Roamin' Around Rome by AllieZ

Rome is a crazy, noisy city bulging with ancient ruins and tourists. We started the day by taking a bus that took us to a train, that took us to different train, which took us to yet another train. Then, we walked out of the train station and BOOM, there we were at the Coliseum.



The Coliseum is a huge, stone, circular building that Romans would go to, to watch gladiators fight to the death like we go to a football game. As you stand in the center of it, and if you have a good imagination, the tourists become Romans in togas and the buzz of the people becomes the chatter of anxious fans betting on different gladiators. When we stepped into it, we stepped back 2000 years.



After that, we headed towards the Fountain of Trevi. On the way, we were bombarded by people trying to sell us scarves, umbrellas, and carrots. When we finally found it, we managed to squeeze our way through the crowd and get a closer look. The fountain depicts Posieden, god of the ocean, and his horses. Then, turning our back on it, we threw three coins over our shoulders. This ritual is supposed to make sure we come back to Rome. I hope it works.

After a bite to eat and a cup of gelato, we made our way to Vatican city. This is the center of the Catholic Church and is where the pope lives. We came mostly to see St. Peters Bascillica, which was designed by Michelangelo. This was my favorite part of the day.


We went inside and decided to climb to the cupola. After 230 steps, we were inside, at the base of the dome. I think we came at the best time. Mass was going on so the whole church was filled with the echoing sound of singing.

We continued up to the very top. This was interesting. If we were claustrophobic or afraid of heights we couldn't have made it. We went up 321 tight, dizzying steps. Since we went up through the walls of the dome, the walls got more and more slanted as we went up.


It all payed off though. At the top, we were treated to a beautiful panoramic view of Rome.


After going all the way down, we found ourselves in the actual church. Every single inch of the walls were covered in art: cherubs, angels, saints and different geometric patterns. My favorites were a mosaic copy of The Transfiguration by Raphael and one of Michelangelo's pietas.


Before we left, we had dinner. A big spaghetti meal was the perfect way to cap off this really long day.