April 9th - Rome
Now, this morning I had set my alarm for 8am. I wanted to shower to see if I could get a warm shower. Since Morgan rarely ever has warm showers I was worried. Well, it was freezing cold. I only washed my hair and I did it very quickly. I changed and did my usual get ready routine. I grabbed my notebook, book, and ipod from Morgan's room where the girls were still sleeping and I headed into the kitchen. I grabbed some cereal Morgan had bought and made myself comfortable, well as comfortable as I could get on the kitchen chairs. Eventually I looked at my ipod, to change the time, and when I changed it to Rome time, I found out the real time. I realized why no one was up yet, I had awoken at 7am instead of 8. Eventually Morgan got up and joined me for a bit in the kitchen before getting ready and Kelsey eventually lingered out of the room as well. We had our breakfast and were finally on our way.
Our first stop of the day was the Vatican Museum. We weren't exactly expecting a long line, but as it is the beginning of tourist season, it was a pretty long line. It took us an hour or a little more to get to the front of the museum, this is where I met up with Allison and Carissa and received my papers for a smoother ride into the UK. So thankful to those girls! Anyway, we got in and bought our tickets, thank you ISIC card, you got us a discount. We walked in, not knowing how much time it was going to take us. Since the last time morgan came it was free Sunday, very crowded, and some of the rooms were closed off. There are many different rooms to the Vatican Museum, they have ones with statues and busts, they had a room full of statue animals. They had some pretty awesome, huge marble bathtubs (that I want someday), they had an Egyptian room, too. Almost right before going to the Sistine Chapel are the Raphael rooms. In one of these rooms is the painting of the School of Athens. I don't remember the whole story, but I think Michelangelo wasn't happy that he wasn't in it, so one time he snuck in and painted himself in the painting, and he painted himself larger than the other figures in it. Sneaking son of a gun. Then off we went following the crowd to the Sistine Chapel, as well as passing some rooms with more modern art. Once in the Sistine Chapel, you, of course, can't help but look up at all times. If the place had been empty I am sure I would have sat on the floor looking up at the ceiling, until that time comes I was having to strain my neck, almost touching my back, to get the best view of the ceiling. We spent a little time in the Sistine Chapel admiring all the splendor that was around us and we headed out. Now, to get out of the museum, it took us quite a while. As well as there being large crowds and groups of school children, they take you through a couple more rooms full of art and then into the big gift shop. We mostly passed by the other rooms and skipped the gift shop. By the time we got out we were all pretty hungry. We noticed a Burger King was a ways down so we stopped there for Kelsey. We sat while she quickly ate her food, as we wouldn't have to wait so long, and then we headed to a gelato place a couple blocks down. Kelsey and Morgan both got gelato while I got a crepe from next door. It was pretty tasty. We then headed to the street in front of the Vatican and Morgan and I got some pizza. We decided to just concur most of the Vatican in one day. Off we were to wait in line for security into St. Peter's Basilica and then off we were to see some dead popes. St. Peter's Basilica was amazing. It was so beautiful inside. Besides the dead guys at least. One of the first things you can see when entering is Michelangelo's Pieta. Since the popes devoted their lives to the church, the church got full custody, pretty much full custody, of the dead popes body, so they like to embalm them and show them off to the public. Some are quite old so they are black. Or the church just doesn't want to tell us something. Either one, crazy! Some art that were on the walls were actually mosaics and not paintings, the work they did must have taken forever but it looks beautiful. You can't even tell that it is a mosaic. There was one room in the Vatican that you can go into and see a list of all the past popes. It's pretty amazing to see how many popes there were in just one year. Supposedly they liked to kill each other off, well when they could do that. We walked all the way around, at least to where we could get to and we headed out. We sat outside of Castle San Tangelo for a bit, which is the old Vatican prison, and this is where I ran into Kiley, my London roommate. In the museum we also ran into a couple other people from the London program. Rome really was the place to be, as other people from the program were there as well, we didn't run into them though. We headed back to the apartment where we were going to take a short rest before supper. It turned into a longer rest as Morgan wanted to see Matt and Amy's wedding pictures. She loved most of them, if not all. We then headed to supper. We tried two different restaurants that Morgan had in mind, but both were going to be pretty long waits. Instead we went to Bruchetto (Buchetto?) and got our delicious supper there. Kelsey got a pizza while Morgan and I both got gnochi ei 4 formaggi, which is a potato in a four cheese sauce. Oh my gosh was it delicious, and holy cow I have craved some ever since I had it! After supper we headed back to the apartment where we pretty much went straight to bed. Saturday is Kelsey's last full day with us so we still have a lot to do! Cheers
