November 11th, 2003: Rome

And now my world gets even bigger as we head to none other than ROME, ITALY. Still pinching myself! As before, original journal in text with comments italicized below:
(click photos to view)

Tues, 11/11/03

• Metro train to Verona
• Eurostar to Rome
  
  
  Ready to board Eurostar
  
  
• In Rome, took wrong turn getting off underground metro (like subway)
• Allen (Dad) called USO & we found our way after meandering thru city
  The USO was such an incredible resource for us during our visit. Those people are saints.
  
• Mom & I were annoyed and felt ridiculous but no one noticed (too many tourists)
  We were clueless but grateful not to be the only ones. You can't look "lost" in a sea of tourists.
  
• At hotel - unloaded (I grabbed swch & snacks)
  
  
  Standing on hotel steps - swanky!
  
  
• Walked back to main plaza, people watched & window shopped
• Bus to Piazza Venecia
• Next bus - Colosseum & Forum
• Dinner at "Al Gladiatore" in front of Colosseum (Rocco entertained us!)
  
  Italian wine at Al Gladiatore
  
  
  Rocco, my new Italian host friend
  
  
  Posing w/Italian waitress
  
  
• Walked around side of Colosseum & by Forum
  
  
  Colosseum in darkness
  
  
• Metro back to main plaza
• Returned to hotel & called hubs before crashing for the night

Coming up: Pope John Paul II and St. Peter's Basilica - a definite doozy.