So, Italy. The land of love and romanic. Or, for me, the land of pizza, pasta, caprese, wine, seafood, etc. My friend's here have coined me as the "garbage disposal", and I will gladly take the title because I am always willing to try something repulsive. We berthed yesterday (berth means to stop the boat in a port...funny I know), and my friends and I explored Naples for the day because our train to Rome didn't leave until 6:42 PM. So, we got off the boat around 10 am after messing around for a few hours and packing for the next week running around italy! We are going to Naples, Rome, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre (the background of my blog), Pisa, and Civitevecchia (where the boat will be). Before we left, we read the back of my friend Candice's picture in here room. It is Semester at Sea tradition to write a message to future Semester at Sea people on the back of the picture frames in everyone's room. Every room has one. And guess what? My friend Candice is staying in Kelly Anne's room! We read your message Kelly Anne! I can't believe it! It was super funny. People leave advice like don't sleep, be spontaneous, don't sweat the small stuff, it flies by, etc. But on Candice's picture frame, it said to unscrew the compartment under her desk for a "surprise". So, of course, we are like 6 year old kids and super excited, and we end up find condoms. Typical boy on SAS.
So, off to Naples. I learned a little about the city. Apparently Italy is very regional. The country is divided into North and South. They don't like each other, and they only unify for the world cup. Also, Naples isn't doing that well and is having a lot of trouble with crime, trash management, and city politics. So, we saw piles of trash everywhere, super sketchy people, and THE MOST AMAZING PIZZA I EVER HAVE HAD. I loved it and would go back for that pizza in a heartbeat. One of the guys making it became a close friend of mine. I pretty much ate a whole pizza myself and don't regret one minute of it. It was the same place Julia Roberts went in Eat, Pray, Love, and they had a picture of her on the wall. LOVE her. We saw a few of the sites in Naples, but nothing special other than the pizza and the cutest old man ever.
We went to the train station early to catch the train to Rome. Riding the train was definitely an experience. They definitely don't wait for anyone, and it left almost immediately upon arriving. But we made it. Don't worry. We got to our hostel around 10 which is this hip, pretty Americanized place. We booked a room for 6 even though there are only 5 of us, so that we wouldn't get a random person in our room. Best money spent ever. We settled in to our AWESOME bunk beds and headed to the Trevi Fountain because Maggie's 21st birthday was at midnight! We all threw in coins, and Maggie did at midnight. I then hung out at the bar for a bit while everyone else chatted online or went to bed. There is bar down stairs at our hostel, and I met two girls from South America last night. They were really cool and went to school in D.C., which helped the conversation. We got up early the next day and preceded to go to the Colosseum, The Forum, Palentine Hall, and the Pantheon. They all brought back strong memories of my trip here with my family a few years ago and made me miss them a lot. I remember where my dad went to buy pants because they lost his luggage and where my uncle almost passed out under a tree from the heat. It was fun to see it now though because I think I do appreciate it a little more and am even more thankful for that first trip here with my family. Thanks mom and dad. Love ya. The Pantheon is still by far my favorite "thing to see" in Rome. It is so old from the outside but is amazing from the inside with the hole in the top. I would LOVE to be in there when it rains, but I always seem to be here on beautiful days. Tough life huh?
We then went to this restaurant called the Cul-de-Sac which was a restaurant recommended by my guide book. It was DELICIOUS. Candice and I split a bottle of wine, and I had homemade raviolis filled with fresh cheese and deliciousness. I was in heaven. We then walked over to the Vatican just to see the outside because it is closed on Sundays. I love it there too. It is so cool to think that you are in a different country while you are there. We are now back at the hostel, and I will probably jump in the shower before dinner and hopefully a fun night out in Rome! I will let you know how it goes! Love and miss EVERYONE reading this. :-)
Anyways, we are back at the hostel now
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