When in Rome...

My friend A and I don't consider ourselves tourist, but travelers. Tourists (no offense) tend to have an agenda. We are going here at this time and doing this, eating that, pooping at this time. Sometimes, they're so focused on what they want to do, they forget to enjoy themselves and appreciate the little things on their way. In our trip to Italia, we learned the beauty of being a true traveler. Here's some things I learned while in Rome, to be more specific.

First things first. When you go ANYWHERE, make sure to have comfortable shoes. This might seem like the most logical thing, but it isn't to all of us. As a girlie girl, I tend to want to look cute at all times. This has impaired my better judgment many times. Sure, guys tend to compliment my shoes, but the price I pay is just too high. Having your feet pounding and swollen cause of your "style" is NOT cool. My friend A went with chucks all the way; except for the nights we went out.....I think she wore boots. She did not have to go through the agony I went through. I, on the other hand, decided to go with the more stylish flats (God, why!?) and 5 inch heels for the night out. Mind you, I can rock heels any day and my tolerance for them is pretty high. My new friend Marco said: "Rome is not high heels friendly, you're brave!" He was totally digging the heels, but he was also totally right. I'm sure I would have gotten attention without the heels just fine. Needless to say, my coach "sneakers" aren't meant for walking either. So, just because they're sneakers, it doesn't mean they're going to be comfortable. MAKE SURE YOU WEAR VERY COMFORTABLE SHOES!

Now that you have your comfy shoes and hopefully checked the weather and dressed appropriately, you are ready to start the most magnificent journey. ROME: The Eternal City.

Like I said before, these are just some of the things I consider MUST DOS while in Rome. First, you MUST take a guided tour of the Colosseum. I'm starting with the Colosseum cause it was my dream to stand by this place for ages and I was NOT disappointed when I did. It costs €5. extra for the guide, but it is SO WORTH IT! Yes, the Colosseum will be magnificent even if you don't know what it used to look like or what it was used for. It will be magnificent whether you go there by yourself or the love of your life. But having the knowledge of what the doors were used for, where the different classes would sit, where the facade of the Colosseum stands today, why it's missing what is missing, and more is just FASCINATING. Our friend H didn't get the guided tour, but lucky for her, we did the summarized version as we were walking out. I could sense the emotion A and I had was WAY more than the one H had as we left this lovely place. Pay the freaking five euros. You'll be happy you did!

Moving right along... right across the street from the Colosseum is the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I hope you were taking notes when I mentioned the comfy shoes. You can literally spend all day walking here. We brought it down to a few hours, but still. The ruins, the trees, the floor, and the magnitude of this place is simply breath taking. Take time, you will be reading this a lot, to take this place in. Just walk SLOWLY and appreciate where you are standing, darn it! Also, don't be scared of having a cappuccino when you get tired in the middle of the day... it's the boost you need to continue- it's like magic!

You're probably gonna be hungry in between those two. That's no problem. If there's one thing romans know to do is eat. There's busses right outside the Colosseum where you can grab a sandwich. You don't need to go to a sit down restaurant. Remember I told you you have a long day ahead of you at the Forum. Also, while you're walking between one and the other, you might see a few guys handing out fliers for a pub crawl. Make sure you grab one!!!!! You don't need it, but that way you don't forget to go change after the forum and go back to the front of the Colosseum to meet with these guys and have a GREAT time. If I'm not mistaken, it is €20, but it covers 2 hours of all you can drink and drink games, a t-shirt, and 2 other clubs where the locals hang. So worth it!

On another day, you MUST go visit the Spanish Steps. Yes, it is just steps. RGH! I can't believe I just wrote that. No, it's not just steps, unless you are a retard! Seriously, you have to just take your time, SIT, and freaking breathe. BREATHE, take it in. It's so great! So great! If you have someone to make fun of other people with, it's even better, but if not, no worries, it will still be great.

You could eat some gelato while you are taking the steps in. Gelato in Italy is AMAZING! So is the prossuito, the pizza, the tiramisu, and the pasta.... I did tell you they know how to eat, so forget about dieting while in Rome. You'll be losing weight from all the walking you'll be doing anyway, so eat on!

So you took the steps in for a little while and had a conversation with an italian. Hey, don't tell me you're going to Rome and not even attempting to have a conversation with a true roman. They're accent is to die for. Try it! They'll try to understand you too.

Dear Fontana di Trevi,

   

  How terrific are you! I love you!

Yours truly,

Marie.

Again, take your time, take it in. We had prossuito ham and wine by the fountain, made fun of the guys that won't take no for an answer trying to take your pic, and threw some € (euros, in case you hadn't figured it out yet) while we were at it. You have to see it during the day, but also at night. It's two completely different "to do" items.

Last, but not least by any means, The Vatican. Again, take your time to take it in. There's just something about these places that make them magical. You have to go into the Basilica and see the original Pieta, you have to see how there's skulls and dragons inside where the Pope gives mass. You MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST see the Sistine Chapel. Even if you're not Catholic; I swear the Vatican has so much more to do with art than it does religion. Guess what I'm going to say next.... :) Yes, take your time and take it in!!!!! YOU HAVE TO! All I have to say about this place where you are not to take any pictures by the way is WOW!!!! Yes, enjoy the gardens and the museums, but if all else fails, don't leave Rome without going inside this charming place.

There's tons and tons to see and take pictures of. I can suggest to bring an extra €2 so you can buy yourself a converter and bring your camera charger, so that you can charge your batteries every night. But again, you have to walk as much as you can, so you can take the sites in. Talk to as many people as you can and don't leave it for when you go to the club cause you won't be talking there. Eat as much as you can and have fun while asking for smelly cheese for your brother to someone that ONLY speaks italian (oh wait, that's just me). Most importantly, LEAVE YOUR CELLPHONES AT HOME!

Hope this is helpful. Til next time... thanks for reading.