Roma Day 1

We got up extremely early and caught a 5am train from Monterosso to connect to La Spezia. Our "layover" in La Spezia was about 2 hours long before our connection to Rome. We had a lot of time to kill on the platform so in addition to blogging, we attempted sleeping (nowhere clean to lie down), listened to books, read books, and had impromptu dance parties. Aaron, who was only coming to Italy for 3 whole days was supposed to be arriving on a direct flight from DC around 830 and we had planned to arrive on the train around the same time. In La Spezia, we received an email from Aaron who stated that his plane was late - not just by 30 minutes, but by 5-6 hours. His plane had a mechanical problem and so they had to find an entirely different plane to Rome. So unfortunate that his already short trip was cut even shorter. Also, totally unfortunate we got up super early to meet Aaron and he wasn't there.

We arrived in Rome around 9 or 10. We were able to check into one of our hotel rooms and hang out for a little while and drop off our stuff. We ate pizza for lunch and then our next goal was to get to the National Museum. We ended up at a different version of the National Museum which Mom and I thought would be interesting, but the boys vetoed it so we went to find the original one. This museum had a lot ancient artifacts and archaelogical items. Specifically, I remember statues and mosaics.

My favorite picture of the day: Mom sore from the Cinque Terre hike

I was getting eager for Aaron to arrive and we didn't want to miss him getting off the train (Let's just say I'm the one in our relationship with the good sense of direction) and even though he'd been given instructions to get to the hotel, I was worried he'd get confused, especially since his plane had been delayed and he wasn't sure what "the plan" was. So after looking at that museum, we headed over the the train station where we waited for Aaron. We knew exactly which platform he would arrive on, but had to wait until he actually arrived on a train. We spread out each time a train arrived and looked for him. No luck, but finally, when the third train arrived (about an hour later) he was on it! We took him back to the hotel. We rested for awhile and then it was time to pick up Talyn at the train from the airport as well. We ended up waiting for her just like Aaron but luckily she arrived after 2 trains instead of 3.

We dropped her stuff at the hotel and then we needed to get out and see Rome! We consulted Rick Steves and ended up at an enoteca for dinner. An Enoteco is essentially a wine bar. Since we are all teatotalers, we were not well-received, but the food was delicious! Spaghetti Carbonara is to Rome like Pesto is to the Cinque Terre. I ordered the carbonara and it was fantastic. We all really enjoyed our food. From there, we walked to the Spanish Steps. John Keats died in the house next door to the Spanish Steps, which from I could gather, is all that makes them notably famous. From there we wandered down to the Piazza Del Popolo where the Italy vs Germany in the Eurocup was on the big screen! It was so fun to be there and see everyone waving Italy flags and cheering. Italy won so we left soon after to avoid the ruckus (ie flares, stampeding, etc). This was the semi-final so it meant that Italy was headed to the final vs Spain in a few days. Big deal. From there, we went to see the Trevi Fountain, which despite all the people, was lit up and beautiful at night. Aaron also had his first taste of gelato here and was instantly hooked.

At the Enoteca

Italy Wins!

The Trevi Fountain

Whilst in Rome, Colby, Talyn, Aaron, and I had to share a room. My parents offered to get a third room, but it meant that Talyn and I had to share rather than Aaron and I because the wedding wasn't until August. So we decided we might as well just bunk up together. Our room had three twin beds and Talyn had packed Colby's sleeping pad so he could sleep on the floor. However, we discovered that could just push all three twin beds together and make a super-bed. Aaron and I slept in the middle within Talyn next to me on my end and Colby next to Aaron on the other end. Not exactly BYU approved, but it worked. It wasn't the most comfortable because when it came down to it, Aaron and I basically ended up squishing together on the middle twin most of the time while Colby and Talyn had their own beds. We slept alright anyway.