Roma! Roma! Roma!

*from April 6
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I am in Rome, and it is AWESOME! This is seriously SO surreal!

I was able to get some sleep on the train--I wasn't always comfortable, but it was decent. I "woke up" around 8am. The train was running about 14 minutes late, but a little before 9:30am, I was at the Roma Termini station! :) I went inside the station & attempted to find the information booth. I texted some family & friends to let them know I arrived safely in Rome.

After much pacing trying to find the booth, I got to it. Along the way, I heard quite a bit of Filipino. I got a map and directions as to what metro line to take to get to Trevi Fountain, and then bought a day pass for the metro (4 euro). I got off the metro at the Piazza Di Spagna stop, walked out, and saw Rome. I stopped by a little shop & bought a prosciutto & cheese panini. I was eating a panini while walking in Rome in search of Trevi Fountain...awesome. :)

After wandering & asking a couple times for directions, I found it. Woah. It is sweet. I took a couple pictures and then went to find the Bishops' Office for United States Visitors to the Vatican. There, I received my tickets for the Easter Sunday Mass & was able to get 3 extra tickets. I met a sister who studied in my home state. She recommended being at the Vatican at 7am and to get as close to the barricade as possible. While I was at there, I was able to go to confession. I was so happy and still in unbelief that I am here! Before I left, I got directions to the bed & breakfast that we were going to be staying at.

I passed by Trevi Fountain again, and then got on the metro to Ottaviano-S. Pietro. From there, I walked to the bed & breakfast, paid for our room, and then got settled in. I talked to my dad & mom :) I wish my family was here to experience this with me!

I asked the b & b owner if there was an extra room available (because 3 other people were coming)--luckily there was! So he got their room ready, and separated the beds in the room I was staying in. Now, I'm going to try to find some pizza for a late lunch before the guys get here. I am SO thankful to be here right now! :)

I went to a little pizza place not too far from the b & b, where I came across a language barrier again, but it wasn't too bad. I got mushroom pizza for "take away," and passed by a store to get some mineral water. I went back to the b & b to wait for the guys. I wanted to go exploring, so I texted them to ask what time they'd be getting there. They said that they'd be there in about 40 minutes, so I decided to go out and see the Vatican. Seeing the stone wall
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*from April 8
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(continuing from Friday--I was tired when I was journaling! haha)

for the first time was awesome!

I followed the wall and found my way to one of the entrances of St. Peter's Square. I walked in, and oh my goodness, it was beautiful. Seeing the Vatican made me really happy to be in Rome, especially for Easter weekend. I took pictures and then went near the entrance where rosaries and such were being sold.

While I was looking, I got a call from one of the guys saying that they made it to the b & b. I paid for my stuff, and then walked back--it's only a 15 minute walk!--and met up with the guys outside. We all went inside to chill for a while and so they could get settled in. We then went out to dinner at Trattoria La Toscanella. I tried the tomato & cheese bruschetta and ordered eggplant pizza.

After dinner, we headed toward the Vatican to get gelato at a place that I saw earlier--Old Bridge Gelateria. For only 1.50 euro, I got a small--which was 3 scoops!--Nutella, strawberry, and chocolate chip...delicious!

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR