Rainy Day in Rome

A few weeks ago, Jakota and I went on a weekend vacation to Rome. She had found some cheap plane tickets online, so we jumped on the opportunity. Jakota had never been to Rome before, and this was my second time in Rome. The first time was five years ago and I was on the EuroTour with a bunch of other exchange students in Spain. On that trip we only got to spend one day in Rome, but even back then I wanted to stay longer. This time, travelling with Jakota, we stayed in Rome from Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon. I had so much more time to enjoy the sites, museums, and culture of the city.

Thursday evening Jakota and I just spent our time settling into our Bed and Breakfast. The next morning, we used our complimentary breakfast coupons at the cafe to order our breakfast. The coupons were good for a coffee and one pastry from the cafe. My favorite combination immediately became the cappuccino and the wild berry croissant. Then we rushed off to the Vatican to make it for our scheduled tour time. You technically aren't allowed to take pictures inside the Vatican museum, but you can take pictures inside the Basilica. I recalled all of the information I could from my guided tour of the museums five years ago. Unfortunately, my memory of the information is a little spotty because we were rushed through the museums so quickly last time. Not only were we rushed five years ago because of time constraints, but also because it was the beginning of peak tourist season in Rome when we went in mid June. I highly suggest travelling to Rome in the winter months because the Vatican was far less crowded this time. There was actually space to stop and admire the works of the great Renaissance artists instead of getting a glimpse of it before being shoved into the next room by a sea of migrating tourists.

We spent the rest of the day visiting all of the big sites we could in the northern part of the city.

Enjoying the view

A seagull enjoys the view, too.

Colosseum

Roman Forum (Where Julius Caesar was killed)

Partheon

I got to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain properly this time. Five years ago, the fountain was turned off and walled off due to repair and maintenance work. I hope I tossed it in right so that I get to return to Rome.

The Spanish Steps

 On day two, we visited a few more monuments including, the Mouth of Truth, and we also stopped by a museum and had some fun admiring the art and posing with the statues.

Good puppy!

 

I picked Constantine's nose!

For those wondering, I did not stick my hand in the Mouth of Truth. That is why there is no picture of me doing it. I didn't do it the last time I was in Rome either, and for the same reason I didn't do it this time. I can't imagine they can clean the thing, and at least a thousand people stick their hands in it every day.

 On day three I had my heart set on seeing some catacombs. The entire weekend had been unusually rainy for Rome, and this day on particular was very wet. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside the catacombs, but no worries, there were no dead bodies. The areas of the catacombs open to tourists normally don't have human remains in them anymore, or at least, the human remains are still sealed away. Any human remains that were once accessible to the public have been relocated, probably for the best since people have a tendency of taking anything they can pick up as a souvenir. Jakota and I ended up having a private tour because we were the only people who showed up for the English tour at that specific time. There was a Spanish tour that went into the catacombs before us, but in my experience, it is best to go with the smallest group available. The rest of our Sunday in Rome we spent at a very large gallery where we were also unable to take pictures. Usually you can take pictures in this museum, but there is currently a special Picasso exhibit in the museum, so people aren't allowed to take any pictures of anything, apparently.

 That afternoon, we went back to the airport and headed home to Almeria, just in time to start work early Monday morning.

Unfortunately, after returning to work, I caught a terrible virus that has been going around. Such is the life of someone who works in education. I basically spent a week and a half completely congested, fighting through terrible coughing fits while trying to teach. I used every single trick I know, and a few new ones, to keep it at bay. As of this weekend, I finally seem to be coming out of it, though my appetite is still shot.