Rome: Take two

    Lots of marble men staring gallantly into the distance, drawing your gaze to the 3 things that it seems is mandatory for statues: a bulging but covered penis, a flowing cape, and probably a horse or sword. That is Rome. But before we got to Rome, slight mishap with the flight. First we thought it left at 745pm not 945. Then it was delayed until 10 30. Then when we got there, no surprise, busses have stopped running. By chance, after awhile, a night bus decided to come for 4euro! After much wandering around (our handcrafted map from the bus station to hostel held one street name) we finally got into bed by 3am.We're adjusting from Berlins traffic laws to Rome's super speedy chaos of cars and vespa's, pedestrians dodging every direction. Piazza Del Popolo was a beautiful, large, open piazza right beside a wild palace with a breathtaking city view. We climbed the Spanish steps. Nice view from the bottom, but very truly just steps. The Trevi Fountain was so crowded you could hardly get close enough for the picture, but completely worth it. After much searching found a little pizza and pasta restaurant for 5 euro! To unwind at night, we sat (finally) in Piazza Navona to people watch and listen to music (m&d it hasn't changed one bit).

    Then up and at `em! First we saw the Ports Pia, then strolled through the wild, jungle-like Villa Borghese park.  Picturesque lakes, ruins, statues, birds, and gardens under canopy trees made it snag #1 park spot. We saw the National Art Gallery, which had one floor covered in broken glass with marble pillars and statues on it. The exhibited was Emilio Isgro (look him up). He has rooms with pianos, statues and blacked out books, with ants slowly infesting the entire room. Not sure we get it. Another room was dark and held 20 clocks ticking faster and faster. Each face has a scene painted on it, often with white washed faces or black holes (gives you the creeps). Very spine tingling. It represents the massacre at Bolognese Station.

    Then 2 became 4. Zander is a guy we met in our London hostel who we decided to bunk with in Rome along with his friend. Best decision! We went through the colloseum with them and saw the ancient ruins. Amazing to touch stones and see what still remains from the great empire. Venezia beside it is the largest building yet so white that it blinds you with its glorious walls and huge statues decorating it. The giant dome ceiling of the Pantheon was pretty cool too. And then there was the Vatican. This enormous catholic center far surpasses any church we've seen. But mixed emotions. Is that grandeur really necessary? Good use of money? It sure radiates power. It also has 5 museum sections of old religious art. And the Sistine Chapel. One night we met up with the guy's Italian friend Cecelia, who showed us the biggest and cheapest ice cream, and a secret hole in a door that shows a hedge framed perfect view of the Vatican. Then she brought us to a birthday grill out in the middle of Circus Maxim us (where the chariot races were). It's now a giant field beside the colloseum and ruins, where we ate homemade Italian food and drank sangria by candlelight.

    And so my family Italy trip had its benefits: dad can read a map, money isn't tight, you eat at restaurants not grocery stores, and it's slower paced. You also probably don't live in a seedy area with no windows and giant rats outside. BUT there is magic in experiencing it with friends, sharing in the wonder, going at breakneck speed till your feet ooze (first time), and feeling absolutely accomplished.  With family however, you also probably wouldn't be up at 330am with 2hrs sleep to walk to a bus stop and then fly to Croatia. But we are Keelin and Jess, and so we do! And the wonder at seeing the most beautiful natural scenery ever has kept us awake all day.