IL PAPA SI DIMETTE!!!

OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS!!!! Earlier today, as I was sitting in my apartment, a mere 6.9 kilometers (that's about 4.2 miles to my Western readers), from the Vatican itself, I heard the big news. The Pope is resigning!!! My first thoughts, can you even do that? Second thoughts, OMG I'M IN ROME.
I have the opportunity to be a part of history! The Pope officially steps down on February 28th and reports are saying the cardinals will choose a new one by the middle of March. I'm going to have the opportunity to see the smoke signaling the decision and the new Pope emerging from the balcony. History in the making.
The funniest thing about all of this is that my mom TOTALLY predicted it. Kind of. Way back over winter break, when the idea of Allison in Rome was still not clicking in my head, my mom stopped and said this to me:
"What if they have to pick a new Pope when you're over there?"
My response, "That's awful!" (Obviously assuming she meant his death- which granted she did...)
"I don't know, you never know!"
Wow... you never know indeed.

I Monumenti

When you think of Rome, what's the first thing to pop into your head? The Colosseum? The Trevi Fountain? The Pantheon or the Spanish Steps? Something big & grand, right? That's what I had thought too. Truth is, Rome is a gigantic city and it's pretty spread out. Like I said before, I'm in the neighborhood Garbatella, which is about a 15-20 minute train ride to the center of the city. So when I first got to my apartment, I was a little disappointed. It wasn't the Rome I was expecting. Now, however, it feels like home getting off at the Garbatella metra stop. I wouldn't change it.
My first time exploring the center of the city, the picturesque "Rome" we all imagine, was incredible. I got a grand tour from my friend who has been here since September and saw a lot of great spots. I've been back to the center a couple of times and plan on going more (gotta love those monthly train tickets). This post is to tell about the well-known places I've been.

The Pantheon

This was the first big monument I saw. A little bit of history: The Pantheon is an important building because it was made FOR the Romans BY the Romans. It was a place of worship for all different types of gods (thus the name). The dome is what's truly incredible. Made out of concrete, it is the world's largest unreinforced dome. The very top center is open to the sky and the elements too. If it rains (which I had the wonderful pleasure of experiencing for a class... -___-), the water that falls to the floor runs to the sides and down cracks because the floor is sloped to prevent flooding. Those Romans thought ahead, huh?

I also went when it was sunny!

I'm at the Pantheon

The Vittoriano
Now this wasn't a monument I was familiar with before I came to Rome. It's one of the newer ones (aka not as ancient), but probably the most important to the Italians. It symbolizes the unification of Italy which didn't happen until the late 19th century. Fun fact: it's also called the Wedding Cake building. Cute, right?
 

Say cheese!

It's really big.

St. Peter's Basilica

So far in my time abroad, I've been to two different countries! Italy (obviously) and the Vatican City (har-dee har har). I was lucky to go on the last Sunday of the month where it is free to get inside and explore.
Inside the Basilica was absolutely astounding. It is SO big and so ornate; it's incredible. I plan on going back to climb up the cupola. I can only imagine what the view will look like.

Inside the Basilica

The famous Pietà

Again, I'm definitely planning on coming back to the Vatican. I want to climb to the top and I would love to make it to Easter mass. Or just a casual spotting of the pope in the pope-mobile. That's not too much to ask, right?

The Trevi Fountain
This has got to be my favorite monument so far. I audibly gasped when I turned the corner and saw it for the first time. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining. It was perfect.

La Fontana di Trevi

Of course, once I meandered down to the front of the Fountain, I did the biggest tourist move ever. I pulled out a coin, turned my back to the Fountain, and tossed the coin behind me. I can't tell you what my wish was, but it's a good one. I'm banking on it to come true.
I've been to the Fountain twice now, and I love it each time. I can't wait until the weather gets really nice and I can wear a sundress or something. Act like a model, you know. As for now, my green pea coat will suffice.

Me & some Arcadia girls

Now this list is lacking some big players (*cough* Colosseum, Spanish Steps *cough*). I've seen them, but only briefly. I also wasn't really camera ready, and you know how seriously I take my pictures. And if you didn't, well... I take my pictures very seriously. But fear not, what is a trip to Rome without pictures at the Colosseum? I won't disappoint.

After seeing a good majority of these famous monuments- even just walking down the cobblestone streets- I really had the feeling of "Wow, I'm in Rome." What an incredible feeling that is.