La Dolce Vita

Yes, yes, it's already November, and I haven't gotten around to updating! I'm going to start with this past week, which I spent in Italy! It's fresh in my mind, so I figure I should start with it.
I left for Florence Friday, October 26th. We got into Pisa around 8pm, and then took an hour bus into Florence. We eventually found our hostel and then went and ate our first dinner of many. I had some delicious spaghetti carbonara.

Me, Annie, and Audrey on Ponte Vecchio

We spent Saturday exploring Florence, and then Sunday we took a day trip to Cinque Terre! Cinque Terre are five small towns along the Mediterranean coast, and there are hiking trails between them all. We only did the first hike, which took us about an hour and a half and was pretty tough! We didn't have enough time to hike the rest, so we took the 5-10 minute trains between them instead. We got lucky and had a sunny day, and everything was beautiful!

Me in Cinque Terre on a gorgeous day!
Postcard perfect towns in Cinque Terre!

On Monday we went to Siena for the day. We took a 70 minute bus ride through the hill towns of Tuscany during the perfect time of year. The leaves were changing on the trees, and I dreamt of someday renting a villa and spending an autumn in Italy. Siena itself was a cute little town that was battling with Florence for power in the middle ages, until the plague came through and wiped out over half the population. The main square, called Il Campo, is at the town hall and I ate gelato at Natalie's favorite gelateria in all of Italy.

Tuesday was our last full day in Florence, and unfortunately, it was rainy. I went to the Science museum in the morning and saw the lens through which Galileo discovered Jupiter's moons, as well as his middle finger. I'm not sure why Galileo's finger is in the museum.. but it was interesting to say the least. I went into the Duomo after lunch and lit a memory candle while Charlotte climbed up Brunelleschi's famous dome. After that, the rain reduced to a drizzle, and I explored on my own for a while. I got some gelato at Vivoli's, which was quite delicious (I ate gelato every day!), saw Santa Croce, where Michaelangelo and Galileo's tombs are.

Me and the Duomo in Florence!

Wednesday, Halloween, I got up and checked out of the hostel and decided to take an earlier train to Rome so I'd have a bit more time there. I went to the San Lorenzo Market before going to the train station and picked up a few souvenirs. The train ride was about 3 hours and 45 minutes, and then I was in Rome!

I found our hostel, and figured out what I wanted to try and see while in Rome. At 5pm I went and picked up the rest of the girls at the train station and showed them how to get to the hostel. That night, Annie and her friend Kristy, who is studying in Rome, came and showed us around! I saw the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon all lit up at night.

Thursday we all tried to go to the Borghese Gallery, but there were five of us and only 4 reservations, so Jess and I decided to skip out. We explored Rome in the rain, and saw the Spanish Steps, the Ara Pacis, and the Piazza del Popolo. We tried going to the Colosseum in the afternoon, but it had closed early because of All Saints Day! We took some pictures, and then went back to the hostel and out to dinner.

Me in front of the Colosseum the day it was closed

Friday, my last full day in Rome, was quite busy. We woke up and tried to go to the Vatican Museum, but the line was gigantic! The other girls weren't leaving until 6pm on Saturday, so they agreed to come back then and try to see the Sistine Chapel, because I didn't want to wait and risk missing the Colosseum again. We went into the Vatican and jumped in line for St. Peter's Basilica. It was quite beautiful inside, huge and very light, and so different from the churches in France. We grabbed -guess what- yup! More gelato! and then went over to the Colosseum, and did a tour inside. I learned all about a typical day at the Colosseum 2000 years ago, and we got some free time to explore. Afterwards we did an included tour of the Palatine Hill and ended up at the Forum. We then walked over to Trastevere and met up with Annie and Kristy for our last dinner in Italy. I had pizza. : )

In Vatican City! Looking towards St. Peter's Basilica

Inside of the Colosseum, recreating Gladiator!

I am in LOVE with Italian food!!!

Saturday I woke up early, and took a train to the airport with Lara. I finally got back to my apartment around 3:30 in the afternoon, and I spent it lazing about! I watched episodes of Grey's Anatomy, The Office and Scrubs online and spent the night not doing anything. It was wonderful.

Today has been just as lazy! But tomorrow I have to go back to the real world. Waking up and grocery shopping, followed by a day of studying and then a test at 5pm. I think tonight I'll dream of Italy and the amazing food. I can't wait to go back someday.