London meets Florence

Hello all,

So as you all know, this past weekend I took the train to Rome to meet up with Justin who is studying abroad in london right now. Well, I was little nervous to take the train by myself..and even more nervous because Billy (my friend in Rome) said that all transportation was on strike the day I was getting there, and I would not be able to take buses. Luckily, the train ride wasn't bad, (besides it being sweltering hot...the price I pay for being a tight-wad and getting the crappiest train) and Billy met me at the station. WE then went back to his apartment to wait for Justin to get in from the airport.

Friday night, we just hung out and went to bed early so that we could have a full day in Rome.

Saturday, Justin and I got an early start and headed over to the Vatican. We bought a ticket that included the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel and the Basicilia. It was really nice, but I actually wish I would have had more time there and a better tour guide. Ours was a girl in college, and was most definitely inappropriate. She also was not the most informed tour guide ever, and rushed us through all the museums. We literally were only in the Sistine Chapel for 4 minutes and then were herded out. Something amazing though, was that I got to see the grave of Pope John Paul the II, though I would have liked to spend a bit more time there. Hopefully in November, I will be able to spend more time there. I also got to pray in the chapel in the Basicilia. I just prayed a decade of the rosary...but it was so amazing to be in there.

We then headed out to eat lunch and do a little shopping (more Christmas presents people!!!). We got the best gelato from the gelato place that caitlin and I went to last time we were in Rome. So yummy. I got Nicciola (hazelnut), fragola (strawberry), and arancia (orange). As Rachel Ray would say, YUM-O.

So then we headed to the Coliseum...this time we went on the guided tour, which was really interesting. We were exhausted and went to Billy's. The boys cooked us a yummy Italian meal, and that night we decided to go out and take night pictures. We went to the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

Needless to say, we were exhausted. On sunday, we took the train back to Flo-town (as we fondly refer to it)...and then the studying for mid-terms began.

I had my first exam today, which I think i aced..and have the last four this week.

Tonight, I made a big American meal..with a hint of Italian influence....chicken wrapped in panchetta, corn, carrots and beans sauteed, french bread, and garlic mashed potatoes complete with homemade chocolate chip cookies that leah and I made from scratch. So yummy. SO my friend Michael (the one originally from Africa) came over for dinner. So we had a nice big dinner, and all got to know eachother even better.

Tomorrow=more exams...so I should get a good night's sleep before them. On Thursday I will be heading to Pisa for the morning and then flying out ot London for the week. So I will be back on Tuesday!

Talk to you all soon!

Love

Amy