Bella Roma!

It's amazing what you can see during a week in Rome! The annual 8th grade trip lucked out this year with fantastic weather, so we were out and about all day every day. Maripat did an excellent job of preparing the students for the trip in their Latin classes! Each student researched a different landmark and gave a presentation to the class. Petyr, Virgil, Kristin and Mr. Hundley also contributed their expertise to the success of the trip.

After a long flight, the excitement was palpable as we drove into Rome, and students recognized places like the Colliseum and Palatine Hill. We unpacked at the hotel and then set out to get our bearings and visit the Pantheon. After an early dinner (most Romans sit down for an evening meal around 8pm) and gelato, we meandered back to the hotel to hunker down and try to get some sleep.

Bright and early (VERY early for those with a bit of jet lag) Monday morning we set out for the Piazza Navona to meet our Ancient Rome tour guide. The colorful piazza, a former site for ancient Roman games, came alive as we waited surrounded by Bernini sculptures, local artists, and the stunning Church of St. Agnes in Agone. The tour was a mixture of very old (the Forum), old (the Trevi Fountain), and modern (HUGE jars of Nutella). We also visited the Palatine Hill, where the Roman elite made their homes and played soccer and frisbee in the Circus Maximus.

Day 2 included many more sites including a trip to the Colliseum, St. Peter in Chains, more soccer and frisbee above the Domus Aurea, gelato and delicious food.

On Day 3 we divided into our smaller groups and explored the city while slowly making our way toward the Vatican. Each group chose different things, some of which included visiting Hadrian's Mausoleum, exploring churches, and shopping at open markets. The afternoon tour of the Vatican Museum was highlighted by seeing the Sistine Chapel followed by a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. Jerick climbed the steps to the very top of the Cupola to take in the view of Rome and the Tiber.

Thursday we took a bus tour to the ancient seaport ruins of Ostia Antica where we got to see how the "real" ancient people lived. We saw the remains of ancient baths, a fire station, burial sites and a well built directly in the middle of the ancient road. Back in the city, we walked to the Capitoline Hill Museum. We also tested our honesty at the Boca Della Verita: legend has it that the mouth of this ancient manhole cover will close on the hand of a liar. Everyone in our group returned with two hands.

For our final day, we walked to the Spanish Steps, spent time on the grounds of the Villa Borghese and visited the Borghese Museum.

After somefinal gift buying and an early supper, we made one last trip to the Trevi Fountain: one coin to return to Rome, two coins to find love in Rome and three coins to live in Rome.