Guest Blog! Pastas, Piazzas, and Popes

Bon Journo from Rome!  We arrived safely Sunday morning to Albergo San Pietro (located across the street from Malia’s apartment) and our awesome tour guide and hostess, Malia, has  had us hopping ever since!(She knows Rome so well and gets around via buses and metro with such ease….its great: she leads and we follow!!!)  In a short 48 hours, we have experienced so much! (admittedly, we also have not slept much in the past 48 hours...Malia has us moving at a very fast pace without letting us experience the siesta observance here in Rome!)  Today we enjoyed an incredible tour of the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel, as well as a long, fascinating tour of the Vatican grounds including Saint Peter’s Basilica.  We also climbed to the very top of the dome(as high as a 46 story building) to see incredible views of the key-shaped Vatican City!  The Coliseum was amazing, and of course, Malia showed us a good time at the Spanish steps and the famous streets of high fashion shopping.   One of the highlights of our trip thus far has been turning the latches of obscure, unassuming doors that open to  magnificent churches and cathedrals with so much beauty and spiritual significance regarding the beginnings of Christianity.  It is so much fun “church hopping”!! And the food…… where do I begin?  Just imagine risotto with mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts blended to perfection or white mushroom lasagna with chestnuts, or fettuccine with olive oil, garlic and “funghi”…..magnifico!  Or how about ultra thin crusted pizza “salmone” or yummier yet, “zuppa minestrone”…The food is so fresh and delicious, and I am so happy that I packed my cute “stretch” pants!  Tonight we are going to explore Piazza Novana,  home of the Trevi Fountain and classic, cobblestone streets lined with quaint restaurants and locals enjoying conversation and family time.  The weather has been rainy but it has not deterred us from experiencing this wonderful city.  We are all prepared with our raincoats and umbrellas, and we are hoping for clear skies tomorrow.  Tomorrow we are going to attend a Papal Mass at the Vatican and do a “Scavi” Tour which is the exploration of Saint Peter’s tomb located underneath the Church.   No time to waste…..Tomorrow evening we are taking the train  to Cinque  Terre to enjoy Italy from a coastline perspective!  After two days here, we venture  off to Pisa, then Florence, and finally Venice.  I may not be able to write until Monday so I will be sure to mentally jot down all of the great memories to share with you upon my return!  Oh yes , my Italian class has really paid off as I  communicate pretty well here in Rome! My favorite words that come out of my mouth with ease(which makes me feel like I really am Italian) are “excuzzi,” “gratzie,” “prego,” “dove toilette,”  and of course “delizioso”!  Just now Malia joined us in our hotel room , her arms filled with a wonderful little appetizer of cheese and crackers to nibble on before our evening in Rome; it is this time in Rome when the streets come alive! Arrivedeci for now!