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Published: September 22nd 2008
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We arrived in Bari, Italy early the next morning from the overnight ferry feeling rested and ready to take on Italy (well maybe not really rested as sleeping on the ferry is surprisingly not as comfortable as you would imagine). Without too much difficulty we managed to make it to the bus station and catch the next bus to Rome. Quickly realizing buses in Italy were on a different level then Greyhound; we had leather reclining seats, room for five, and a nice view from the upper level of the bus. We sprawled out and slept like babies.
By the time we arrived at our hostel in was late evening and we were ready for a hot shower. This was not in the cards. We arrived at our hostel, paid in cash for our accommodations, and THEN we were informed by the receptionist (who was without a doubt sexually confused and was the spitting image of a man stuck in the closet) that there was no hot water. NONE. Nota. Nilch. Stone cold, glacier water was all the taps had to offer. Apparently this had been the case for the past five days. They had accepted our reservation one day
Traffic control in Rome
This could be a problem.. prior and were offering no discounts, or alternatives. Clearly this was unacceptable to any Canadian girl, however, when you throw it to a Polish public health inspector it just isn't pretty. Before we even set our bags down an email was being typed to management telling just how unacceptable the situation was. Feeling blue, one of our fellow hostel mates invited us out for our first Italian dinner. We happily accepted and the food was amazing (drink + salad + vegetables + pasta + dessert = for 10 Euros, who could beat that?.
The following morning we awoke ready to take on Ewelina's list of sites. First was the Piazza del Gesu where we visited the astounding Il Gesu church. The interior of the church will definitely live up to its legacy in our minds. We walked in the church and were mesmerized by all the gold and marble. Besides the amazing paintings in every church and museum we have stepped foot in, this church had an additional feature of white stucco and marble sculptures that seemed to break out of the church walls. It was incredible and Jill's favourite so far.
Next on the list was Piazza
Pasquino where we visited the statue named "Pasquino" named after a tailor working nearby who had a reputation for complaining. We also decided at this point we could wait no longer to try some Italian Pizza. Mmmm was it good. Ewa discovered her love for Italian cappuccino and Jill discovered wine was cheaper than water.
We then visited Piazza Novona and the fountains by Bernini all very nice. Then we were off to see our first Italian market Campo de Fiori, lots to see and thankfully nothing to buy.
Close by was the gorgeous Trevi Fountain and we are both afraid photos will not do it justice. We took a moment to throw three coins with our right hand over our left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain for good luck. We will see if our wishes come through at the end of this trip...
Then we visited the Palatine Hill which contains the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. Lots of stairs. Tired of stairs. The Roman Forum which is in the same area, is filled with hallowed ruins where the most powerful seats of government in the world sat. Shocking to
Our first slice of Italian Pizza
The pizza is 4 flavours for the 4 seasons. Ewa this translates to a giant pile of rocks that are all very dirty and dusty. "How can they charge for this rubble?"
After we went in search for what Hollywood had made Rome famous for, the Colosseum. After arriving, the decision was made to save it for another day.
Going back to the hostel we were surprise to discover we were being moved, wether we liked it or not. However, we were reassured the new hostel was close by and a definite step up in accommodations. HAH. They were wrong. We were welcomed with a bottle of wine (trust us it goes down hill from here), and were showed our bunk beds. Jill without even looking around made a dash for what she hoped would be a hot shower. It was, until someone flushed the toiled, turned on the tap, or sneezed, then it was a shot of lightning cold water. Ewa went is search for a computer (aka evening plans) where she discovered a line. 30 beds + 1 computer = Angry Ewa
The night was spent enjoying the Trevi Foutain in its evening glory and a number of lovely street vendors (They are honestly
Palatine Hill
Walking up the steps everywhere). A nearby Italian posh lounge was calling our name so we went in and let two Italian guys buy us a drink. They then kept us entertained by there stories of sailing, careers, and business trips, but all we heard was sailing and old (what can we say, they were old).
Day number three was the Vatican City. Unfortunately we had a bit of a late start due to the horrid sleeping conditions (Ewa spent the night counting the mattress springs in her bed). Awful. We took the metro to the Vatican (very big step for us considering we walk everywhere) and were met by the Swiss Papal Guards posted at the entrance in their brightly coloured uniform (very similar to what you would imagine a court jester to wear). The St. Peters Basillica was similar to other churches we had seen especially in Paris, however, on a much grander scales. Mass was in Italian, but Ewa enjoyed none the less. Next we visited the Vatican's post office where we spent a good hour or two catching up and sending as much as we could. The Vatican has an outstanding reputation for delivery, unlike the Italian postal service.
After we left the center to visit the Vatican Museum which houses the exquisitely decorated Sistine Chapel, famous for work done my Michelangelo. It was worth the wait (and it was a very long wait). We left feeling we had seen one of the world's wonders but had wished we could have been the only ones there to witness it. It was tough to have 'a moment' when you are interrupted by Italian guards yelling "NO pictures and NO talking!" We ended the day of site seeing at the Colosseum, where Ewa decided Hollywood made it look much better.
For the evening we met up with some backpackers at a popular Roman hangout for a few drinks and some conversation. We also met a new face who claimed to work for Dolce and Gabbana, and was supposedly on his way to Milano for Fashion Week (what are the odds?). We were then told we 'just had to come to fashion week'. Ewa looked him up and down and decided this was just too good to be true. He even tried to entice us with offers of being 'dressed' and 'bags'. We decided to listen to our mothers and play
it safe. Later we 'googled him' only to find out he was the real thing. Damn.
Our final day in Rome included walking around the city four times and some shopping.
We saw;
-Piazza del Popolo defined by the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli where the entrance is also known as the Tridente,
-Piazza di Spagna and walked the 138 Spanish Steps which are the longest and widest staircase in all of Europe
-The Pantheon,
-Piazza della Minerva where the centerpiece is a statue of an elephant by Bernini with an ancient obelisk on its back
And Jill bought beautiful leather boots.
Saying goodbye to Rome wasn't easy, but we were both excited to see what the rest of Italy had to offer.
Love Ewa and Jill
P.S. This blog will also be updated at a later date with photos from Ewa camera. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Allison
non-member comment
Trevi Fountain
Isn't throughing the coins with your right hand over your left shoulder supposed to mean you are wishing for marriage?? :) wink, wink.