Roma!

I've been in Rome for only one evening and I've already fallen totally in love with the city. After I'd arrived I showered and we ate, then Jim took me on a night time tour of the inner city. We walked into the centre of the city where Jim led me past an array of historical sites and tourist hot-spots.

We walked first to Saint Peter's Square, where the Pope comes out to talk every Sunday; we passed the Pantheon (which I intend to go inside later this weekend); the Trevi Fountain and many Piazzas featuring many impressive obelisks, the best of which being the Lateranense obelisk; that's just to name a few of the places we saw. Even with just this brief trip I could feel the history that the city seems to bleed from every pore. Jim told me time and again that this being February it was extremely quiet and empty, but even so it has such a vibrant feel. Every street and every square has history painted on its walls and culture bursting from the seams. Even the people seem exceptionally beautiful.

We stopped at a cafe which Jim informed me was famous for it's coffee, and I can see why - it was absolutely delicious. We talked about the history of the city and how it effected the politics and the attitudes of the people today.

Jim has kindly bought me a ticket that will get me around the city and last all weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to visit the ancient part of the city, the Forum, and I'll get to see it all in daylight this time. In the evening Jim and Donna have arranged for us to go and see an Italian folk musician they know, so I'll get to sample the traditional music of the country. In short: I just can't get enough of this city!

Until next time, ciao!