So now you've read about the beginnings of mine and Jade's weekend in Rome, now it is time to wrap things up! Starting with day 3....
Day 3 (July 6th):
Day 3 started quite early- around 7 as we both have problems lying in. This coupled with the thought of getting out into Rome for our last full day of jam packed exploration meant we were pretty ready to get started, Having said this, when I got up out of bed, the first thing that hit me was the pain and discomfort in my feet and legs- we did walk A LOT yesterday and now I was thinking about quick fixes for foot pain, swelling, blisters and chaffing. I even Googled this sat on the bed while Jade was showering.
Handy tip! If you're chaffing a lot, use anti-antiperspirant in the problem area before going out and it will help considerably! The idea being that the less you sweat in that area.....ok I'm probably grossing you out now but seriously- try it, it works!
After we had both showered and got everything sorted- after a day of wearing make-up and sweating it all off the day before, we stuck to au-naturel look for today and just slap on sun cream like it was going out of fashion to cover every nook and cranny. (This decision, coupled with my lack of sun cream coverage would later land me in a very embarrassing state as the day went on but more to come on that one later) With our bags packed, my feet bandaged to within an inch of their lives and our bodies plastered in sun cream, it was time to welcome in our second (and last) full day out in Roma and boy were we going to make this one count!
Our first port of call was the metro. We were heading back to the mighty Colosseum today and we were going for the full guided tour of the Colosseum followed by the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. As we had got there early and pre-paid for the full tour, we got the privilege of zipping straight past the normal queue and into the 'skip the line' queue. Yes you did read that right- there was still a queue for 'skip the line' but compared to the other line, we were going to get in at least before the Roman sun burnt us poor pasty Brits to ashes- even with factor 50 it was flipping hot. Although I mention the irony of the queuing it was only, as our tour guide explained, because of the security that everyone had to pass through. Even us cocky skip the liners weren't immune from the monotony of security!
Our tour guide was brilliant; giving us a low down of the Colosseum's extensive ancient history. Turns out, it wasn't even called the Colosseum when it was first built in the 11th Century. It was built as a gladiator stadium if you like and has stood the tests of time and still remains today. It was amazing being able to go into the Colosseum and see for myself where Romans and animals alike would have fought to their deaths amongst shouting and screaming crowds centuries ago- many of who would have bet on the fights and would be backing their champion. The houses and flats around the Colosseum would now go for no less than a million euros a pop but way back in the day, emperors would occupy that area and well...I guess just look down upon their ever -obeying (and as it happened, ever-sacrificing) subjects. Many a photo was taken here and it was as I walked further around this vast monument I really started to notice the foot pain emerging again and this time it was bad! I was mortified as this was only the first part of a very busy day for the both of us and I really didn't want to spend it waddling in pain. Me and Jade made many amusing observations about the inside circle of the Colosseum with Jade joking it looked like Ashford town centre! I guess looking at it now, you have to really imagine, or squint really hard, to picture what it would've actually looked like back then with all the fights being in full swing but it was a fantastic sight nonetheless.
I carried on the tour despite this and tried to distract from the pain by looking at the sights around me and telling myself that while my feet would heal, I wouldn't see this sight again- not at least for another while yet so I sucked it up and carried on.
After we finished our tour of the Colosseum, we had some time left to wait before heading off to the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum and we used this time wisely!.......By getting some street-seller water, grabbing some food and plonking ourselves into the most minute spot of shade outside the Colosseum for a rest bite from the foot pain (we were both feeling this now) and the scorching sun.
Our tour of Palatine Hill and The Roman Forum begin at 1pm and we started by making our ascent up the Palatine Hill. Me and Jade had driven past this hill and the Forum the day before so it was great to finally see it in front of us. The ascent was a very long and hot one- it was the hottest part of the day so I had to stop a few times to fan myself a little before continuing my climb. When we finally got to the top, the views were amazing! We could see across the whole of Rome out into the distance. The guide talked to us about the history of Palatine Hill. This was one of the seven hills of Rome and it was here where Romulus founded the original city of Rome and that there would be chariot races up here with thousands of fans watching. It is in fact this hill where we get our world 'Palace' from.....Palatine....Palace..! As we walked further and further around the Palatine Hill, the heat started to feel more and more intense, almost at the same pace as the views. One part of the tour took us out to a panoramic view of the city and it was amazing!
