Getting to the internet has been difficult lately. I was able to upload two Facebook albums of pictures, which has given me some breathing room:

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001268&l=7e1de&id=193400067

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001269&l=29104&id=193400067

voila! I have many many more, as does Lauren, which will be posted ASAP. Which might not be until I get home. Because those ^ only are the first few days!

So, last day in Rome we headed down to Appian Way, an Ancient Roman road. It’s to the south of the city but it’s like it’s in another world. It’s all tree-lined and scenic. There were lots of excavations under way, and one was open to the public. (Well, probably more than one but we went into this one.) It was an ancient bathhouse, which was really cool because a lot of the floors and pipe system was still in-tact. And it was well labeled, like I’d hoped Palatine Hill would be.

Then we walked down to the other end and went to the catacombs! Went on a tour of the most extensive ones in the area. They’re from the 3rd century (that’s the 200s people), stretch over 20 km and originally held the remains of 9 popes. We only were down there for 20 minutes but it was really fascinating.

We headed over to Piazza Navone in the evening and had dinner at a little bar. Then it was back to the apartment to pack up and get ready to leave in the morning.

The next day, yesterday (though it feels like weeks ago already) we went to Siena. We had to take a train to one small town then take a bus to Siena, but it allowed for some beautiful views of Tuscany. Spent the afternoon wandering around the city. Did some shopping, visited the brightly-colored Gothic cathedral. Ate dinner on Il Campo then went back to our hotel for some wine and gelato. The place we were staying turned out to be really nice- we had the whole top floor to ourselves with a private bathroom and kitchen. But the elephant neighborhood (I can’t remember what they’re called, the different neighborhoods) was having a grape festival with live music literally right below our window until 1 am. So sleeping was difficult.

Today, we arrived in Florence in the afternoon. We took a wrong bus in Siena so got here later than expected. The hostel we’re staying in is an old villa, which is really cool. But it’s on the far edge of the city, so it took us a while to get here. We checked in, dumped our stuff, and headed quickly back toward the city. Saw Michaelangelo’s David, sat out in front of Piti Palace, crossed the Ponte Vecchio, walked up to Piazzita Michaelangelo for a gorgeous view of the city, then headed back to the cathedral area for dinner.

And now we’re back at the hostel. Leaving tomorrow at 10:30 for Venice, where we’ll spend the next night and two days. We’ll go to Verona after that, though it’s so small and so close to Piacenza, we both doubt we’ll want to stay there for the night. We’re ready to be done I think! I’m still excited for what’s to come, but I am so wiped out. I don’t even remember what it feels like for my feet NOT to hurt all day. Almost done though! It feels like I’ve been gone a month already, not just a week and a half…

I can honestly say I miss you all and I’ve talked about work some. But I haven’t worried about it =P See you all soon!