ITALY, Rome the "Eternal City" and Florence the city full of culture

We arrived in port on wednesday to Italy! I went on a semester at sea sponsored trip so we loaded the busses and were off to Rome! We got to Rome and went to see the Coloseum and the Roman Foreum. It was amazing to see pictures and hear stories of these places are thousands of years old and so amazing to actually be able to experience them in person. It was amazing and I could not believe that I was there. There is so much history in Rome and beautiful building in Rome that are thousand of years old, you start walking around the city, you turn the corner and bam- there is another amazing building full of ancient history. We decided that it get to a crazy point where you just try and remember if the building is B.C. or A.D. We had some free time for lunch and then walked around the city. The girls and I magically ended up right by the Trevi fountain that was beautiful! It then started to pour and "When in Rome" you walk back in the rain! We went to dinner and then took a walking tour around the city. I have to say that I fell in love with Rome at night. It is so beautiful and something about it is magical. During the day it is very loud and so many people everywhere. At night atleast where we were it seemed to slow down atleast a little. We got to go to the Trevi fountain and through coins in the fountain.. one coin, you come back to Rome, two you get married, three you get divorced, four you kill your mother-in-law and so it continues... this is what I was told anyway... I was very careful in picking how many coins to threw in the fountain.. Which you hold the coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder.

The next day we went to the Vatican City! It was amazing and I could have spent all day there. We were able to see so much and I learned a lot too! We had lunch and left for Florence! We got here, went to the hotel and had some free time before dinner. Dinner was great we had a 4 or more course meal! Today we got up and went on a tour of the city and went to two museums and a church. We got to see the famous David marble sculpture. I think my favorite quote from the day is that he made stone come to life, and I am gaining a whole new appreciation on art! I love it. We had some free time and walked around the city and did a little shopping and errands. I was able to call home very briefly and it was so wondeful to hear familiar voices. Hopefully I will get more of the family next time!! So much to do and not enough time to do it in!! We just had dinner and another cute Italian place and tomorrrow we head to Naples to meet the ship and have til Sunday there! I am glad to be in Italy for a little bit longer. There is so much to do in Italy and not enough time to do it in. This has been an amazing country and trying to put it i words is so hard and does not come close. I have already decided that I would love to come back! I hope everyone has a wondeful 4th of July!!