LOVE ROMA!

I took the first commuter train out to Naples the next morning and was in Rome by about 9am. I had two places booked because the hostel wasn't very clear on whether they had me confirmed or not..so I booked a room at a convent for backup! Yes..a convent! haha..I tell ya..these Italian men would send any gal into a convent! But my hostel worked out fine and so I ended up staying here at Casa Omaltas!! I swear these places do not believe in elevators!! I dropped off my stuff and explored Rome!! I LOVE Rome!! So much to see and places to go..on my first day here I went to the Colosseum...Roman Forum..Patheon...Trevi Fountain where I made all my wishes and the ones that some of u guys asked me to make..and the Spanish Steps..on my second day..I went to Vatican City. I went there early because this gal at the hostel said it was the best early so I took her advice. Got there at 730am or so and she was right!! Barely anyone was there..the sun was coming up..it was nice!! Mass was taking place inside St. Peters in english..so that was nice to see too. I am not a religious person but I also cant help but be moved by these services that I am seeing in these old churches. I climbed up the dome to see the view and see Michelagelos last work (the dome). Here's a funny story..this man was in front of me as were approaching the dome and he says to me..do u know where you're going? And i said..yeah up the dome...and he says no..but do u know what you're getting yourself into? And I asked what do u mean? And then he said..lots of steps..bet you didn't know that..then he chuckled and said..goodluck! And I am thinking..did he just?? Oh no he didn't! He was in no position (physically) to imply that the steps were going to b a challenge for me...if that was what he was doing..anyway..i ignored him...he went up the stairs..i took pics before heading up..I made my way up..past him =)...and got up there to a nice view of Rome! After Vatican City..I went to a part of Rome called Tresvatere.

It's considered to be the working class neighborhood of Rome..but what I cosidered to be the best part of Rome! It was colorful...lots of life..I loved it there!! I roamed around the rest of the night..oh I went back to the Trevi Fountain cause..I guess I did it wrong in making my wishes..I am suppose to have my back turned and throw the coin over my shoulder..(like I was suppose to know haha :)..and the hostel had a spaghetti party! Today I have no plan really...I think I am just going to roam but I do have to go to the train station to get my train ticket for the airport tomorrow AM!

So lets see..in three weeks Ive been to: Prague..Venice..Padua..Viceza..Verona..Cinque Terre..Pisa.. Lucca..Florence (best gelato at Tivolis)..Siena..Pompeii..Sorrento..Positano.. Amalfi.. Rome. I loved Prague and could have stayed in Positano forever on those pebbles on the beach..I met a lot of people these past weeks but the most inspiring one I think would be Karen who I met in Prague. She is backpacking the world on her own for 1 year!! She is from the UK..but I think after having gone through three weeks on my own..gee I think Id miss my family and friends too much to do it on my own for 1 year..my favorite thing to do was buying fruit at the fruit stands...and going to the meat markets to get a sandwich made for lunch or dinner..oh haha and now I know how pasta should be cooked!! Time to experiment...

I fell in love with Roma- go figure!

Well..that's it folks...I've had an amazing time here..I know.. I know..you're going to miss my adventurous..entertaining email updates..heck some of u have even asked me to stay longer so you can get my emails haha...but I would miss my family..friends and the city too much!! I miss the SF fog..yes..I am a city girl at heart! I even came in under my budget!! Lets see..one thing that I am glad I brought that I was almost going to not bring my A&F button down cotton shirt..comes in very handy =)...one thing I shouldn't have brought..hm..toilet paper..it only took up space..but you know mom =)...So..that's it from Yi's backpacking adventure in Prague and Italy..but no worries..I already have a route in mind for my next trip =). I'll see/talk to you guys when I get back..