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Roma :)
April 8th
We awoke, again, pretty early as we had to catch the metro and train to the airport. When we got to the Acropoli I ended up getting a 1 1/2 hour travel ticket, we needed an actual, more expensive ticket to get to the airport. I ended up getting a reduced ticket, even though Kelsey said I shouldn't. We headed down to the trains and got on. We had to get off at one point to change trains. We were then on for good and finally arrived at the airport. We parted our separate ways and headed to our different airlines. We would meet back up in Rome. I got in line to get my ticket and check my bag, since I had liquids that were more than 3 oz. After getting my ticket I was on my way. Now, not all airports are like the UK or America, security isn't technically first in Greece. They have a place for you to get your ticket checked, to make sure that you can go through, and then you can walk by all the shops they have. Right before heading into the area with your gate, then, you go through security. Of course as like before with my flights to Athens, these people do not like boarding or even leaving on time. I don't know why, it just drives me crazy! So, I wasn't not happy when we started boarding at the time our plane was actually supposed to take off.
When we finally took off, about 15 minutes after we were originally going to, I fell asleep. I slept for most of the flight, very exhausted, until they fed us. We got a small ham sandwich, a little cheese sandwich and then a yogurt you could poor honey into. I took the cheese off the little sandwich and took the honey from the yogurt and put those together, and then I ate my sandwich. After landing in Rome I headed to get my checked bag. It took en extremely long time for the checked bags to be put on the belt, an extremely long time. Finally they started coming down and eventually I got mine. I headed out and Kelsey was waiting right there while Morgan was at the other door, just in case. We said our hello's and starting chatting right away. Telling each other about stories from school and such. We headed out to the train station that is connected to the airport and we waited for the train. Not buying a ticket, as Morgan said they never check. Saved me money. When the train arrived we got on and headed to Morgan's apartment. It was, I think, more than a 30 minute ride to where we needed to get off, so we again just chatted.
When we got to our train stop we hopped off and walked the short distance to Morgan's apartment building. She introduced us to a few of her roommates while we were walking in and we "settled" in, putting our things in her room and getting ready to leave again. We headed a few doors down of her apartment to a place called Pizza Boom. They have different types of pizzas, some breads, and a lot of other things to choose from. Not too expensive either. I got a margarita pizza (cheese) and Morgan ordered two suppli, which is balled up rise with marinara and cheese in the middle deep fried. She got two just in case Kelsey wanted one, which after she tried it she did eat it. She's such a picky eater, silly girl. We then headed to to local grocery store to see what they had to offer us. We ended up buying some sparkling strawberry wine that we were going to save for later. After our purchase we headed back to the apartment to drop it off.
Off we were again, which Morgan had a few ideas of what she was going to show us, which was great! Since we didn't really know what we wanted to see. We first headed to the little tram station where we got off at some Argentinian ruins. Also the cat sanctuary was there. Well it pretty much is the whole thing. A bunch of cats live in the ruins, just hanging out. People can volunteer and come and feed them, which would be awesome. We then headed to Piazza Venezia which is a monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. It is an amazing monument, and I wish I could do something great to have a giant building made out of stone for me, too selfish? Behind the Piazza was another building, don't ask what it is, Morgan didn't know. She said it is rumored to be designed by Michelangelo. We then walked behind and got a good view of the Roman Forum. We were going to head into a church that was nearby but the doors ended up being locked so we skipped that and headed up to a balcony in Piazza Venezia. On the balcony we had another very good view of Rome. I am extremely lucky to have Morgan living here. If I had come by myself it would not have been the same. The only downside was Morgan didn't really know anything about the places we visited :p She knew the names though, which was very nice. We got a quick look on that balcony and then did a quick walk through the museum that was inside to the front balcony. We headed down the front steps, to where a police man was blowing a whistle, at something. We didn't see anyone doing anything wrong so we joked that he was blowing it at the seagull that was hanging out on the ledge.
