Day 2: When in Rome......

We'll, for those at home, let me first start with an apology and explanation for the lack of Blog posts. We have had little, to no wifi access up to this point. It was on and off or really slow in Rome, didn't work in the Florence hotel (only in the city center) and obviously we had none on the night train from Florence to Paris. We finally have some reliable internet here in Paris so hopefully the posts will be more regular. (No guarantees) Let's catch up as quickly as we can. The trip has been a whirlwind with loads of excitement and lots of unexpecteds. Day to in Rome began with a trip to the Vatican Museums where we took a guided tour (the Guide was a young, very fun and knowledgeable Italian women that spoiled us, as we would later find out that other guides were not so good) of all the various art, sculptures, tapestries etc. of the Vatican. It was a lot to see but was magnificent. After the museum, we all had the fortune of going into the Sistine Chapel where most of us for the first time were able to see Michelangelo's famous and absolutely stunning frescoe ceiling. After 15 minutes in the chapel and myself and Alison being scolded for trying to sneak a few pictures (Yanelli got away with it) we then went into St. Peter's Basilica and were awestruck by its magnitude and brilliance. There we were able to see the Pieta and the tombs of some very powerful Popes such as Julius II. After a quick lunch and a refreshing Gellato, we daringly took the Metro underground to see the Capuchin Crypt. The metro in Rome is an experience in and of itself and while struggling to get off, the natives called us stupid Americans. (We were) we then proceeded to find the Crypt. We wandered the streets of Rome for a while and found what we thought was the crypt (it wasn't) and sat down inside this quaint charming church where some locals and tourists were enjoying a respit from the sweltering heat and swarming business of the streets of Rome. Bo, sat down inside the confession booth and played the role of priest while Kyle knelt beside and paid penance for his sins. It was a memorable scene of fantastic impropriety. After getting some directions from some old English bloaks, we journeyed on to the real crypt where we saw the bones of hundreds of Capuchin priests laid out in fanciful, decorative display. It was all a bit morbid yet cool. We journeyed through the streets of Rome on our way to meet the other groups for dinner, bought some paintings along the way, saw a homeless lady pee in the street and watched humorously as Eric bought 3 watches from his "friend" in the Piazza Navana. We had pizza dinner all together and afterwards strolled once more around Rome and saw the Area Sacra where supposedly Julious Caesar was assassinated. This concluded our adventure filled day in Rome and we returned to our Hotel a warn out but we'll pleased group of travelers.

We Made It!!!!!

Well, we made it to Italy today. After a 3am rendezvous from Logan, we flew from Salt Lake to JFK Airport in New York City, where did our best to pass the time during our 5 hour layover. (Alison helped by showing us some nifty stretches such as the "Sassy Cow") We arrived in Rome exhausted after an 8 hour flight. After we met our Tour Director, Elisa Ferrato, we took a bus to Rome where we took a walking tour. The temperature was close to ninety degrees and very humid. Nevertheless, despite our fatigue and the hot sun, we ventured on. We visited the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain (which was bone dry as it's under restoration, big disappointment), the Pantheon (where Raphael and Victor Emanuel ii are buried), and we finished the walk at the Piazza Navana. Of course we all enjoyed the cool sweetness of a Gellato along the way. We concluded our evening by journeying to our hotel the Miralago which sits above the Lake Albano where the Pope has a papal residence called Castel Gandalfo. It's a truly stunning scene. We rested for a bit and then enjoyed a full hardy Italian Lasagna dinner. (Bo cleaned the plates by eating everyone's leftovers and he also hit on our waiter) After a long day we all went to bed in need of rest to start a new day. So far, the tour has been a fantastic experience and all are having a great time. Tomorrow holds much in store as we will go to the Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica and much more.