1st day of Roman Holiday

So we left for Rome on Thursday the 7th at 7 am from the villa. Our train left at 8 and we got to Rome at 9:45! First off we went to the Christian Catacombs of St. Sebastian which were really cool. I wish we could've been let loose in there to explore, but I understand why they don't because everyone would get lost and they wouldn't be able to find them. My favorite part were the mausoleums on the way out (yes I'm weird and like mausoleums...sorry). There were 3 of them and you could still see the urns with ashes (since these were pagan they weren't as concerned about moving the remains for their sake). 2 of them kept going deeper and you couldn't see the end. I soooo badly wanted to be a little kid again so I could get away with crawling under barriers and exploring ;). Then we went to Circus of Maxentius where they had chariot races and fights, etc. This sight isn't as popular, but it's way more intact than others similar so it was cool. Then we heard the legend of Romulus and Remus - the twin brothers that founded Rome. Then it was lunch time so we ate our sack lunches and then I gave my lesson at St. Paul Outside-the-Walls where historians think Paul's body is actually buried! It was really legit. Then we went to drop off stuff at the hotel which was so pretty - it's called Hotel Tiziana and is in a really good spot in Rome. It's used as a dorm for a college during the school year.

After we unloaded in our rooms we went to the Piazza Navona and learned about the 3 fountains that are there. This piazza has all the artisans in it selling their work :). Then we went to the Pantheon which I was kinda bummed about because it was originally a temple dedicated to all the Roman gods, but now it's a Catholic church so Mary and baby Jesus are everywhere :( but I'm grateful they did convert it because otherwise they would have destroyed it and I wouldn't be able to see it. So Robbie said to just imagine gods' images wherever you see anything Christian...Then we traveled to the Column of Marcus Aurelius and then the Trevi fountain (yes I did throw a coin in :D) and then we took Hailey out for dinner because she was the birthday girl :) We had an awesome waitress and we all had on tiaras...Such a long day but so fun!