Morgan had only one class while we were visiting and it was this afternoon. We headed there, which wasn't too far away, on the tram at least. Then we had to walk about five flights of stairs and then a hill to get to her university. I concurred the stairs and we finished walking up the hill. Quite a hike. As soon as we got to Morgan's university our first stop was to check her mail. She was expecting an Easter basket from her mother. No such luck. We then sat down and talked, since we were quite early for her class. When it was time for her to head in to class Kelsey and I headed into the computer room where we sat ourselves in front of a computer for some free internet time and catching up with peoples lives elsewhere. Morgan came back after about an 1 1/2 later and we headed out. We headed to another outlook of the city at Gianicolo Hill. It was another great view of the city! We walked back down the hill and went back to the apartment.
Morgan had a bought a cake earlier in the week for us, so we ate some of that when we got back. Morgan, being the wonderful host she is, made us some mac and cheese. So our supper consisted of mac and cheese, cake and our wine. It was a delicious mix for supper.
After we were done with supper we headed back out again. We walked through more piazza's and by the Pantheon. We stopped at a gelato place and got some gelato, pretty delicious. We then walked by Rome's parliament building, so Morgan says ;) and walked to the Trevi Fountain. The lights on the Trevi made it look so beautiful. Even though it was pretty late there were still a ton of people around. Next stop, the Spanish Steps. We made the trek up those even after the five flights we did earlier. As well as the 3+ flights up to Morgan's apartment. We stood at the top of the stops, overlooking the surrounding area and just taking in the sites, and watching the guys down below try to sell purses, wallets, and little toys that glowed. We then headed back, and eventually went to bed after our first day of Rome site seeing! Cheers
We awoke, again, pretty early as we had to catch the metro and train to the airport. When we got to the Acropoli I ended up getting a 1 1/2 hour travel ticket, we needed an actual, more expensive ticket to get to the airport. I ended up getting a reduced ticket, even though Kelsey said I shouldn't. We headed down to the trains and got on. We had to get off at one point to change trains. We were then on for good and finally arrived at the airport. We parted our separate ways and headed to our different airlines. We would meet back up in Rome. I got in line to get my ticket and check my bag, since I had liquids that were more than 3 oz. After getting my ticket I was on my way. Now, not all airports are like the UK or America, security isn't technically first in Greece. They have a place for you to get your ticket checked, to make sure that you can go through, and then you can walk by all the shops they have. Right before heading into the area with your gate, then, you go through security. Of course as like before with my flights to Athens, these people do not like boarding or even leaving on time. I don't know why, it just drives me crazy! So, I wasn't not happy when we started boarding at the time our plane was actually supposed to take off.
When we finally took off, about 15 minutes after we were originally going to, I fell asleep. I slept for most of the flight, very exhausted, until they fed us. We got a small ham sandwich, a little cheese sandwich and then a yogurt you could poor honey into. I took the cheese off the little sandwich and took the honey from the yogurt and put those together, and then I ate my sandwich. After landing in Rome I headed to get my checked bag. It took en extremely long time for the checked bags to be put on the belt, an extremely long time. Finally they started coming down and eventually I got mine. I headed out and Kelsey was waiting right there while Morgan was at the other door, just in case. We said our hello's and starting chatting right away. Telling each other about stories from school and such. We headed out to the train station that is connected to the airport and we waited for the train. Not buying a ticket, as Morgan said they never check. Saved me money. When the train arrived we got on and headed to Morgan's apartment. It was, I think, more than a 30 minute ride to where we needed to get off, so we again just chatted.
When we got to our train stop we hopped off and walked the short distance to Morgan's apartment building. She introduced us to a few of her roommates while we were walking in and we "settled" in, putting our things in her room and getting ready to leave again. We headed a few doors down of her apartment to a place called Pizza Boom. They have different types of pizzas, some breads, and a lot of other things to choose from. Not too expensive either. I got a margarita pizza (cheese) and Morgan ordered two suppli, which is balled up rise with marinara and cheese in the middle deep fried. She got two just in case Kelsey wanted one, which after she tried it she did eat it. She's such a picky eater, silly girl. We then headed to to local grocery store to see what they had to offer us. We ended up buying some sparkling strawberry wine that we were going to save for later. After our purchase we headed back to the apartment to drop it off.