However, along with the foot pain, I was about to be given some mortifying news....
Now before this point, another couple on the tour had asked be twice if I had sun cream whilst grinning and it had baffled me...until now. What is it? I hear you cry. Well news was I had been getting very badly burnt on my face. And when I say burnt, I mean bright red....only on my face. Now I bring you back to earlier that morning when I thought I had smothered my body in sun cream. Crushing news was I had missed a bit- quite a significant bit actually. How I managed to forget my whole face? Well as my face didn't get burnt the previous day, I forgot about it, not remembering that the reason I had escaped burning was due to the SPF protection of the foundation I had then worn- the same foundation that I had skipped this morning.
I then rushed to slap some sun cream on my face before getting back to the tour feeling slightly embarrassed! Roman ruins and empiric stories then dotted the rest of our route down from the Hill into the Forum and the Forum was more of the same. Seeing a birds eye view of these ruins was kind of like a 3D join the dots game where you can begin to paint the picture yourself of an ancient Rome.
After a 3 hour tour of Roman ruins in the heat of the day meant me and Jade were burnt (well that was more me), tired and thirsty. We sat down opposite the Colosseum again to discuss what we were going to visit next and after mulling over dozens of options, we decided to go to the Vatican first then find the Spanish Steps and maybe later finish our holiday eating dinner in the park watching Roman life go by........oh and maybe get some wine too- we had a lot to do!
THE VATICAN
To get started we went over and waited for the big red bus again as we figured that would be the easiest and most direct way to get to the Vatican, besides we then get to see Rome all over again. as we got round to the Vatican, we decided as it was near dinner time, to stop for dinner at a restaurant nearby then make for the Vatican all fed and watered. We picked one of the restaurants that were lining the street up to the Vatican and went in again for the pasta. After an hour's sit down, it was time to get over to the Vatican- the moment we had been excitedly anticipating since we landed. As we queued up it quickly became apparent that I'd made another mistake....I'd forgot a scarf to cover my shoulders!! I was mortified at the thought of getting all this way and not getting in- after all I wasn't that exposed, it was only the tops of my shoulders but still I was turned away. Jade was all set so I told her to go in and take lots of pics while I waited for her outside. She quickly came back though saying she couldn't go in leaving me outside having not witnessed it for myself so we went to find a street seller hoping they had a scarf I could buy- after all they sold near enough everything else!
As if someone had heard me from above (quite fitting being right near the Vatican- it was as if Jesus himself had given us his blessing to enter the Pope's house) a woman stood behind me said she could help me- she was selling scarves! Hallelujah I thought, getting out and waving a 5 euro note in front of her before I had even clapped eyes on the scarf itself and before you know it I was the proud....well turned out slightly awkward owner of a purple "I love Roma" scarf- the most touristy scarf I could've bought and once I had got past the same security guards that had earlier refused me entry, flashing my scarf and swaggering on past, I couldn't help but think the Pope would have been proud (I even made that joke at the time).
Once all the security was done, there was an option to go up to the top of the dome at the Vatican all for the additional price of 7 euros. While we knew this was blatant ploy for more of tourists' money, we thought this would be a priceless opportunity to be at the top of the most religious building in Italy. In the queue for the lift to get to the top, we met a wonderful family from Southampton who, like us, were struggling a bit with the heat and using makeshift fans to soften the blow, were desperate for their 1000th bottle of water of the day and in awe of the place they were in. We quickly got chatty with them, joking around, bantering about the weather comparisons to Blighty, how nice Southampton is (me and Jade both went to Portsmouth University) and how uncanny it was to meet people from an area we knew whilst in this bustling city. For me there was something comforting about bumping into them maybe it was the reminder of home....
When we got to the top there were signs and warnings about the humidity being that far up, and the tight spaces. But that was to come later, for now it was time to go a kind of look out platform that looked down over the inside of the Vatican itself. So yes; me and Jade (and a few others) were, for ten minutes at least Gods watching down over the bunch of Italians and tourists below. It was an amazing sight to behold; scriptures written in gold bordered the inside of the dome and religious paintings and gold leaf adorned the dome itself- probably to signify the heavens above (or something like that I imagine). There was a barrier of black fencing enclosing us from the perilous drop below.
