There is so Much Fricken Stuff to See!

Oh, baby a double post day! Well, I gotta make up for missing a day.

So today was pretty fricken amazing. The awesome-ness began when we ate at a restaurant that served homemade gnocchi, which were tender, but not mushy so probably some of the best gnocchi I've ever had. We went to the Trevi Fountain, which was a LOT cooler than I thought it would be. I mean friggin carved marble statues and columns that were huge and rushing water. I think that's what made it. The sound of the rushing water with the grandeur of the marble structure made it so grand and almost mystical. I had previously received proper instruction as to how to toss a coin into the fountain so I guess I did it right, which means I'm going to be back some time (mom...can I have like 5000 Euros?)

From the Trevi, we made our way down to the Pantheon, which again, BLEW MY MIND. It such an amazing building on the inside. I couldn't imagine how grand it must have been back then when it was first built to have so much open space in a building made out of concrete and marble. Also the light shining in through the top of the dome was so beautiful it was like the light of God shining into the edifice. I also snapped some pics of Rafael's tomb. To think that a ninja turtle was entombed here is just so nuts (I'm joking; Don't worry!)

The last stop on the trip was made just because I looked on the map and said, "That looks pretty big, let's go there." I was saying this about the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, which turned out to be a lot cooler than I thought (just look at the pictures, man, and those don't even do it justice.) So, fine I don't know anything about Vittorio Emanuele II aside that he was the first king of a united Italy (thanks Wikipedia!) so I guess he was a pretty important guy (maybe...) We walked about halfway up the monument, taking extra care not to offent the guards carrying the assault rifles and guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier. Now the view halfway up was spectacular, but taking the elevator up the very top was definitely worth the 8 euro. I cold see ALL of Rome. I'm not kidding (again check out the pics.) It was the coolest thing. I could see the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, the Forum, a bunch of stuff I've never even heard of, everything! It was probably the highlight of the trip so far. I felt like the king of Italy standing on top of that monument, which was probably the effect they were going for.

So today was great! I'm excited for the rest of the trip when I can do little stuff, like explore some of the Piazzas. I still also have to visit the Coliseum and the Forum and Saint Angelo's Castle.

Also I'm taking a weekend trip to Capri where I want to see those coves and rocks (and maybe lay out on the beach a little bit.)