ROMA! (Page 2)

The first thing we did was get food! It took a while though, because Mike (my best friend from Connecticut) wanted to walk to Piazza Navona to eat. That took 40 minutes. Piazza Navona is a lively place with open-air cafes, street vendors and artists looking for work. I was surprised that most restaurants there stopped serving at 11p.m. That seemed a little early, especially for a Saturday night in Roma.

This was my first time to Rome in seven years. It’s always been one of my favorite cities, but unfortunately it has changed a bit. It is still architecturally beautiful, but it is definitely losing its appeal (at least for me). One big reason is because, walking around the streets at night, I didn't feel like I was in Italy. I thought I was in China. I am a big fan of the Chinese -- without them, my life would be lacking pasta, fireworks, pirated DVDs and Kung Pao chicken -- but to see Chinese people in Rome selling "Made in China" products really got to me. Who wants to have his name written in Chinese letters in Italy?

On the way back from dinner we walked the ancient streets.

Then we checked out one of my favorite spots: Fontana di Trevi (the Trevi Fountain).

It's the world's most famous fountain. Legend says if you throw a coin in the water, you are sure to return to Rome. If you throw a second coin in you will find your true love, while a third coin means you will find your true love in Roma. Of course, if you throw your whole pocket full of change in (like me), that means you are a dumb ass.

The next morning I woke up at 5:50. Instead of trying to fall back to sleep I woke up Mike, and suggested we go to the Vatican to beat the crowds.

We took a €10 taxi there, and had practically the whole place to ourselves.

We arrived just as the sun was rising. The place was magical. BTW: Did you know the Vatican is located in Vatican City, and is its own country? In fact, it's the world's smallest country (0.2 square miles).

Mass didn't start until 7 a.m. (the doors opened around 6:40). There was a special mass at 8 for Filipinos, who came from around the world for some special organization they were apart of.

Don't wear shorts or sleeveless shirts. If you do, you won’t get in.