A Duck Walks Into a Pub: Day 15: Rome

We were up bright and early in Venice with clean clothes and slight sunburns to start our day. It would be a rather uneventful one, as the 8 hour drive to Rome would eat up most of our daylight. No glamourous island lunch stops this time- instead we settled for an Autogrill, which seem to be quite popular rest stops in Italy. Filled with cheap pizza and sandwiches, we finished our after lunch drive and arrived in Rome late in the evening.

The hotel this time was super centrally located. The main train and bus station, Termini, was only a block away. However, this was also probably the sketchiest neighborhood we had stayed in so far. Happy to trade luxury for convenience, we showered up and prepared for a walking tour of Rome with Mike.

After a quick train ride, we arrived near the Trevi Fountain. I have spent so many lectures in high school and college studying this piece and it was just as impressive as I had imagined it would be. We through 2 coins into the water ( the first to come back, the second for good luck) and continued through the heart of the city. We stopped near the Pantheon, burying place of Rafael and another marvel of my undergraduate art history class. We plan on coming back during the day to see the oculus and dome from the inside.

After a few more fountains and landmarks, our Texas group (and Natalie, our honorary member from New York) sat down to dinner with Mike. It was our first big Italian meal, complete with sangria and an after dinner espresso which I am undeniably developing an addiction for. We took a night bus home from dinner and went for a wild ride when a cab suddenly slammed on the brakes in front of us. I don't know what it is about my vacation adventures, but it seems like public transit is always out to get me.

Quite an uneventful day by this trip's standards, but just as enjoyable nonetheless. Tomorrow morning brings a full day of touring starting with the Colosseum.

Dreaming of scenes from Gladiator,

Russell