Euro Trip Recap: Take One

I'm going to have to break this post down into several different ones because there was just SO MUCH to talk about and so many pictures! I can't believe my trip is already over.. It went by so fast, but at the same time it seems as though we were there for way longer than ten days. I just moved all of the pictures I took on my phone to my computer and it's so bittersweet looking through all of them. It seems like it was all just a dream. A lovely, wonderful, majestic dream that I never wanted to wake up from. Anyways! I briefly wrote a little bit about our first few days of our trip, I honestly didn't really have much time to keep up with writing at all! I wrote in my journal as much as I could but in between jet lag, and going to bed really late, waking up really early, walking several miles every day... I couldn't really focus on writing anything. The first day we arrived in Rome, we met up with Tania, one of the staff members who immediately began rounding up our luggage and showing us to the bus. We fell in love with our tour guide, Sergio, right away. He began talking the minute we got on the bus and told us all about the different land marks we were passing, and shared a little bit of the history.  Our first stop was the Basilica of St. Paul, crossing the Tiber river to get there. We drove along the famous Ostiense Way, or Via Ostiensis, which was a very important road in ancient Rome that lead to the sea port Ostia Antica. At the Basilica of St. Paul, we heard a brief word spoken by Pastor John Collins, and then were let loose to wander around and take pictures. We met the other tour guide, Matej, and had him snap a few pictures of us and then wandered around the church.

Our warm welcome.

Entering St. Paul's Basilica

We found tourists from Ukraine!

Trying to decide on lunch with the help of Sergio.

For lunch, Larisa and I both chose a salad, and sat down to eat with Matej. I didn't eat much, being a little out of it after not having slept for nearly two days. Then, we hopped back onto the bus and drove to the Palatine Hill. We got off the bus and crossed the street to see a really beautiful rose garden, but after a few minutes L and I decided to go back to the Palatine Hill to take more pictures, seeing as we already see roses every day at home. After about ten or fifteen minutes, we headed to our next stop: Tre Fontane Abbey. This was the place where St. Paul was beheaded, and according to legend, his head bounced and struck the earth in three different places from whence fountains sprung up. After visiting the three sanctuaries, we headed to the hotel to freshen up a bit before dinner. On the way there, we passed the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Barberini Square, Triton Fountain, and Via Veneto. 

The Palatine Hill is one of the oldest parts of the city, and is the center of the seven hills of Rome. According to Legend, this is where Romulus and Remus were found. This is also where some of the wealthiest citizens, including several emperors lived.

At Tre Fontane Abbey.

Original Mosaic

Our first day we were kind of tired, but we were so excited that it didn't really matter. Everything was so beautiful. On our way to the hotel, we passed by many historic sites and buildings, including the Aurelian Walls, and the Pyramid of Caius Cestius. We also passed the balcony where Mussolini made his speeches. Day one was a huge success.

May 12, 2016

12:34 PM

We just arrived in Rome about an hour ago and we are now currently on a tour bus heading to meet the rest of our group. We were unable to stop at the hotel and get changed and freshened up so we have to wear the same clothes we've been in for the past 20 or so hours. We're a little hot and sweaty, but we figured we'd just make it an adventure! ;) the Italian language is beautiful! I don't think I will ever get tired of listening to our tour guide Sergio. Rome Is pretty dirty but it is very pretty nonetheless. I'm trying to see the city through my parents eyes after listening to them talk about it from when they emigrated 26 years ago. So far, I'm am pretty fascinated 

4:19 PM

We are on our way to the hotel where we will relax for a bit before dinner. We saw the Tre Fountains, St. Paul's Basilica, Paletine Hill, Circus Maximus, and the Rose Garden. Everything was so breathtakingly beautiful, I had goosebumps listening to the events that took place and just standing amidst so much history. We are so tired now though, having gone touring right off the plane and not having slept for 48 hours. I'm starting to feel a little sick so maybe I'll nap a bit before dinner. 

6:09 PM

Did not nap before dinner. I was afraid that if I would I wouldn't wake back up. I just had a granola bar though because I was starting to feel the room spin so my blood sugar level is pretty low. I am going through my videos right now that I took on my GoPro and I am very happy I purchased it. I wasn't very sure when I was first filming, it felt a little awkward and I didn't know if the angle was okay and etc. but they ended up turning out pretty awesome! We are staying at Parco Dei Principi and we feel like royalty here! They took our bags in for us and had our room keys ready before we even got there. Lar and I were filming on our balcony taking about how our family is missing out and what a good time we were having, and I laughed and told Larisa that even I'm jealous of ourselves it's THAT amazing. Anyways, I am running off to dinner (my hands are shaking). I have to find a way to add pictures from my phone.. Blogger doesn't have an app for iPhone (which I find very surprising) and it's actually kind of annoying. But, I'll make do with what I have. Ciao!

May 11, 2016 10:46 AM

I have waited months upon months for this day, and it is finally here. In less than 24 hours I will be in Rome, Italy. Currently, Larisa and I are on a plane to JFK New York. We left for Spokane yesterday around 3pm and went to Mashas apartment where she fed us tea and sandwiches. Then we traipsed off to the airport and took off for Seattle, and then Los Angeles. It had been two years since I have last flown, and I have to say I LOVE FLYING!! We flew out at around 8PM, Larisa sat by the window seat on the first flight and we sat there watching the planes around us take off. "This is my favorite part," Larisa said, "When we take off super fast out of nowhere." And before we knew it we were airborne. The grass was tinged with pink from the sunset, and soon the grass turned into mountains with snowy tops. The sunset on Mt. Rainer was absolutely breathtaking. On the way to the LAX I sat by the window in awe as the city lights grew smaller and smaller. I watched cars driving by on dark roads and lights flickered off one by one in the houses below. It was a weird feeling, flying thousands of feet watching the city whilst millions of people were going on with their lives going wherever it was they were going. It made me feel really small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  Anyways, we have 2hrs and 43 minutes left until we land in New York. I'm going to finish my bland coffee and lame movie. Until tomorrow! ;)