Arrivederci Roma!

Sunday, August 8th

Well, today was our last day in Rome. It was our plan to go to St. Peter's Basilica and then to the Pantheon, do laundry, and head to the train station to catch an overnight train to Berchtesgaden, Germany.

When visiting St. Peter's, it is important to remember that you cannot wear shorts and you must have your shoulders covered. I was also told (as we were about to head out the door of our hotel) that you had to wear closed toe shoes...so I ran back to the room and put tennis shoes on...which I hate to wear! Anyway, we all leave dressed in pants, covered shoulders, and tennis shoes...and it just happens to be the hottest day we've experienced. Now, we aren't light weights...we live in one of the hottest areas of the United States...but, combine humidity with a huge, crowded city and add being completely overdressed...and you get my drift...we felt pretty gross.

St. Peter's was a short walk from our hotel, but by the time we arrive, my make-up has already melted off my face. There were possibly thousands of people there. We walk directly into the center of St. Peter's Square and look around and see that the line goes on in a never-ending circle. We all look at each other and say, 'No way!' and leave.

The Pantheon was pretty...we had a delicioso and cheap lunch...then we went to pick up our laundry...36 euros! We thought it was 4 euros a load, not 4 euros a kilogram. O'well, you live and learn...at least they folded it for us.

Off to the train station to catch our overnight train. I booked a triple cabin, but I think Mike and Matt were expecting something a little more.

As we sit on the train playing cards, we watch the Italian countryside speed past as we head to Germany. We had an amazing time in Rome...one reason is the B & B we stayed at. It's called A View of Rome and I would recommend it to everyone! The owners, Daniele and Santiago, go out of their way to make you feel at home. The view is incredible, breakfast to order, the room spacious and clean...the bathroom even had a bidet...which really came in handy at the end of a long day...when I needed to wash my feet.