All roads lead to Rome

…apparently all planes do too. Because when our initial flight in was cancelled, the group of 75 orphans was split across 4 groups, assigned to several different trips.

I, for example, left Paris for Barcelona and then arrived in Rome. There was a group lucky enough to have a direct flight from Paris if they waited for three hours, and there were two groups unlucky enough to have to be flown all the way to London before reaching Rome.

doesn't get any more authentic than this!

Needless to say, after all of us helpless Americans somehow found our way out of the French airport and onto Italian soil, we were tired and hungry. We got our strange electronic keys and our first taste of Italy: pizza.

GOODBYE BAGUETTE.

What Americans think of pizza is an absolute abomination that admittedly, I adore. But then I had some pizza that reminded me of L&B and died it a little inside.

Don’t worry, bridezilla, workout routine starts Monday.

After I ate this, I cried of joy.

So someone mentioned today how this is our second day in Rome. I feel like I’ve been here forever. I don’t speak any Italian besides the words that I can relate to Spanish.

Pretty sure the first night I had a full conversation with the cab driver; my end was in Spanish and his was in Italian.

Regardless, this city is absolutely breathtaking. The history of it is more extensive than that of Paris, more intricate, and for me it is much more appealing.

King Louis got beheaded but the Romans were doing much more brutal things way before he even took the throne.

I haven’t gotten to the epicenter of their murders yet; that moment is the coliseum. I did visit a few other sites though, like the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon.

NO BIG DEAL.

The best was definitely the Trevi. From seeing pictures I always assumed it was in the center of this massive spacious piazza. By the sunlight that penetrates it, I can defend my assumption. When I got there, it was in the middle of a square, of course, but enclosed by gelaterias and shops. It was still bathed in sunlight.

SUNLIGHT? It’s true. Paris was hardly providing us with dry days and Rome immediately welcomed us with 50ish degree weather and a sun that amps it.

There's the big bad Trevi.

The whole of the orphanage is sick, but hopefully some fresh air and good food will help us to kick the bug.

Rome is one of those places where you feel at home instantly. Maybe it’s because everyone reminds me of my dad and the food is exactly what I would expect at my own dinner table. It just really all hit me when the moment I landed, I had this strange sensation and all I could think was “I’m never going to want to leave.”

Now just to master the language.