Rome and Venice

After staying in Madrid for the first weekend since I got here, I couldn't resist the urge to travel once again. I went to Rome and Venice with 2 other girls in my program, Anna and Nora. Let me just start off by saying, BEST TRIP SO FAR! Super expensive, definitely went over what I budget for a week, but who cares? Its Rome and Venice! Luckily, my brother Brian also gave me some money so we're gonna say he paid for all the fun. Thanks Brian!

I visited Brian when he studied abroad in Italy 4 years ago, and he took Ashley and I to Rome, Florence, and Venice while we were there. I loved it, and have been itching to go back. In Rome, I ate gnocchi and had some wonderful house wine. We had pizza by the slice, and by the pie. We ate gelato like it was our job. I loved everything I ate there, and normally don't care that much about food. But in Italy, it was all so good! Plus, you know me, I'm the "bread queen" so I was quite happy being in Italy where they have great carbs all the time.

I think my favorite part about going back to Italy, was the familiarity of it. Brian had already given me a tour of St. Peter's, the Vatican, the Colosseum, the forum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. Already having an introduction, I didn't feel overwhelmed like last time, and was able to finally understand some things that Brian had explained years before. I finally picked up on St. Peter being buried in the basilica and that he was the first Pope. I understood the general layout of the Vatican and St. Peter's square. Before I was moreso blindly following Brian (or as we called him Tour Guide Barbie).

The only thing that threw me off was the Colosseum. For the first 20 minutes of our visit, I confused it with the Arena in Verona and I thought we could climb it and sit around and hang out, so I was a little disappointed when we couldn't do that this time. Also, much like last time, I actually was not impressed by the interior of the Colosseum. I know it was built in 72 AD, held 70,000 people, and was home to exciting 'life and death' shows, but it just never grabs my interest. The outside however, is beautiful. And at night? It's even better! Our last night in Rome, we went there and enjoyed a glass of wine (in plastic cups of course, and not really a glass, but a carton of wine lol) while sitting on some ruins and watching the Colosseum shine! Now that was enjoyable.

My favorite part of Italy, surprise surprise, isn't the Colosseum, but is the Trevi Fountain. I could sit there for hours and just watch it and people watch. And next time I go to Rome, that is exactly my plan. I love the story of the fountain (which can be found in my facebook picture captions) and I love the beauty of the white stone contrasted with the soft blue water. It's perfect.

After Rome, we took an overnight train to Venice to save on getting a hostel. Word of advice: DON'T DO THIS! The train is freezing, is not comfortable, and when you get into Venice at 5:30 am, you are homeless... Once you get over that, you realize, you're in Venice and its Carnevale! As if a fantastic weekend in Rome isn't enough, I now got to dress up in a mask all day and see gorgeous costumes (also on facebook) and drink champagne. Great day! The best part was when we were eating lunch on the canal, and a tourist actually interrupted our lunch to ask if he could get a picture of us! People are wearing luxurious gowns and wigs and masks, and here we are three American girls in masks, one also with a wig, but no costumes, and he wanted our picture. We were so flattered and excited. The only thing I could want more, is someone getting a picture of him getting a picture of us!

Venice was beautiful and so much fun, but I definitely want to squeeze in another trip this semester. Going during carnevale is 100% different than going normally. Carnevale is crowded, loud, crazy, and did I mention crowded? Normally, it is calm and peaceful. I have done both and loved both, but there is one thing I have been wanting to do for at least a year, that I couldn't do with the crowds. Therefore I want to go back. When I went to Venice 4 years ago, we went to St. Marcos square and fed the pigeons and I got a picture. While I love this picture and the moment, I don't look that great. No blow dryer makes for a bad hair day. I want to go back, completely enjoy the moment like I did those 4 years ago, and get a marvelous picture of my perfect moment. I am going to enjoy it, and I will probably buy some Venetian glass while I'm out there. (There wasn't time or space in my carry on this time).

Also, this weekend was UnOFficIal!!! For Friday, we had an honorary Harp Beer at an Irish Pub before hitting up the ice bar. While at the ice bar, some of my friends decided to dispose of their glasses (which were made of ice, as was everything else) by throwing them on the ground - when no one was nearby. We were chastised and asked if "we thought it was normal". We responded by saying that no part of being in a bar made of ice is normal, so we had no idea what is ok. He didn't appreciate that, but we all got a nice laugh.

While in Illinois, the holiday was 2 days earlier, I decided that my UnOFficIal was on Sunday! I wore green, bought a green carnevale mask, and we drank all day in the streets. That's UnOFficIal if you ask me. And it was wonderful! I'll just have to do it again when I go to Ireland. (And I'll be wearing the lovely UnOFficIal shirt that my Brian (Cerier this time) designed).

This trip was perfect. Rome fulfilled my beauty and educational fix. It had old ruins and wonderful people, and even an ice bar! And Venice had fun and crazy college entertainment. I couldn't be happier with a trip! It was magnificent! I will definitely be going back before June 20th, you can count on it.