Arrivederci

Today was my last day in Italia.  This morning we had breakfast at the rooftop restaurant, where we had a perfect view of St. Peter's Basilica.  After breakfast we started our day.  I have already seen a lot of Rome recently since I came a few weeks ago with Chelsey.  Today the plan was for me to do a few things with the family, and the rest of the day was for me to get my things together.

I walked with the family to the Spanish Steps.  It was a nice walk along the Tiber River.  After we crossed the river, we ended up walking through the major designers store shop section of town.  I love window shopping when I see Prada, Fendi, Max Mara, Ferragamo, Burberry, and so many more shops.  Whenever I see these stores, I start thinking of how I can imitate the fashion without spending a fortune.  Don't get me wrong.  There are definitely some things worth getting, but you got to buy within your spending limit.  After looking at all the shops, we came upon the Spanish Steps.  We climbed to the top, and we were able to see a nice view of St. Peter's Basilica and many streets of Rome.

Kathleen, Mom, and I at the Spanish Steps

Since I had seen a lot of Rome, I parted ways with my family after seeing the Spanish Steps.  They continued on to see the Piazza Popolo, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain and more.  They pretty much just walked all over Roma.  While they were walking all over Roma, I was repacking my bags.  My bags have grown tremendously, and I need them to be manageable if I don't have Charlie to carry them for me.  Charlie is probably so excited to see me go because then he doesn't have to worry about carrying my ridiculously heavy extra bag.  I also needed to repack my bags, so I can easily find the things I need when I get home.  When I get home, I have to pack a bag for the beach.  I am really excited to see the girls this weekend!  I will be leaving at 8am for Fiuminico International Airport, also known as Leonardo DaVinci International.  From there I will fly to Philadelphia, and then Philadelphia to Baltimore.  My aunt will be picking me up from Baltimore.  I will be going home with her, so I can catch up with her about my trip and get my car.

When the family returned from their tour of Roma this afternoon, we got ready to go to mass at St. Peter's Basilica.  In order to get into the Basilica, there are many rules.  You have to go through an x-ray machine.  Girls have to have their shoulders covered, and they have to be covered to their knees.  Men are supposed to wear pants, but they are able to get away with wearing long shorts.  After we waited in the long line to be x-rayed, we made it into the Basilica.  Mass had already started, but the guards let us through.  While mass is going on, tourists are still able to walk through the Basilica to take pictures.  Mass was very nice, however I was kind of shocked to watch people get up and leave in the middle of mass and not return.  After mass we walked around the Basilica, and we were able to see many of the little chapels, sculptures, and art work.

St. Peter's Basilica at dark

When we left the Basilica, we found a place to eat for dinner.  However, before we ate, we returned to the hotel.  We needed to drop off our cardigans and shawls, and Charlie needed to get out of his nice church clothes before he passed out from heat exhaustion.  It was pretty hot in Rome with the sun beating down on you.

We got dinner at a little trattoria around the corner from the hotel.  The food was pretty good.  We had a lovely conversation with a couple, who sat next to us, from Great Britain.  They were eating their second meal because they ordered a meal at another trattoria, and the food was just horrible.  After we had finished our meals, and the conversation of BBC movies, Harry Potter, and England had died down, we moved on.  Kathleen, mom, and I went to get gelato, while Charlie returned to the hotel.

My last day in Italy wasn't jammed packed with things to do.  It was pretty laid back.  I was able to do the thing touristy things I wanted to along with getting ready for my departure.  I must say that after traveling with the family for 2 weeks, I am definitely ready to get out of here.  Don't get me wrong, I love my family.  We had a wonderful time together these two weeks, but the time has come to get back into our normal routine.  I could either go back to live with the Boccaccini's, or I could head home to my home.  I guess you will all have to wait to find out which direction I head once I get to the airport.