Day 3: July 18th - Rome

Day 3: July 18, 2010
Time: 5:19am (Rome time)
So as you know it's just after 5 in the morning here in Rome, and my sisters and I are having trouble sleeping. I, personally woke up at midnight, 3am, 4am and now 5am. It's boiling here and super humid at the same time. We need to wake up at 7:30, but I am getting up at 7 to shower. Adjusting to a new time difference is hard, but important to staying healthy and feeling good. I better try to sleep some more! Check back later! xxxm
Time: 12:15am
Whar a day! I showered and ate breakfast that consisted of peanut butter toast and chocolate cereal at 7:30am. By the time we left the house, it was about 9:00. We took the bus and then the metro. On the metro i saw these 3 Italian boys, tanned, ray ban glasses...HOT!! They kept staring (probably because we are a family of blondes). After arriving, we walked to the Trevi Fountain. It was beautiful! All intricate and made of stone. Each statue had a story behind it and we got to read about it in the guide book. As always, I took many pictures...how could I not? I mean it's Rome!!! It was boiling in the sun, and we kept drinking our water and juice, even though it could never really cool you down.
We walked through all the side streets to the Spanish Steps. There are so many steps that walking up to take pictures is tiring. The bells on the church started to ring, so we went around the corner and went into the church. For a parish church, it was big and beautiful. The ceilingnhad domes, and echoed the Priest's voice. All the wall and ceiling designs were coated with gold leafing. I couldn't imagine going to a place like that each week for mass!
Across from the Spanish Steps was my favorite place - the shopping triangle!!! :) It had it all: Dior, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Lois Vuitton, Stuart Weitzman, Blumarine, Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Hermès, Bvlgari, Burberry, Bally, Guess, and Dolce & Gabanna. I almost died and went to heaven! We went in a couple of the stores, looked closely at some Jimmy Choos, and wished we were millionaires.
Us kids were getting pretty tired and hungry around mid-day, so we looked for a place to eat lunch. We looked at a few but it costs more money to eat in than take out. We made our way back towards the Metro, and stopped at a busy café. We sat upstairs imprint of the window, with air conditioning, and a view of the plaza. We ordered food and I ate the most amazing sandwich- panini of my life. It was ham and cheese. We went back home for a nap (Siesta).
We got up at 4:30 and left the house son after that. We made our way to the Vatican City - where all the cardinals and the Pope live. It's pretty much its own city. The sweedish guards were wearing funny blue and gold outfits and it was really cool to see. Inside St. Peter's Church - the most beautiful church in the world. There were many stone figures, monuments, amd a ginormous altar. We walked around, and loved it.
We kept walking and went passed the. Astel Anfelo. A museum at a castle - pretty cool! We walked over the River Tiber and went for dinner at this outdoor restaurant. Our waiter was really funny, and he joked around a lot. We loved the mist fan there.
We passed by thenPiatza Navonna and saw many buskers and sketchers. It was a great scene for some pictures and video. We ate gelato in the square beside the large fountain. I shared a 3-scoop ice-cream with Rochele. We walked by the Pantheon - a Nice building, but it was unfortunatlely half scaffolding.
Finally we went back to the Trevi Fountain at dusk to see the atmosphere. We pushed through the crowd of people to throw our coins in and make a wish. That fountain is famous, and must watch over it at night.
We were all extremely tiresd, so we decided to go home then and not miss the last bus. We were right at the stop, but for some reason the bus didnt stop. Dad had to yell, "hey!" to get him to slow down. Now I am lying in bed in Home sweet home away from home. Talk to you tomorrow! xxxm