Harry Vaderchie

Day Three in Rome was a relaxing one. After the large amount of money we'd spent the day before (Vatican tour and Italian dinner), we all wanted to play it cheap. We got up just whenever we woke up....no hurry, no alarm. Then went to the bus station.

This ad was in the bus station. Some how it is an advertisement for clothes.


We wanted to try and climb the Vatican basilica since we were too late the day before. After busing it all the way over to the Vatican, we walk out onto the plaza to find a sea of people.

Uhhh duh! It was 12:08...and it was Sunday! The pope comes out at noon on Sunday to say a prayer or something. We knew this. But totally forgot. So, we JUST missed the pope and made it JUST in time to dive head first into the current of people leaving the Vatican. We assumed the line to get through Vatican security would be too long, and Lillie and I didn't have a ton of time left in Rome. So no basilica climb for us. My tired legs were slightly relieved that they did not have to climb the 500 stairs.



We went to this castle next. Castel di Sant Angelo.



Better view of it from our first night here


It was perfect for today. Not too bad of a climb up. Still got a pretty view. And it took the Roma Pass, which we needed to use our second museum pass to get our full money's worth.



My team


Lillie is so fun to take pictures of.


She is most likely laughing at the dumb American girls we had just overheard talking. I feel like I heard way more dumb Americans (really only girls) in Rome than anywhere else I've been...I heard'em in the hostel, in the streets, in our room...everywhere. You think I am being a snob? Well...maybe. I mean, I am not saying that people who overhear me and my friends talking wouldn't think the same thing. Ok, well, I am kind of saying that. We may say dumb stuff, but I really don't think we sound like THESE girls did. This is what I am telling myself. And I'd like to point out that I gave pretty good evidence as to why I called our hostel roommates dumb. So this time, we are walking around the castle and we hear this:

Dumb Girl 1: "What are those?"...(refer to picture below)
Dumb Girl 2: "I don't know. I think they are like bombs, you know...that you throw."
Dumb Girl 1: "ohhhh."
I rest my case


Part of me wanted to follow them around the rest of the castle to see what other entertaining quotes they might spit out of their mouths. But instead we just took more pictures of ourselves.





Lord Voldemort statue


Ok, so if I was going to get killed by a street guy in Rome, it was gonna be this grim reaper man.
He just stood there, no walking around...but if you tried to take his picture he would slowly raise his hand and block his face. Cause he wants your money.
A challenge?
Mission accepted.



Mission accomplished.
Except after I took the picture...he knew it. And he stared. I was further away than this picture seems...thank the Lord...because he did not stop staring at me. For at least 2 minutes. You aren't impressed?


How about a closer look. His face was scary scary and those creeeepy eyes burned right through my picture thieving soul.



One last soldier for the road.
Roman Soldier #11 Slightly Effeminate Soldier



Here we have another souvenir I would've bought. The problem with this one would've been how many friends I would've wanted to give it to. Definitely would give one to the Davids Selby and Marshes.



With just a wee bit of time left in Rome, we went to the Spanish steps. Kelly was the one who knew of them. But besides the name, none of us knew why we should see them. And we still don't.

There's really not much to know. They are steps...and I am guessing they are Spanish. But mostly, they were littered with tourists. And not worth a 2 euro cab ride. We got out of the taxi, stared up at the steps, took a photo, then left. If you've seen steps, then you too can say you've seen the Spanish steps.


Quick, cheap, delicious pizza and then it was time for Lillie and me to head back to the hostel to get our stuff, catch a bus, and fly back to Valencia.

All I can say is that it is a good thing I am not studying abroad in Italy... I would certainly be 500 pounds of pasta, pizza, and gelato when I left.


Thanks Italy!