For me, finally being in the Vatican was an amazing feeling but I couldn't help but feel a bit of a fraud- like a vegetarian visiting a very prestigious sausage factory. I'm not religious (if you couldn't already tell) so I felt I needed to quickly think Catholic thoughts to save myself from eternal damnation whereas Jade is more into that than me so she got more into the spirit of things. After seeing the view from the top of the dome, there was an opportunity to go up further and see the outside of the dome- the very top of the Vatican! However as the stairs were very narrow and it looked claustrophobic, I passed on that while Jade went up and had a peek. Some of the family we had met outside also went to the top of the dome. I stayed back to have another look down on the rest of the Vatican onto what I was to see later.
After about 30 minutes, the Southampton family came down and told me about their experience at the top; it was an amazing view but their little niece had started to have a panic attack at the top from where it was so claustrophobic and who was her knight in shining armour? Well it was Jade of course! And they said if they didn't bump into her before that I should pass on their thanks to her because she was great with her and helped calm her down. I felt like a proud mum, for all the time I've known Jade she's always put others first and helped others out where she could, one of her best qualities. Jade wasn't too far behind luckily so they could all thank her, and I could have a sneak peek at her pictures hehe!
After this there was some free time outside on the bottom part of the dome so we sat and looked at our pictures and sipped water with Vatican City as our backdrop. It was lovely sitting up here because it was here we felt our first gust of (relatively cool) wind for the whole time we had been there. It took us by surprise though and we had to quickly get to saving our maxi dresses and dignity from being compromised but other than that it was quite nice.
My feet were absolutely filthy from walking up the dusty Palatine Hill, both of our dresses were dusty and dirty from sitting on some rocks for rest stops and my face was still red raw from earlier.... this was the perfect time to go inside the Vatican!
When we first stepped inside, it was incredible- a lot like the church we had stumbled on the previous day but times a thousand! With this amazement building up inside me, trust me to be the first one to blaspheme! "Oh my God" I muttered under my breath as we both walked in. I immediately cursed myself again for blaspheming in the Vatican of all places, then apologised again for cursing. And so the cycle went on- I'm not good in churches. Walking around you could see the vastness of the building and the architecture was amazing- paintings of religious figures, portraits and sculptures of the Lord himself dressed the entire building and marble beams twisted with gold stood high in the centre. At the far end was the most illustrious sculpted craft of all. It was placed high on the wall and it appeared to be a gold/yellow coloured window with spikes of gold coming out from it with sculptures of religious figures coming from it. It was the most artistically complex thing I had ever seen before or since. Walking on through the building I was hit suddenly with the silence of the place- it was the quietest place we'd been in so far and it made me think, churches are one of only a few places in the world nowadays where silence just happens- as if it's a silent law. Try it next time you're in a library surrounded by complete silence- would you get that same assumption of silence anywhere else? People were walking around in wonderment and I have to admit I was stunned to silence a few times too.
Me and Jade then came to a statue where everyone was getting their photo's taken whilst rubbing the statue's foot. I had no idea what or why this was happening- maybe it was a good luck thing like the fountain? Anyway we lined up for that then went to sit down and take the weight off our feet. Not for any religious reason, just because our feet were hurting. I think that sums us up really..."Excuse me Jesus, but can we have a seat to sit down and rest from our aching feet? Ahh hallelujah!" After some time attempting to whisper to eachother our next plans and getting shushed for the millionth time by the guard, we decided we'd had enough religion for one day and headed off.
No but honestly, the Vatican is an amazing place to visit. Religious or not, just the architecture alone is worth a visit and besides, it's something to boast to your friends when you get back!- A little trip advisor fluff for you there.
THE SPANISH STEPS
By the time we had finished in the Vatican (about 7pm) we realised we were way too late to visit the Sistine Chapel or the other Vatican museums which was a shame but by then we were hungry again so made plans to get the metro to the nearest park then lounge around with some dinner. However, this plan quickly changed when the epiphany came that we hadn't even seen the Spanish Steps yet. So we got off at 'Spagna' station and tried for the second time to try and find these steps so we walked about 5 minutes from the station and low and behold......WE FOUND THEM! The whole area was packed with people shopping, perched on the steps watching the world go by, getting horse and cart rides around the city, it was all hustle and bustle everywhere.
