in Greece, we tried to go to the old Olympic stadium, but since Athens is hosting the world Special Olympics, we were not allowed inside. The more recent Olympic stadium was also being used for the Special Olympic games and ceremonies so we couldn't see that one either. 

But don't worry, we just used the rest of our day to work on our tans of course. We took a bus to the beach, and took our last swim in the Mediterranean ocean! 

Tonight we'll probably grab some more gyros, we've only had one our of our two a day quota so far, and then enjoy our last Greek sunset before our full day of traveling from Greece to Italy to Ireland tomorrow. 

See you soon America!