DAY 5

ONE ADVENTURE AFTER ANOTHER...

We dropped off our bags at Termini (a metro stop in Roma), which ended up being a two hour adventure. Finally we got back to Ottaviano and walked to the Vatican. We went inside St. Peters' Basilica which was simply amazing. The entire time I just kept thinking, "dad and mom would love this." We went to the sisteen chapel and I simply couldn't beleive I was really seeing all of this in person. I got to see my all time favorite painting in person (the creation of Adam). We also went to the Roman Forum where I told Wendy, "This is the type of thing you only see in book." I can't believe I am in Rome. So far all my experiences with Italian men have been nothing but good. There was the security guard who asked me if I wanted to play with my soccer ball inside the vatican museum "you want to play now?" or the security guard who wanted to be in Wendy's pitcture. Or the charmer in the gift shop who just wanted people to laugh at him. We have also had a lot of funny experiences -- Wendy falling down the stairs, me putting my bag down on gum, putting my leg up against gum on a bench, and stepping on gum... all within five minutes. We also spent some time speaking in accents today. Wendy had a very sophisticated french accent and I had a southern white trash accent. They fit well together. But our goal for the day was to make people smile--and we did (although it was usually because they were laughing at us). We ate our first meal at a resutaunt! mmmm.... Italy. My life is now complete. We are also spending another night in the airport. This time we will both sleep at the same time and just guard our bags. We fly to Venice in the morning. Sleeping in the airport is not my favorite experience. I always wake up tired, cold, hungry, and dirty. Wendy and I took a picture of my dirty feet today so that we can show people just how gross backpacking through Europe is. Not knowing when you'll get to shower next and if you'll have a place to sleep. Although I would not trade this experience for the world, I am glad it is only for two week. I am realizing how incredibly blessed (and spoiled) I really am.