Journal 34 Tuesday: God, today started out bad...sorta. I only had an hour of sleep due to getting ready the night before. I was up at 3am to shower and pack. I was said goodbye to my Mom and went downstairs about 3:50ish. My taxi arrived just before 4am to take me to Liverpool Street Station. The taxi driver was crazy, he was speeding through the streets and whipping around corners - he also blew through a red light or two, haha. But he was nice and offered alternate ways for me to get to Stansted. I ended up just having him take me to Liverpool Street Station so I could catch the train. It only cost 20pounds to get to the station, which was good. Once there I had to buy my ticket for the train...another 14pounds...great, just spending money all over the place this morning. I called my dad and talked to him for about 10minutes updating him on the weekend and my plans for traveling this week. Then the train arrived so we could board. I was half asleep the whole way to the airport, and once there made my way to the ticket counter. My damn zipper broke on my duffel bag again so I got to sit there and fix it. I checked my stuff and made my way to my gate. I bought a hot chocolate, it was horrible - almost no chocolate in it. As soon as the plane took off I crashed out, and slept pretty much the whole two hour flight. After landing I went through customs. You can't even read the stamp on my passport, I was so disappointed. While waiting for my bag I could hear a girl who sounded Calfornian, she was. I talked to her and her friend for a bit and then made my way out. I walked around trying to find an info desk where I could pick up a map. There wasn't one; so I ended up tagging along with the same girl and guy as before. There were headed toward Termini Station, which is near where I needed to go. So I had to take a bus and two trains to get to the stop I needed. Still without map I wandered around a while til I was able to find my street. It's so much warmer down here than in England. I could argue that I brought too much clothing, but then again I'll need it when I get to Amsterdam, London, and even when I'm in Florida before I get back home. I checked into my hostel. It's really nice. It was voted the #8 hostel in the world actually. The people here are nice, the rooms are nice, the bathrooms are incedibly nice. They have computers, internet, tv w/ dvds for us, and even a full kitchen for us to use and cook stuff. I sat around for about 30min because I was still kind of tired. My eyes were hurting from not sleep, and then sleeping in my contacts... oh well. So I decided that I would walk to the Colluseum, since the hostel gave me a map when I checked in. I walked around town following the streets I needed but at the same time stopping to see anything that looked cool. I eventually made it to the Colluseum. It's incredible. I never really thought would actually be standing here, you know? I started taking all sorts of pictures to show people back home. I walked around about half of it, and then decided I would pay the 10Euros ($14) to get in. Well when I walked up to get a ticket I handed the guy my credit card. "Cash Only" he said, oh... I asked him where an ATM was and he told me. But then he said, "You won't make it back in time. Is it just you?". I nodded. "Here" he said, printing off a ticket and handing it to me. So I got in for free!!! woo hoo! Nothing is better than free! I walked all around the interior and upstairs, taking pictures and looking at everything I could. It was pretty amazing to be looking at the Colluseum where people would fight to the death as crowds watched. It was a little eerie. After finishing in the Colluseum I walked past the Arch they have out front - I swear each country here has one. I took some more pictures of the ancient columns they have everywhere. I slowly made my way back toward my hostel. I stopped at the ATM and got out 150Euros ($200); I think I'm going to be able to stretch this the whole trip actually. That of course will work if I pay admission to stuff with my credit card and only use cash for small souvineers and food. While I was walking I noticed how many people here stared at me. I had my sunglasses on so they didn't know I saw them looking. I have a feeling people have a really hard time figuring out what I am; I'm not very white, but I also don't look very Italian/Mexican/etc. When I got to the Termini Station there were THOUSANDS of birds flying around the sky. I tried to take a picture of them but I know it probably didn't come out very well. I went back to the hostel and checked my email again. I sent Chris information on how to get to this hostel when he arrives tomorrow morning; but I'm not sure if he'll be able to check it in London tonight. I then spent the evening relaxing in the Common room here watching movies with everyone. We watched Meet the Parents, and then Ocean's 11. And now I've been typing journals for the last hour or so. I miss my ergonomic split wireless keyboard... this laptop is too small. Anyway, I'm going to head to bed. Hopefully I'll be up in time to get to the Vatican tomorrow and see the Pope.
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