June 3-4, 2011: The Eternal City
An 8 hour plane ride later, we landed at Rome Fiumicino airport where we transported directly downtown to begin our adventures. After an inaugural two-scoop mint chocolate chip gelato, we made our way to the Vatican Museum. The tour started in the museum, led to the Sistine Chapel, and eventually made its way to St. Peter’s Brasilica (the biggest church in the world) and St. Peter’s Square. Everything was enlightening - the history, the architecture, the art - and it definitely evoked a huge sense of appreciation for the rich culture of this city.
The Vatican Museum Courtyard
A long hallway filled with beautiful artwork that led to the Sistine Chapel. (No pictures were allowed in the Chapel… rightfully so.)
Some of the girls inside St. Peter’s Brasilica
St. Peter’s Square
After a long day of traveling and touring through the museum, we were finally able to get some R&R at our first hotel, Hotel Colombo. All the hotels we stayed at were upscale, 4-star, accommodating hotels (now I know where all the money went to, mom and dad) and our means of travel throughout the trip was by coach bus. We were really fortunate, and spoiled, to have been able to stay at such nice places and have comfortable means of travel throughout our whole trip.
Our first room, with my roommates Cady and Emily
We wasted no time in Rome on day 2. After breakfast we had a guided tour to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Coliseum, among other sights.
Trinita dei Monti Church from the bottom of the Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna
Made the best wish at the Trevi Fountain :)
Coliseum
My attempt at amateur photography of the Arch of Constantine and the cobblestone path next to it
Later on that day we were scheduled for game 1: Team AIST vs Roma Calcio Femminile. It was a relatively nice facility - nothing compared to the NCAA locker rooms we use regularly during soccer season - but it was suitable and the host team was very welcoming towards us. I’ve come to realize little by little that we as a country are quite privileged… maybe we should take that less for granted. We won our first game 2-1, and I was even lucky enough to score the first goal of the trip! We tried to recruit some of the Italian girls to play college ball in the states, but our Italian was nothing short of terrible, so I don’t know if that got through. We still had a blast talking to all their players though!
Our team
After a long ride back to our hotel and an even longer shower, we jumped right back on the bus en route to downtown Rome… win #1 needed proper celebration! We had dinner at a restaurant in Campo di Fiori, a charming plaza encircled by restaurant patios, bar patios, and even a bar offering shots for 1 euro. Needless to say, we gave in.
Beautiful buildings on our way to Campo di Fiori
More amateur photography at RJ Numbs Ristorante
Loving the rain
We were only 2 days in at this point, and I had used more Spanish here than all of my first 3 college years combined! I love it. My favorite aspect of this trip (and traveling in general) is mingling with the locals and meeting new people. I find it so intriguing to learn how other people live their lives… where they come from, where they’re going. Italy is full of simple, happy people finding pleasure in the smallest things in a less complicated lifestyle. I would love to venture back abroad and be able to spend a bit more time in one place, get to know the community and embrace a different culture. I’m so glad this is only the beginning of our trip… we have so much more of Italy to soak up!
An 8 hour plane ride later, we landed at Rome Fiumicino airport where we transported directly downtown to begin our adventures. After an inaugural two-scoop mint chocolate chip gelato, we made our way to the Vatican Museum. The tour started in the museum, led to the Sistine Chapel, and eventually made its way to St. Peter’s Brasilica (the biggest church in the world) and St. Peter’s Square. Everything was enlightening - the history, the architecture, the art - and it definitely evoked a huge sense of appreciation for the rich culture of this city.
The Vatican Museum Courtyard
A long hallway filled with beautiful artwork that led to the Sistine Chapel. (No pictures were allowed in the Chapel… rightfully so.)
Some of the girls inside St. Peter’s Brasilica
St. Peter’s Square
After a long day of traveling and touring through the museum, we were finally able to get some R&R at our first hotel, Hotel Colombo. All the hotels we stayed at were upscale, 4-star, accommodating hotels (now I know where all the money went to, mom and dad) and our means of travel throughout the trip was by coach bus. We were really fortunate, and spoiled, to have been able to stay at such nice places and have comfortable means of travel throughout our whole trip.
Our first room, with my roommates Cady and Emily
We wasted no time in Rome on day 2. After breakfast we had a guided tour to the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Coliseum, among other sights.
Trinita dei Monti Church from the bottom of the Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna
Made the best wish at the Trevi Fountain :)
Coliseum
My attempt at amateur photography of the Arch of Constantine and the cobblestone path next to it
Later on that day we were scheduled for game 1: Team AIST vs Roma Calcio Femminile. It was a relatively nice facility - nothing compared to the NCAA locker rooms we use regularly during soccer season - but it was suitable and the host team was very welcoming towards us. I’ve come to realize little by little that we as a country are quite privileged… maybe we should take that less for granted. We won our first game 2-1, and I was even lucky enough to score the first goal of the trip! We tried to recruit some of the Italian girls to play college ball in the states, but our Italian was nothing short of terrible, so I don’t know if that got through. We still had a blast talking to all their players though!
Our team
After a long ride back to our hotel and an even longer shower, we jumped right back on the bus en route to downtown Rome… win #1 needed proper celebration! We had dinner at a restaurant in Campo di Fiori, a charming plaza encircled by restaurant patios, bar patios, and even a bar offering shots for 1 euro. Needless to say, we gave in.
Beautiful buildings on our way to Campo di Fiori
More amateur photography at RJ Numbs Ristorante
Loving the rain
We were only 2 days in at this point, and I had used more Spanish here than all of my first 3 college years combined! I love it. My favorite aspect of this trip (and traveling in general) is mingling with the locals and meeting new people. I find it so intriguing to learn how other people live their lives… where they come from, where they’re going. Italy is full of simple, happy people finding pleasure in the smallest things in a less complicated lifestyle. I would love to venture back abroad and be able to spend a bit more time in one place, get to know the community and embrace a different culture. I’m so glad this is only the beginning of our trip… we have so much more of Italy to soak up!
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