Off we were again, which Morgan had a few ideas of what she was going to show us, which was great! Since we didn't really know what we wanted to see. We first headed to the little tram station where we got off at some Argentinian ruins. Also the cat sanctuary was there. Well it pretty much is the whole thing. A bunch of cats live in the ruins, just hanging out. People can volunteer and come and feed them, which would be awesome. We then headed to Piazza Venezia which is a monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. It is an amazing monument, and I wish I could do something great to have a giant building made out of stone for me, too selfish? Behind the Piazza was another building, don't ask what it is, Morgan didn't know. She said it is rumored to be designed by Michelangelo. We then walked behind and got a good view of the Roman Forum. We were going to head into a church that was nearby but the doors ended up being locked so we skipped that and headed up to a balcony in Piazza Venezia. On the balcony we had another very good view of Rome. I am extremely lucky to have Morgan living here. If I had come by myself it would not have been the same. The only downside was Morgan didn't really know anything about the places we visited :p She knew the names though, which was very nice. We got a quick look on that balcony and then did a quick walk through the museum that was inside to the front balcony. We headed down the front steps, to where a police man was blowing a whistle, at something. We didn't see anyone doing anything wrong so we joked that he was blowing it at the seagull that was hanging out on the ledge.
Morgan had only one class while we were visiting and it was this afternoon. We headed there, which wasn't too far away, on the tram at least. Then we had to walk about five flights of stairs and then a hill to get to her university. I concurred the stairs and we finished walking up the hill. Quite a hike. As soon as we got to Morgan's university our first stop was to check her mail. She was expecting an Easter basket from her mother. No such luck. We then sat down and talked, since we were quite early for her class. When it was time for her to head in to class Kelsey and I headed into the computer room where we sat ourselves in front of a computer for some free internet time and catching up with peoples lives elsewhere. Morgan came back after about an 1 1/2 later and we headed out. We headed to another outlook of the city at Gianicolo Hill. It was another great view of the city! We walked back down the hill and went back to the apartment.
Morgan had a bought a cake earlier in the week for us, so we ate some of that when we got back. Morgan, being the wonderful host she is, made us some mac and cheese. So our supper consisted of mac and cheese, cake and our wine. It was a delicious mix for supper.
After we were done with supper we headed back out again. We walked through more piazza's and by the Pantheon. We stopped at a gelato place and got some gelato, pretty delicious. We then walked by Rome's parliament building, so Morgan says ;) and walked to the Trevi Fountain. The lights on the Trevi made it look so beautiful. Even though it was pretty late there were still a ton of people around. Next stop, the Spanish Steps. We made the trek up those even after the five flights we did earlier. As well as the 3+ flights up to Morgan's apartment. We stood at the top of the stops, overlooking the surrounding area and just taking in the sites, and watching the guys down below try to sell purses, wallets, and little toys that glowed. We then headed back, and eventually went to bed after our first day of Rome site seeing! Cheers
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sanotorini photos
I believe that is Fira
Restaurant Corners
I did take a picture of my delicious crepe
Fira
The Sea
Door with the sea in the background
Fira
Walkway in Fira
Looking onto the sea
Me and Fira
I have this thing with sun pictures
I'm holding the sun
Sunset in Santorini, what we saw of it
Church in Fira
Last day in Fira
Kelsey and I & her ipod that was practically glued to her hand ;)
The cruise ship that bombarded the island
I could take pictures here the rest of my life
Walkway by the cliff
Fira
Oia far off
Nice sunset from the ferry
Athens pictures
Temple of Zeus
Temple of Zeus
...
Athens
Random ruins in Athens
Pigeons after I fed them a pringle
National Garden
Pond in the National Garden
Silly Rooster, he was having fun
National Garden
In front of Presidential Palace
Lamb (sorry it's quite graphic)
Me and the Acropolis
Steps in Greece, very common
Street in Athens
More Ruins
Church we came across while walking
Mediterranean Sea
Kelsey and I enjoying the beach
Sea again
Joe, Aussie Scott, Canadian Scott, Kelsey, & 1/2 of me
At the beach
Pictures of Delfi I took from Kelsey :) (since she still owes me pictures!)
Ruins in Delfi
View from Delfi
This may be Apollo's Temple
Myself and Delfi
Delfi
Some statues they found in Delfi
Another one
Town near Delfi
Town
Town, again
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