Sept 1- Rome

We got into Rome at 7:30am and were surprisingly awake (I wouldn't go so far as refreshed). Our first misadventure started when our train from the airport reached the Termini train station in the heart of Rome. We knew our hotel was really close to the train station, but could not find it. Our solution: ask a taxi driver. His solution: drive us what turned out to be barely more than one block (and yes that cost 7 euro).

After ditching our bags at the hotel we started our Roman explorations with the Colosseum and The Palatine. Which were both amazing. I wish we could see the Colosseum the way it was during its use, because of the deterioration it's hard to imagine how the seating worked and where the "stadium" floor was, but the fact that so much of it is still standing is amazing.

When we exited the Colosseum, we got a panini from a street vendor for lunch (this was our second misadventure because it cost a fortune), but it was a learning experience. We ate it sitting beneath the Arch of Constantine.

The Palatine was something I didn't know much about. It's basically ruins of a huge area that used to be filled with palaces. Every time a new emperor reined they would build another palace so the area kept expanding. The ruins are extraordinary and the views of the city from this site are breathtaking. It's a huge area and pretty hilly. We had a lot of fun poking around fallen columns and exploring what was left of these extraordinary buildings.

After a brief siesta back at the hotel we headed out again and enjoyed a slice of pizza while sitting on the Spanish Steps. They give you the pizza folded up in paper, so you eat it more like a sandwich than how we usually eat it at home. The steps were beautiful but watching the panhandlers work the tourists was the most fun part of sitting there. I don't get how they get anyone to buy the crap they are selling - it's bazaar.

From there we walked to Piazza Navona. During our walk we window shopped in the high end stores (Gucci, Prada, etc.) and enjoyed views of beautiful side streets with tiny cafes and shops. We also stopped for a little romp in a fountain near the Tiger River. Once at the Piazza Novona the best delights were the fountains, a little more people watching, and our first Italian bire (beer). We saw several interesting performers including someone dressed as a cowboy and someone as the Statue of Liberty. There was a wedding going on in the church, weird for a Monday night at 6pm.

We concluded our day of sightseeing at the Panthenon which just stunned me. I wasn't prepared for the inside. The dome is magnificent and it's impossible to capture in a photo because it's just too big. This is the oldest building that is still intact inside and out and we're lucky it is. It is stunning - I want to go back there before we leave. Defntely my favorite site of the day.

While in the Panthenon square we bought some stuff for a picnic tomorrow at a Salumeria. The owner was really nice and got really emotional when she showed us the letter she got from her nephew in the US. Lastly we found our first gelatto just across the square and sat on the steps facing the Panthenon while we ate.

It was a great first day!!! View the full slide show

:) Kristin