I just shaved my legs in the
tiniest shower while the water fluctuated between warm and cold and now I am
laying on a big bed, in my pjs and clean and I couldn’t be more content. Let’s
talk about today. Let’s do it from the beginning. I went to an AC Siena soccer
game last night (I should blog about that soon) and got hot chocolate after and
when I got home I decided it was a good time to take care of where I will live
in the winter since I still haven’t figured that out. Anyway, moral of the
story is I went to bed around 2 a.m. Consequently, I was very much tired today
and didn’t get down to breakfast until about 8:30, half an hour later than when
I usually make it to the table. I seriously can barely remember breakfast… it
seems like eons ago.
After breakfast and barely getting
ready for the day, Amber and I set out to do a little shopping. There is some
seriously cute stuff in Siena. It is also seriously expensive. So I usually
just drool over shoes and bags and clothes. Obviously not literally, that would
be gross, but some stuff is really, drool worthy beautiful, but alas, I did not
purchase anything today. And while I looked through coats at Unite Colors of
Beneton, suddenly it was time to go to work! I rushed off to Piazza Gramsci just
as I saw a bus driving away! But fret not dear ones, it was not my bus. I bet
you thought it was; don’t worry, I was fooled too. But all was well and I went
to work and slaved over the news and recording. Just kidding, I was just really
tired and speaking seemed so impossible today. Some days things just click and
I hear clearly and speak semi-competently, and others it’s all uh’s and come’s. After work I wanted food, but I also wanted
drink since my last sip of water had been the night before when the soccer
people made me throw out my precious water bottle. So I decided to finally try
the granite. A granita is basically like a slushee, but classier because it’s
Italian; the same thing happens with soda. I got a lemon flavored one and it
made me oh, so happy. I definitely want to try many other flavors.
Once I
finally got home I packed things up and Amber and I were off to Rome! Sort of.
We lugged our shared, heavy suitcase all the way to P. Gramsci only to find the
next bus left in about 2 hours. Fabulous. So we looked at shops again. Oh, and
got my favorite pizza in Siena for dinner. Today was a good day for food. When
it was 6, we really did begin our travels to Rome. The bus ride was bumpy and
jerky and I don’t like riding busses for long distance traveling and, overall,
it was not the best thing that’s ever happened to me. We kind of had an idea what to
do when the bus got to the station, but not really. We knew we had planned to
take the metro, and after much confusion and asking for help, we finally figured
out how the metro get us where we thought we need to be. This was my first time
on a subway, and it was super cool. The first subway we took was ghet-to.
Graffiti all over everything and super trashed and it looked straight out of
Gotham City. It kind of reminded me of those
portable spook houses you find at carnivals and county fairs. Again,
super cool. The second we took was much nicer and there was a huge group of
kids and they should have been annoying, but I was just loving them because
they were singing and being silly and it was just fun to see. After we got
off the metro, we were officially in the
city! And we had no idea what to do again. We asked some guy and he told us to
just keep going right. And guess what we found. The VATICAN. Uh, yeah. Just
sort of stumbled on it, nbd. It was nighttime and all lit up and it was
beautiful and huge and literally awe-inspiring. I think it was my favorite
single moment since I’ve been here.
After that
magical moment, the trip began to go south (in reality, I have no idea where we
were going; this was part of the problem). We asked lots, and lots, and lots of
people to help us find the street, but here’s the thing, ITALIAN ROADS MAKE NO
SENSE. We wanted #13 and we found #15 and the road just changed. No explanation
where those other 13 numbers went, THEY JUST VANISHED. And we wandered and
people were really trying hard to help us and being so nice, but they have
lives and we can’t speak super well and people can’t just help us all night.
Anyway, I have no idea how, but somehow we found it. Oh glorious day… er, night.
The B&B is nice, but the internet isn’t working. Right now all I want is
breakfast, and the good news is I can sleep while I wait. And I certainly will.
Saturday, September 29, 2012: Siena, Italy
Today was my first official day in
Rome and it was beautiful. The B&B gave me tea and a pastry for breakfast
and it was delicious. I had gotten used to the packaged pastries that are so
common here, and a freshly made croissant was such a delight.
After
breakfast and getting ready, Amber and I headed off to the Vatican. First we
looked around Piazza San Pietro and found the longest line waiting to get into
St. Peter’s Basilica. We were on our way to the end of the line when some guy
(one of many) was just persuasive enough to convince us to join his guided tour
of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and the basilica. It ended up being
pretty expensive, but I think it was worth it because I learned some new things
and our tour guide lady was just too cute. We didn’t get to see all of the
Vatican Museums, but what we did see was beautiful. After that we went down to
see the Sistine Chapel. I still can’t believe I was able to actually see such a
significant and historical piece of art with my own eyes. It was beautiful, but
alas, I followed the rules and didn’t get any pictures or video. Everyone just
needs to go see it themselves. The chapel is considered a sacred place and they
request you be silent, but there is always chatter. People would periodically
shh really loudly and the sound would decrease, but after about a minute begin
to pick back up. Aren’t humans funny like that? We then went on to St. Peter’s
and saw the Pieta by Michelangelo which has always been such a beautiful and
meaningful piece to me. It was also lovely and wonderful to really see it. We
continued to wander the church and underground where the sacristy of St. Peter
is and lots of other popes are buried. People even left flowers at some of
them, and I think it’s sweet and inspiring they still respect some of them
today. Once the tour was finished, Amber and I were tired and hungry and to
make a long story short, we ended up getting incredibly lost and still hadn’t
eaten and it was a very stressful and trying time of my life. But, in the end,
all was well. We (just barely) caught a bus into the city, got some dinner and
walked to the Pantheon. It is so old, and cool and beautiful because it is
still a church. After that I decided I wanted some gelato and some of the girls
from the study abroad who already spent two weeks in Rome recommended a place
near the Pantheon to me. It’s called Giolitti’s and it was wonderful. The store
is large and the big neon sign outside beckons to you to come inside for a huge
cone of gelato. When you come in there
are people crowded all around looking at all the flavors of gelato and the
servers wear green vests and plaid bowties and there is a long counter filled
with pastries. And the strawberry gelato was so, so good. I loved it all.
It was
starting to get dark, and despite what I thought, I felt very safe because Rome
nightlife is great. So many people are out eating, looking at the city and all
the lights, walking their dog and chatting with friends. And sometimes you can
hear an accordion serenading someone. I love it. So we were walking back,
eating our delicious gelati, when I saw a purse store I had to go into. I’ve been
wanting a nice, leather purse just from Italy to take home and use forever. And
I just couldn’t find one that I loved and was in my price range. But it
happened tonight and I am in love and I bought my purse to take some and
cherish forever. Hopefully other people will appreciate it for all it’s worth
(which is actually less than my favorite leather pair of boots, so it was a
pretty nice steal of a deal!).
At this
point, I was exhausted and ready to head back to the B&B before dying, so
we hopped on a bus and road right up to our hostel door. It was lovely.
Here are
some random things I want to share but I am currently to lazy to incorporate
them into the above narrative:
-
I think Rome is my favorite city in Italy thus
far. I was so nervous to come because I heard so much about pick pocketing and
scary people and it is such a big, busy city that I thought I wouldn’t like it,
but it is beautiful and has such a rich history and there is so much to do.
Sometimes when I walk around I think about how long this city has been here and
all that had happened and all the people who have walked these streets and it
blows my mind. I love it and I hope I can come back. Soon.
-
Romans are so nice! Seriously, everyone we’ve
talked to has been super friendly and helpful and it’s wonderful.
-
I thought I had more to say but that’s really
it. Please excuse my poor structure and
writing…