Paris

It's our last day in Paris today and tomorrow start heading back home. The first day we got here we were able to go see the Louvre. We stood in this massive line that wrapped around the Louvre, and the Louvre isn't small. Luckily it moved fast, Rica timed it and it took about an hour to get through the line which isn't back considering how big the line was. It was absolutely amazing to be able to finally walk through the Louvre. Of course I went to go see the Mona Lisa which was so congested it felt like a mosh pit. Once your were in you were literally stuck. Hard to get a picture. Then I went to go see some other really neat statues. You could spend days in there but I got lost a couple of times and went in circles so I called it good. I saw all the important things I wanted to see. We also walked over to see the Notre Dame cathedral which was really really cool. We went inside and they had just started mass and heard someone singing. It was nice and serene compared to the hectic outside world. We decided to go back and wait at the Louvre's shopping center/cafe area until it got dark so we could see the pyramid lit up. Well we waited until 10:30 and finally found out that they don't light it on that night for some reason. So to say the least.. we tried. Maybe next time I can see it at night :)

The next day we headed to go see the famous arch and of course the Eiffel tower. We missed our stop on the metro and had to walk a ways to get to the arch, but we found some really cool buildings along the way. We finally got to the arch and then headed to the Eiffel tower. WOW I was more then impressed with the Eiffel tower. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was definitely better then I could have ever imagined! I will come back someday with Nick for sure and we will have to go to the top and it will be so romantic :) Paris I would say is definitely for lovers.

It's hard to believe that my Europe trip is almost over. It's really crazy to think that it has been a month since I started this journey. Nothing could have been more perfect on this whole trip. Except of course if Nick came with me :) I will be back someday that's for certain it's so beautiful here :)

random rainbow tower

awesome architecture

me and the rainbow

the Eiffel tower and I

bottom view

the Famous Arch

sunset at the Louvre

this guy goes right into the fountains and starts picking up coins. We think well maybe he's with the Louvre, but then we notice he's only picking up bigger coins. No shame.

a delicious big mac on the 4th of July at the Louvre

Notre Dame

building growing on a bush

cool band playing outside of the Louvre they're really good Yordan.fr check them out!

All of us at the Louvre

my favorite sculpture

Da Vinci code

Mona Lisa

me and the Venus

The Louvre and I

inside the pyramid

this is an "empty" hall at the Louvre... seriously SO packed

Bye bye Rome

Our last day in Rome we got a lot done. I really love the city of Rome I would have to say it's one of my favorite up there with Venice. It's so amazing to see just how old these buildings are and all the different centuries they have stood. We started by going to the Spanish steps and got a really great view of the city. Amy and I then went to the Borghese Museum which at this point in our trip was another classical museum with more classical paintings and statues. But it was good to go see. We then went back to the Spanish steps to get the other view looking from the bottom up. It was SO crowded there. Lastly we had to go to the Pantheon and that was really amazing to see. The building has the streets built up around it. At that point our feet we so tired we were ready to go have a break. Later that night we went to see the colosseum at night all lit up. I'll have to post those pictures up later.

Now we're in Paris and we go to the Louvre tomorrow :)

Pantheon

pantheon columns

the scooter - They're everywhere in ITALY

Street signs - they have them on the building

me in St. Maria's church

interior of St. Maria

the Pantheon

the Oculus

Overlooking the Spanish steps

enjoying the cool breeze :)

the pantheon and me

the Oculus and I

another Michelangelo work of art

Amy and I finding our way

Vatican City

Today we headed to the Vatican after a disturbing time on the metro. Guys here have no problem being grabby when it gets crowded GROSS. Luckily this probably will be the only time we take the metro. We arrive at the Vatican and head straight for the Sistine Chapel. The halls of Vatican Museum are nice and all but we had a mission and so did everyone else. We wanted the Sistine. It was super crowded when we finally got in and of course they were yelling NO PHOTO! So you just have to not be obvious about the shots you're taking. I did so good until I wanted a close up of the famous touch where God touched Adam. Then some random lady tells me no photo citizens here really like to enforce the law themselves ha ha I got some decent shots though :) It was really incredibly to finally see the chapel. It's really big and I can hardly believe Michelangelo did nearly all of it by himself. We sat there for quite a while until we moved onto the next place. On our way we found this little gelato shop. Oh my gosh! They gave us so much!! It was overflowing and absolutely delicious! I'd say about the size of a softball. That filled us up so we continued on to St. Peter's Basilica. This place is HUGE and gorgeous! There's really so much to see in there it's hard to absorb it all at once. The square we passed getting there is the famous one that's in the Da Vinci Code. It was really cool to see. We headed home after that and will go see the Pantheon tonight!

wood columns that mark St Peter's burial 6 stories below

Outlook of part of Vatican out Vatican Museum's window

me and Trevi

Trevi fountain at night!

cool stained glass window in St Peter's basillica

St. Peter's Basillica - inside

St. Peter's Basillica - outside

me in St. Peter's Basillica

God touching Adam (right before I was told "no photo" by a dutiful citizen)

Sistine Chapel

famous statue in St. Peter's Basillica

me outlooking Vatican and where part of the Da Vinci code takes place :)

When in Rome :)

We got into Rome yesterday, but we finally got to see some of the big stuff today. Rome is definitely one of my all time favorite cities. There is so much to see! We started the day by going to see the Roman ruins and Colosseum. Wow..... it's so amazing to see how old Rome really is. I could have spent all day at the ruins it was so interesting and the colosseum is so incredible too. I was not disappointed the least I can say.

Pictures really don't do them justice, but I couldn't help but try and capture the moment. Luckily the sun was hiding for most of the day which was really nice since we were outside all day. We still got tired after the Colosseum and decided to go have our own siesta before we cam back out at night. After a nap we went to go see the Trevi fountain at night. I wasn't expecting for it to be so big and majestic! We went around 10 pm and it was so packed! I really loved it, and yes I did through a coin in :)

Tomorrow we go see the Vatican :)

waiting outside the Colosseum... so hot!

Temple ruins

Saturn temple ruins

more temple ruins

me and Roman ruins (it was really bright)

Roman statue remains

Large roman field of remains

different angle

entry way to St. Peter's church a short stop we made on our way to the ruins it had some famous artwork and chains inside

Moses statue by Michelangelo in St. Peter's church

Me and the colosseum

me and the temple of Saturn

me and a random fish pond in the ruins

the COLOSSEUM

the colosseum different view

the chains St. Peter wore (in St.Peter's church)