The past two weeks have been midterms...which is no fun at all. But Andrew was here from AU for a couple days, so I got to take a break from studying to show him around Rome. On Tuesday we went to the Pantheon after my evening class...and he was amazed (or at least sounded like it). I've seen it so many times now, that I'm kinda like, "Oh, there's the Pantheon....moving right along..." So it was nifty to see someone get all excited about it like I did the first time I saw it. On Wednesday we saw the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, and Capitline Hill in four hours. It was blazing hot, and there were tourists everywhere; we even met some Texans, but they were Aggies fans, so we don't like them.
I had already been to the Forum a bazillion times for class, but since I had a midterm today on ancient Rome, getting to tell Andrew what everything was made a good study session. I had also been to the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum for class a couple weeks ago, but it is totally worth it to go back. I think the Colosseum looks huge on the outside but once you get in, it's smaller than you would expect. Very cool anyway, though. Makes me want to watch Gladiator. The Palatine Hill takes the same ticket as the Colosseum, and in my humble opinion, it's even better than the Colosseum. There's practically no grass or any gardens in most of Rome, but the Palatine is full of orange trees and gardens, etc etc. It was the site of the Imperial Palace back in the day. Plus on one side there's the best view of the Forum and Colosseum, and on the other side is a great view of the Circus Maximus and Aventine Hill. I really can't even describe the full awesomeness of the Palatine Hill, but if you're ever in Rome, don't miss it. If you want a preview, there will be some pictures up soon.
Oh, and I almost forgot about the amazing dinner last night. A bunch of us went to this little hole in the wall place right by our apartment called Il Piccolo Grande. It's where you go if you want the real Italian experience. They don't have any menus in English, and the guy who owns it doesn't speak much English, so it's a fun experience. And we met more Texans there, some teachers from a Jesuit school in Houston who wanted to know where to get smashed...lovely.
Anyway, that's about it. Tomorrow is Joe's birthday, so we're going to Hard Rock to celebrate. After that, it's off to Amsterdam for Vanessa and me, and then we're meeting up with Joe and Candace in the south of France on Monday. I'm so stoked. I've waited ten years to go to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank House.
Oh yeah, and happy Ides of March. I should have worn a toga today.
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