Tuesday, December 2, 2014

I Do As the Romans // Rome, Part I


Hey! Quick note. A lot of you mentioned in the comments how cool/unusual it is to just be like, "Hey, let's go to Rome next month, lolz!". I wanted to quickly address that! It's true, one of the blessings of living in Europe is that it's easy and often very inexpensive to travel to other places within Europe. I know that it is not like that for everyone, and that traveling overseas can be hundreds (if not thousands) of euro and months of planning for those in different continents. It's a darned shame! I hope that all you lovely people across the oceans get to come over here someday and check out this cool continent. And meanwhile, I hope you enjoy getting a little taste of it through my photographs and stories.
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When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Apparently that means eating lots of pizza and gelato, and walking around a lot.


 When Heather found tickets to Rome on sale and asked us if we'd like to go, I was obviously pretty excited. I started pinning stuff to our "Roman Holiday" pinterest board faster than you could say Pizzeria.

 We (mom, sister, myself) were there for three days - not counting the first day, in which we arrived at night and just went straight to the hotel. The first proper day was pretty great. So Imma tell you 'bout it.



How To Spend Your First Day in Rome
I mean, this is how I spent my first day, and it was pretty cool, so...

1. Don't get a good night's sleep. All night long you will hear the clang clang clang of trolleys (why do they run all night?) (also, isn't that from a song in Meet Me in St. Louis?), and the rumbling of trucks collecting the rubbish. This is an important part of your Roman experience. Embrace it.

2. Wake up and grumpily say "What is that noise?" The kid in the flat above you is attempting to learn O' Christmas Tree on the piano. He or she isn't very good at it yet. Also, someone down on the street is shouting "BELLISSIMO!" really loudly. This is your Roman wake-up call.


3. Get Coffee. Worried that the people working at the cafe might not know English? Well, they probably do, but even if they don't, just remember: the words 'Cappuccino' and 'Croissant' are universal. Use that to your advantage.

4. Walk to the Colosseum. Once there, absorb some history. Say "Wow, this place is huge" and take many photos.


5. Next, visit the Roman Forum. It's right next to the Colosseum, can't miss it. Look at all the broken pieces of ancient buildings and think about how cool they are.

6. Keep walking. Walk all over that city.


8. Try out some Italian. Hint: Just add "iano" to the end of words, and it sounds pretty Italian. Italiano.

9. Take a look at some awesome place called "Altare della Patria". Try to take some photos, but trust me: it's so big, it probably won't fit in the pic.


11. Take a bus tour! Make sure you sit on the top deck. Even though it's getting a tad bit chilly outside.

12. Visit a couple of Cathedrals. They are honestly all over the place. Obviously. Note how seriously huge and intimidatingly fancy they are. Don't make eye contact with the priests in the confession boxes. #awkward

13. Have dinner. Pizza. Duh.



14. Go back to your hotel. Tip: Bring a BBC mini-series along in case you want something to watch before you go to sleep. I recommend bringing Our Mutual Friend. (Or as we fondly call it, Our Mutual Creeper. Cuz seriously.)

15. Get some sleep. Just a tip, during the day you might want to purchase some earplugs. Especially if you are from the middle of nowhere in Ireland where the only sound you're used to hearing at night is the occasional braying of a donkey and not some Italian child playing Christmas carols.


Follow these steps and you are guaranteed to have a lovely first day in Rome.


Til next time, folks ;)
Hannah

29 comments:

  1. This is uh-MAY-zing!! Seriously. I really want to move to Europe now. Maybe England. Or Ireland. Or Holland...

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    1. Oh yes, do. Move to Holland, because that place sounds exciting.

      Thanks for commenting! You are uh-may-zing.

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  2. Ohmygosh! Absolutely amazing photos. I have a habit of getting really excited and freaking out when I see gorgeous pictures of really gorgeous places. I really must see Italy, and practically every other place in Europe... EEK! I can't wait to see more pics of your trip. Is that Contantine's Arch? It looks very similar to the Arc de Triumph. (o: Seriously, I should just get a one way ticket to Europe and buy a bike when I get there. Ya know, just tour all over the place... Maybe in a few more years. XD
    ~Lizzy

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    1. Thanks, girl! Yes, that is Constantine's Arch! And I love that bike idea. Sounds perf.

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  3. These are lovely photos, Hannah!! It looks like you had perfect weather for walking around Rome too. :)

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    1. Thank you! The weather was *so* nice. Especially coming from freezing cold Ireland. :D

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  4. So amazing! :) Rome has never been at the top of my list of want-to-visit places (mostly because I'm so fascinated with England and green fields and stuff, ha), but it looks gorgeous. I can't imagine standing in a place full of so much history.

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    1. I'm with you - my heart will always be in the British Isles <3 And thanks, Kristin!

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  5. That sounds so lovely! Glad you had fun. :)
    -Ashley
    thriftytoppings.blogspot.com

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  6. Ahhhhhhhhhh <3 this looks soo crazy amazing!! So glad you had an amazing time! I'm craving pizza and gelato now.

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    1. Thank you, Kate! Uggghhh isn't Italian food the best?

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  7. This looks so cool and beautiful and you are HILARIOUS. Take me with you next time!! :p

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    1. Thank you so much Canadian Olivia! You can def come next time.

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  8. This post made me chuckle and want to go back!!

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  9. I've been studying italian for three years and dreaming of Italy even longer. This post was inspirational. Lovely photos and travel plans! I'm glad you had a great time.


    (I need to just move to Europe someday as soon as possible.)

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    1. Thanks, Sus! Wow, that is so cool that you've been learning Italian! It's a beautiful language. You really need to get on over there, then. :)

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  10. oh my GORGEOUSNESS! out of all of europe, Italy is pretty close to the top! so beautiful & great photos!

    jana from Jana's Faith

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    1. Thank you, Jana! It *is* such a beautiful place. At least what I saw of it :)

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  11. This is amazing and beautiful. You are so lucky. x) Heeeeh. Although, I just went to Sydney and *gulps* I know it's like nowhere near like Rome and I would LOVE to go to Rome....I just always feel very overwhelmed going touring. Still. Europe and me MUST meet someday. It's so so beautiful. (And your pictures are as gorgeous as always. xD)

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    1. Aw, thanks Cait!! Oh man, Sydney sounds like a super cool place. As does just all of Australia. So different from anywhere I've been :O

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  12. Woah!!! SO AWESOME! Lovely pictures, Hannah! =)

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  13. These snaps are GORGEOUS, dear. Absolutely stunning.

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  14. Hi! I found your blog through Leah Watson, and I love it! :) Makes me want to start blogging again.

    I love these pictures! Makes me want to go to Europe even more! I laughed when you said "Bring a BBC mini series." I just thought "How about Sherlock? That's basically a mini series... right?"
    Anyway, loved reading this post and seeing these photos. :)

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    1. I remember Leah telling me about you! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :D

      And UGH yes Sherlock would've been perfect to bring. Best show ever.

      Thanks again Felicity!!

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  15. Your blog is so pretty :)
    I went to Rome last september ! I'm so in love with Italy but I'll dream to visit Ireland one day !

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