The Ancient City, Rome (English Post)
“I thought I knew everything when I came to Rome,
but I soon found I had everything to learn.” – Edmonia Lewis
The first day
Hi welcome back, I am back with my Autumn holiday story after Paris. And it is an ancient romantic city in Rome. After visiting Paris, I went straight to Rome with Flight. I took a night flight from Beauvais, France to Rome Ciampino. I arrived at Rome Ciampino at 11 P.M. Because all the buses were not available at that time. So I decided to stay in the Airport and wait for the Bus in the morning to go to the Rome city center. The weather was really cold that day because it was Autumn. I went to the coffee center, decided to buy a cup of Cappuccino and Croissant. The seller called me Senorita because she thought that I was Spanish and can speak Spanish. Actually I was not.
It was okay at the first hour, but around 2:00 AM in the morning the Security approached us and said that the Airport would be closed and we could not stay inside. I decided to walk outside. And it was too cold. And I did not bring my thick jacket, I just wore my Spring jacket. Actually this was my fault because I did search enough about these things beforehand on the Internet. It was my first time traveling by myself. So yeah, that was okay hehehehhe. Finally, the Airport was open at 5.00 AM. I went inside and bought my second cup of Coffee while waiting for the Bus ticketing to open at 6.00 AM.
After the Bus ticketing was open, I queued to buy the ticket. Wait for 30 minutes for the bus to arrive. Finally my bus that would take me into Rome has arrived. I went straight to find my chair. It took approximately 40 minutes to go to the Rome City center. I was so excited that day. I arrived at Rome City Center, in Rome Termini (Rome Central Station) and I texted the Hostel to ask the exact location. Luckily the Hostel was not far away from Rome Termini. It took 600 m away. I have arrived at the Hostel. It’s actually a 7th floor apartment. And the Hostel itself is on the 3rd floor.
I grabbed breakfast and cleaned myself before going for a walk to begin my tour in Rome. The first place I really want to Visit is the Colosseum of course. In the afternoon, I took a walk straight to the Colosseum. I queued in the ticketing booth. It was 12 Euro for one entry ticket to the 3 places. Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. The ticket is available for 2 days.
It was a wonderful feeling when I took my steps in the Colosseum. Magical, ancient, and breathtaking. There were 2 floors that you could explore inside the Colosseum. I think because the 3rd floor may be too old and fragile to accommodate plenty of tourists. The Colosseum was actually the scene of thousands of hand-to-hand combats between gladiators, of contests between men and animals, and of many combats, including mock naval engagements. However, it is uncertain whether the arena was the site of the martyrdom of early Christians.
It was a hot day in Rome that day even though it was Autumn. After plenty of time exploring the Colosseum, I went to explore the Colosseum from outside. There were Arch de Triumph in Rome. Then, I decided to walk into the next destination. Roman Forum and Palatine Hills.
Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. For centuries the Forum was the center of day-to-day life in Rome : the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city’s great men.
The last place I visited was Palatine Hills. The last place I visited was Palatine Hills, the Palatine Hills is the one of the original 7 hills of Rome. It;s also where Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BCE, by Romulus and Remus. When you visit the Palatine Hill, you can see the enormity of the emperors’ palaces. In fact, the word “palace” comes from the word “Palatine.” I see the sunset from the Palatine Hills before going back to my Hostel and grab a Pizza for my dinner that day.
The Second day
I spent my second day in Rome to visit Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Monument of Vittorio Emmanuel II. I came late for breakfast in my second day because I was so exhausted for my first day in Rome. I had bread and a cup of coffee to begin my long day. I planned to use a metro this way but finally I decided to go by walking. The first place I visited was Pantheon.
Pantheon is a former Roman temple and now is a Catholic Church. When I was there, there was a Musician who played the Guitar in front of the Church. I did not enter the Church because it is not appropriate on that day and seems like the Church was not open to the public.
Not far away from the Pantheon, there was a Gelato shop that very crowded with a lot of customers queuing. I took my self to join them hahahaha. I choose a Tiramisu and …..for my 1 cone of Gelato in Italy. It was good but nothing special about it.
After finished my Gelato, I walk for 300 meters away to find my next destination. Fontana di Trevi , one of the famous water fountain in the worlds. Fontana di Trevi marks the terminal points of the modern Acqua Vergine - Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. One of the famous mythology when you visit this Fontain is you should throw a coin (1-2 euro) and one day you will be able to come in here again. I did not do that, because one we meant to be, I will be there again someday. I believe in that.
Spanish step is actually one of my bucket list, but suddenly i decided not to go there because it little far from Fontana di Trevi. So I went straight to the Monument Vittorio Emmanuele II and stay there to spending my afternoon while having my snacks.The remaining time, I decided to find a restaurant. Then I found one Restaurant that offered me a Lasagna with an affordable price for 1 lasagna, fries and Cola in Europe. But it turned out the Lasagna I ate was not my cup a tea. I can make a better Lasagna than them hahahhaha.
Monumen Vittorio Emmanuele II
In the end of the day, I went again to Colosseum just to wondering and see a sunset in Colosseum. I just can believe that I lived one of my dream when I was Kid. Thanks to Allah SWT for this unforgettable blessing.
The Last day
Actually, I planned this day to visit wheter Florence, Napoli or Venice but it was not possible for me to have a short visit to the other city far from Rome in one day. Then I ended up join my American friends who stay in the same Hostel with me to visit Vatican City with metro. Vatican city is the smallest city in the World. The first place I visit is St. Peter’s Basilica, is a church built in the Renaissance style located in Vatican City, the papal enclave that is within the city of Rome, Italy.
St. Peter’s Basilica
After sight seeing and take several pictures in the St. Peter’s Basilica, we went straight around 300 m to Castle Sant’Angelo. There were a lot of people crowded around the Castle. Its also a famous bridge, Sant’Angelo Bridge. You can St. Peter’s Basilica from this bridge. After enjoying our morning sun here, we headed to the restaurant nearby. An Italian Restaurant called Amalfi. We ordered Pizza and Pasta with a cup of Cappucino. The food was good, not great but ok.
In the afternoon we decided to go back to the Rome city center to take a walk for awhile before going back to our Hostel to pack our stuffs and checking out. After checkout from our Hostel, we headed to the Airport by a Bus. It took approximately 60 minutes from the city center to the Leonardo Da Vinci Airport or Rome Fiumicino Airport and the ticket price was 5 Euro. Because our flight is scheduled next day in the morning at 5:00 AM. We stayed in the airport. My two American friends will fly to LA, and one will fly to Finland before fly to California. While me, I will fly to Barcelona first become flying back to Amsterdam. See you on my next trip. Hope to see you again.
Amalfi’s Restaurant
Tips for solo trip in Rome ;
Be aware while you are using the public transportation, because there were many thiefs in the Metro or Tram.
Always make sure that you put your bag in front of you and never let the zipper open.
Do not carry a lot of cash.
If you are Muslim just like me, please always pay attention and willing to ask more before you buy a foods. The Pasta my contains a wine, or the Tiramissu also contains a liquor.
Italian Pizza and Lasagna are just so so hahahaha
Make sure to remember where you stay, because there were so many building that are similar.
Comments
Post a Comment