Wheb in Rome.... Part I

Spain was amazing and we were sad to leave it behind but were equally excited to see Rome and venture into Italy for the first time. We had heard so many good things about it we couldn't wait. We decided to catch a plane to Rome from Barcelona because the 15 hour train ride didn't sound as fun as 3 hours by plane. We told ourselves that this would be the last plane ride we take on our trip until we fly home to LAX because we had purchased an unlimited Euro rail pass and we had to make the most of it because it wasn't cheap!
So now we're at the Rome train terminal at the airport and ready to head towards our hotel. As you can see, Elaina is pretty excited too.

Well, our excitment soon turned to WTF?! As we traveled through Rome and its outskirts we were taken back by the poverty that the city has so close to it's well known touristy center. Our hotel is only 5 miles from the city center and was surrounded by housing projects, prostitutes, and graffitti. Since it was already getting late we stayed the night in our hotel which was really nice and really safe. It just happened to be in a bad part of town. The next morning we checked out even though we had booked for 5 nights. They told us it was a 2 night minimum which we remembered when booking so we left anyways and just ate the cost of the second night. Live and learn I guess?

Day 2 in Rome was much better. We found a hotel near a metro and it was 1 block from the largest piazza in Europe, Vittorio Emanuele II. Now we could get anywhere in Rome semi-quickly because although they have a metro it's only 2 lines and it's not very frequent. I guess we were spoiled with the great transportation in Paris and Barcelona. I already miss baguette's and paella! We caught a metro and headed to the colosseum. We stopped for some lunch just across the street and it had a great view.

After a short line and once inside it was pretty breath taking. After all the movies and photos you see it still doesn't represent the true size and history this place has. We did a few quick laps around both levels and took some photos.

Robot took this photo of us.

After the colosseum we went to The Forum and Palatino Hill right next door. The Forum was an area that was uncovered after being completely buried by the Tiber River and it constantly flooding the surrounding area. Here are some shots from The Forum and Palatino Hill.

More free city water

Robot took this photo of us too

Here's Elaina about to fall right as I take a picture. Her teeth were fine!

I already forgot the name of this place but it totally copied Ceasar's Palace in Vegas! HAHA!!!

Here we are at the Piazza Della Repubblica. It was a nice day.

Then we walked over to The Quattro Fontane, what a freaking rip off! On our map it was marked as a point of interest but when we got there it was just four dirty fountains on the street corner that barely spout any water. At least it wasn't out of the way, we were heading towards the Spanish Steps anyways.

Almost to the Spanish Steps and we stopped at Fontana Del Tritone in the Palazzo Barberini. A real fountain in the center of the palazzo with people and water.

Moving on, we finally arrived at The Spanish Steps. We've been hearing lots of hype about things in Rome and well the steps didn't disappoint. They're just steps. They were funded by a Frenchman and designed by an Italian architect to connect the lower street to the church on the above street. So what do you get when you combine French money with Italian Architecture? You got it, Spanish Steps. You got me on that one! There are lots of people hanging around though, we just sat and poeple watched for a while over some gelato.

Next on our list was the Fontana De Trevi, on our way we saw this momument with the Virgin Mary. If you look closely at the second pohoto there are flowers placed at her feet. How do they get up there?!

Here's the Trevi Fountain, now THIS is a fountain! It's huge, filled with clean clear water, and tons of people. It's said that before and after battle the roman soldiers would drink from the fountain and throw a coin in to please the gods.

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