Italy: Day 2, Part 2

Again, this is written from my journal, so it's weird.

At 4:00 p.m., we had an orientation meeting with the tour group and guide (whatever his name is) and then met up with everyone to walk to a group dinner and pizza-making presentation. By that point, we were about to eat each other but, thankfully, we were able to resist. They make their pizza, just like we make ours - crust first. The pizza was simple - tomato and cheese, mushroom, and then some kind of eggplant and green something that I couldn't recognize.  We also had out first bottle of wine in Italy. Over here they sell it in half liters too. Makes it way easier for two people to drink a bottle and finish it.

While we were eating, a man played the piano and another man sang. The singer was very expressive and loud. And energetic. He sang for tips to he tried to engage everyone. Matt and I got a picture with him when he forced our heads together for a kiss. It was the most unromantic kiss in the history of time.

After dinner, we went on a walking tour of Rome - including the underground. The Metro was shady to say the least. Lots of people. Hardly any directional signs. The Metro is built pretty far underneath the ground because the designers had to dig beneath the ruins of ancient Rome. We got off the Metro at Spagna to start our night walk. We first went to the Palazzo Spagna which is home to the Spanish Steps. The Steps, along with the church at the top of the steps, belong to France. Weird. There were lots and lots of pink and red azalea-type plants on the steps with lots and lots of people. But this is Rome, and there are people everywhere. The steps were really beautiful with the flowers and the moonlight. Worth seeing at night, for sure. We then went to the Trevi Fountain. Bernini's beautiful fountain. And huge fountain. It's at least 85 feet high and 65 feet wide. Huge. I didn't realize it would be so big. All of the main sights here have vendors outside selling everything from light-up squishy toys to keychains with Vespas on them. Annoying, but one way to know when something is worth seeing. We got our first gelato at the Trevi Fountain - Nutella and mint chocolate chip. Good, but just ice cream.

We then went to the Pantheon. Seeing that for the first time is something I hope I never forget. We walked around the corner and bam! there is was. Centuries and centuries and centuries old right in the middle of just single century buildings. We couldn't go inside because it was closed for the night, but the outside was incredible. It was originally built as a pagan temple in about 120 a.d. but was converted to a Christian church sometime in the 7th century.

We also made stops in Piazza Navona with the three fountains and a beautiful church. By that point, we were beyond tired. At 10:45, we went to the nearest bus stop to catch notorious bus #64. It's notorious because it is a favorite of pickpockets as the route of the bus hits all the major tourist spots. At length (you know, like 45 minutes), it came. We joined about 3.5 million other people to catch a ride back to the train station. Matt got frisked several times by would-be pickpockets and I didn't need to hold on to the handrail becuase I was up close and personal with about 20 of my newest friends. After lots of awkward touching and apologizing, we finally made it back to the hotel about midnight.

Our room (and the rest of Rome, I suspect) is not exactly up to date with modern features like air conditioning that works. Matt and I slept fitfully for about six hours before rolling out of bed at 6 a.m. to start our first full day in Rome.

Up next: Day 3, Part 1 where we explore the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palantine Hill. And get lost...