Me and Jade somehow found a space on the steps and sat down to admire the busy view. It was at this point at about 8/9pm knowing that this was our last night that we got all reflective and feely. We reminisced on our time here with gleeful sighs and celebrated the fact that despite some hilarious language barrier issues, some minor money troubles, getting burnt to a crisp and suffering with some seriously painful feet, we had conquered a lot whilst staying here and we wouldn't have done anything differently (well....except wear trainers instead of strappy sandals) And we discovered that other than the heat, we had fallen a little for this ancient city. We were then noticing how there were flats right above Dior and we both wondered how much it must cost and what it must be like living above one of the most expensive designers in the world right opposite one of Rome's busiest shopping areas and tourist attractions. Oh how the other half live we joked, sipping on our one-euro-a-pop bottle of water. A little while here, we wondered how much it would be for a horse and cart tour but after enquiring about the price, we decided to go and look for that park and some dinner instead.......right after a visit to Sephora for Jade. There aren't many stores in the UK so it was more of a strike while the iron's hot type of moment really.
DINNER AND HOTEL TIME
So in true Henderson/Bundy style, our plans changed again and the park was soon a thought of the past and by now our feet were really giving us aggro so we thought we'd just find the nearest nice looking restaurant and go there for our dinner. What we found though ended up being one of the nicest restaurants we had come across in our whole time there. The owner of the restaurant was lovely and made sure we were all settled and enjoying our food. He even made sure my pizza had no cheese on too which for me was great because I know how awkward that request can be. I can't remember for the life of me the name of the restaurant now but I know it was on Via Veneto! It was quite traditional in it's food and baking- it had a huge pizza oven! And there was free bread! (which was a Italian restaurant tradition that me and Jade absolutely loved as we love bread way too much!) We decided to order pizza and we got plenty of drinks in too to quench our thirst. The evenings in Rome didn't let up in regards to the heat, while it did get a little cooler, the humidity left over from the day still remained. Our pizza's came while we were talking about our trip and the reality of going back to home life which was only one sleep away and we couldn't believe how fast it had all gone. After we had paid the bill, had some banter and even a selfie with the owner, we waddled back out on our tired feet for the journey home. We got to the end of the road and decided that our feet probably wouldn't make the full journey themselves so we got a taxi. But before this we walked through a couple of city streets and restaurants with music playing and we admired this city's chilled al fresco lifestyle. Even on this cab journey, we could still admire some of the sights for the last time.
We arrive at our hotel for the last time and decide to pack quickly now to save time tomorrow as we wanted to do something before our late flight home. It's normally easy to pack for going home as the travel bottles you take there can be thrown away which means more can be painfully stuffed to breaking point into that 100ml bag. Tired and mostly packed for the return home the next day, we hit the hay with our alarms set.
HOME DAY
We were up and packing by 8am and still trying to figure out that bastard 100ml bag. This should be a qualification because there are some elements of maths, science and a whole load of skill involved there. Maths to figure out the shapes and what shapes would easily fit together- almost like tetris, science because you need to figure out which bottle is likely to potentially burst if pressurised and what chemicals can and can't go together, and skill just for being able to fit the most in without a) ripping the bag, and b) being able to completely shut the bag too. Once this task was done and our bags were packed, it was time to check out and head back out with our bags in toe. Our plan was to grab a long lunch al fresco then find the coach which would take us back to Ciampino for 4pm. We knew this was likely to be at Termini as every bus in Rome seemed to go past or stop there so all we needed was a restaurant near there and Bob would be our uncle.....so to speak.
So carrying luggage in 40 degree heat for 20 minutes uphill is no easy task and I admit I did throw a wobbly. Mainly because I couldn't breathe for the humidity, but also because my body just ached all over by this point. Nevertheless, I moaned a lot and Jade bore the brunt of that so I'll say now again, Jade I am sorry for moaning and thanks for putting up with me. We got to the metro eventually and it was going to be a little simpler from then on. Whilst on the metro we were asked by a couple of Italians whether we were sisters which we found amusing; 1) because we look nothing alike and 2) because we're always either together or on the phone to each other anyway so we could probably put up a mighty good bid for an adoption there.
Back out on the street again and the hunt for a restaurant started. Although the one we settled on wasn't too far from Termini station, it still involved an uphill walk which was a little tough but when we got there it was worth it as we had a lovely 2 hour lunch break ahead until we had to get to the coach. It was here we had our next problem, how to get home from the airport! I was going to go back and stay at Jade's but her lift home had fallen through so now we had 2 hours to find ourselves a lift or it'll be the train home for us. Jade immediately got to texting everyone she knew who could drive, and I took to Facebook. However, the time came to go to the coach stop and we wouldn't then have WiFi again until we got back to the UK so it was looking like the train was going to be our only option.
