What Happens in Rome...Stays in Rome

The following is a summary of the daily activities during my trip to Italy.

Thursday - Friday:

This was the departure day to Rome, and what an enduring day it was. I got to CVG at around 11, finally got my ticket, went through security and had about 2 hours to chill and hangout. During this time Jordan took me, Rachel, and Tyler to the Delta Crown Room. It was really sweet, they had free drinks, put put golf and telvision. After waiting we boarded the Cincinnati to Atlanta flight...After arriving we had about an hour and half to find our international flight...Waited around some more and finally boarded the Delta 767 flight.

The flight was really cool, it had been my first flight in several years, and it reminded me why I loved to fly. During the flight we were served dinner and breakfast, and had the opportunity to watch Fred Claus and Mamma Mia. During the flight we flew over Canada, London, Paris and almost to Greenland. My favorite quote from the flight comes from Dr Suckarieh "Is it the scotch or is the plane shaking." After flying for around 10 hrs we landed in Italy and the start of our trip.

After landing, we went out and caught a train to Rome itself. The train ran half and hour late, the train ride was not what I had expected. First glances of Italy had it look like a dump, a dirty place to live. But this changed very quickly. We eventually made it to Termini station, caught the Line A metro and made it to our hotel right outside of the Barbarini stop, near Trevi Fountain. We arrived at the hotel and learned that we would be the only occupants of the hotel, I also learned that I would be rooming with Logan and Jordan in the smallest room.

After this me, Jordan, Tyler and Rachel went out to search the area around our hotel.

The first place we went to was the Spanish Stairs.

This was really cool, it was my first look at Roman architecture, during this time they were constructing a Christmas tree which they eventually finished while we were there.

After stopping by this, we went over to the Trevi Fountain...and was it amazing

This is truly an amazing site in Rome, before going to Italy I had seen pictures of Trevi. But after looking at it, it was bigger and more amazing than I had thought. After this several of use went to a local pizza place, and enjoyed excellent Italian pizza. After A long day of traveling, I called it quites and went to bed at 9 pm.

Saturday:

Woke up, went to group meeting at 8:30 then went out for some sight seeing.

The first place we went to was Circus Maximus

History: The Circus Maximus (Latin for greatest circus, in Italian Circo Massimo) is an ancient hippodrome and mass entertainment venue located in Rome. Situated in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, it was the first and largest circus in ancient Rome. The site is now a public park and retains little evidence of its former use.

This was really neat to see, and just imagine what it might have just been...After this we walked around to find the Baths of Carcalla.

Baths of Carcalla

History: The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or thermae, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. The extensive ruins of the baths have become a popular tourist attraction. The bath complex covered approximately 13 hectares (33 ac). The bath building was 228 meters (750 ft) long, 116 meters (380 ft) wide and 38.5 meters (125 ft) estimated height, and could hold an estimated 1,600 bathers.

While at the baths, Me and Tyler were both amazed and in aw of the size of this ancient YMCA and wondered how the Romans built it with no modern day technologies.

After this we regrouped and headed over to the Theater of Marcello.

History: The Theatre of Marcellus (Latin: Theatrum Marcelli; Italian: Teatro di Marcello) is an ancient theatre built at the beginning of the Roman Empire. Its ancient edifice in the rione of Sant'Angelo, Rome, provides one of the city's many popular spectacles or tourist sites. It was named after Marcus Marcellus, Emperor Augustus's nephew and who died five years before its completion. Space for the theatre was cleared by Julius Caesar, who was murdered before it could be begun; the theatre was so far advanced by 17 BC that part of the celebration of the ludi saeculares took place within the theatre; it was completed in 13 BC and formally inaugurated in 12 BC by Augustus.

There is not really much to say about the theater. We were unable to enter or do anything with it. but still it was really neat to see it in person.

After this we went out and had lunch on our own, me and a small group found a small restaurant near the Pantheon. But before this we went to the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II.

After this we went to the Pantheon

The Pantheon was the highlight of the day for me. In my opinion this is the most preserved ancient building. The ancient architecture and beauty of it is amazing. It was also interesting to see the grave of Raphael.

History: The Pantheon (Latin Pantheon, from Greek Πάνθειον Pantheon, meaning "Temple of all the gods") is a building in Rome which was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt circa 125 AD during Hadrian's reign. The intended degree of inclusiveness of this dedication is debated. The generic term pantheon is now applied to a monument in which illustrious dead are buried. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history. The design of the extant building is sometimes credited to the Trajan's architect Apollodorus of Damascus, but it is equally likely that the building and the design should be credited to emperor Hadrian's architects, but not Hadrian himself as many art scholars once thought. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Catholic church. The Pantheon is the oldest standing domed structure in Rome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).

After a long day me, Tyler, Jordan went over to see the flooded Tiber River and the Vatican for the first time. We also went to see the Bernini museum right next to the President of Italy's house.

After this me, Jordan, Molly, Rachel, David and Brian went out to see the night life of Rome...we found both the good and the bad side of the city. After this called it a night.