Rome is just splendid, ancient and breathtaking!

Rome has so much to offer, my life is complete day by day! After a full night's rest (thanks to melatonin and dramamine) I was up and ready for fun and walking, lots of walking. Since it is Sunday, we were in dresses and headed to Rome 2nd ward. Unfortunately that part of Rome wasn't on the map so we just crossed out fingers, prayed and kept asking people for directions. We were told to go right, then left, got off bus 90, back on, back of and walked then directed to get off bus 90. Aaahhh, make up your minds Romans :) We were finally blessed with directions when we asked an Asian lady who was smoking where Piazza Carnaro is and Via Panario. She asked in English "why?" then in Italian "Perque?" We said that we wanted to go there, and again why? When she asked if we were looking for Mormones, we were elated! She walked us there while saying her husband is a member, one of those good active ones :)

We were escorted upstairs, watched the first meeting on a projector screen and given headphones! Church was translated! Afterward we went to Vatican City to see St. Peter's Basilica. It was majestic and very very impressive. We then walked to Trevi Fountain, one of Europe's most famous fountain, then walked along a small alley way with art displayed, and came to the Pantheon! It was built in 125 AD and the Pope reconsecrated it in 609 as a Christian church. At this point the rain started to pour, and pour and pour. I decided rather than be soaked, to buy a 5 Euro umbrella which I bartered down for 4 Euros.

Walking through the streets of Rome, getting rained on was so adventurous and mysterious. It was an eerie feeling walking through the forum, the Roman ruins and knowing how many thousands of people have walked here. We meandered through puddles to the Colosseum, that is right... THE colosseum, nearly 2000 years old and the largest amphitheatre in the whole of the former Roman Empire.

While using the metro I had flashbacks and longing to be in Kharkov and Moscow. I love metros! So many times today I overheard Russian, so joined in the conversation :) 3 people on the metro were from Ukraine and one guy kept asking me, "So, you're not from Ukraine?" and "You're parents are not from Ukraine?" He was just so stunned that some American girl was touring Rome AND able to converse in Russian.... I was pleased.

I ate a delish pizza for lunch, and for dinner :) I also had some divine gelato, my new favorite flavor is pistachio. I am lovin' this life!