Once we'd had lunch, we had to rush for the coach as it took ages to pay- we were even on the brink of doing a runner! If they don't want my euro's then tough, see ya later!! We did pay though, don't panic, we have morals. We finally got to the coach stop after being lead round half the station by people who claimed to know where it was. This meant we had just missed one (it literally left as we got there) but thankfully there was another that would get us to the airport on time. Now it was a waiting game....a waiting game that, as it got nearer the time, meant thinking strategically about where to stand to be first in line and not let anyone push in front.
There's always something mildly 'Hunger Games' about getting on public transport- the sly knowing cutting glances, the quickening shuffles to try and gain the first place in line, the possessiveness, the aggression, the bag shoving and even people using their luggage as weapons. We saw and felt all of this first hand once the coach parked up. People immediately piled up behind us and were practically on top of us while we were getting on. But once we were on we could sit back and relax and watch everyone else freak out and get possessive over a seat on the coach. From now on as far as we were concerned, we had made it and that's all that mattered.
As we set off, we took our last photos and videos of Rome to savour for when we get back to our normal lives at home. Having said that, we were both kind of glad to be going home- going away is lovely but there's something nice about being able to go back to your comfort zone of home. Rain and a chilled breeze was going to be greatly received as well- something to relieve our burnt skin really...
The airport was relatively easy to handle, although at this point we had no money so no snacks or shit mags for the plane home this time. I also decided while waiting to board that I would go straight home due to the costs to get there and back home again. Also this time I wasn't going to be sat with Jade on the plane so I was all alone with my iPod for the flight home.
BACK IN THE UK
Fast forward two hours and we were back in Blighty! Well almost....we needed permission to land which meant circling Stansted's airspace for about 20 minutes and occasionally dropping as if the pilot was teasing us. After some circling we eventually landed! By this point it was 830 and after going through the UK border control, which was now electronic by the way, we made straight for the National Express ticket booth and the news wasn't good, every coach we wanted wasn't due until 10pm! so it really was only the train that could save us here! After looking at the board I turned to Jade and simply said "RUN!" We had 15 minutes to get to the train on the lower level, buy our tickets and get on the damn thing before it left. I'd be heading for London Liverpool Street and she would need to leave me at Tottenham Hale. We made it thank god and we were armed with snacks (we only had pounds left to our name and as this was England....) As Tottenham Hale got closer, it really was sinking in, our lovely little break away was really over and I was going to be without my 'sister' again. Jade's stop soon came and it was time for goodbye's....time to get home and to my cosy bed.
No work now for a few days thank god and mum didn't know I was coming straight home- a pretence I had managed to keep up after giving her the obligatory "I'm back in England safe" phone call. She asked me straight when I was coming home and I confidently pulled my best poker face right there. I was focused now on just getting home and resting my feet and legs for the next day or so.......I looked out the train window as it was whizzing through the countryside straight towards London and saw the sunset and smiled. What a bloody lovely few days I had just had.....
So there it is, my holiday to Rome summed up the best way I could muster. Sorry if it seemed so long, there was so much to write about and I probably still missed some out- Jade this is your time to shine!! But overall, Rome was amazing; the food, the people, the sights, the hospitality and accommodation for tourists who couldn't speak more than a few Italian sketchy phrases was nothing short of fantastic. The guide books can try and help you but I say the best, and only way, to truly see a country is to plonk yourself there right in the thick of it. Sink or swim they say, and I'd say confidently that me and Jade swam and we swam well all things considered! I had the best person there beside me as well. Jade pushed me when I didn't think I could carry on that one block further in my shoes, inspired me to try new things like guiness, put up with my protests and above all, made me laugh. For our next trip? Well we were stood waiting in the queue for our plane for Rome and there was a plane for Krakow boarding next to us......funny that as that is where we want to travel to next!!
So if you want some advice on whether to bite the bullet and go on that spontaneous trip? GO! GO NOW! Go on, book those tickets....right now, open up that new tab and get looking, it's the best decision you'll make, and it's a relatively cheap one too! Wowcher is great for weekend deals so get booking, go on!
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