Italy

Our original plan was to travel from Interlaken to Florence. Because of a impending train stike and the 1st of May holiday in the Catholic Church, all the trains were full to Florence, so we got stuck in Milan for the night. We stayed in a very scary hotel, and when we got on the train the next morning we were happy to be out of Milan.

We did make it to Florence, but we decided to try to make Rome while we still could, so we only spent an hour in the train station. We grabbed the train to Pisa, checked out the tower, and rode the train along the Mediterranean to Rome. We took the Metro to the Colosseum stop and were suprised to see the very old arena right in front of us as we came out of the train station.

Because of the train strike we decided to scrap our plans to visit Venice. We decided to see Rome in a day, and then head to Munich. So, we got up early and hit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. It is pretty amazing to see things built in ancient times that are still standing. We then hiked to the Pantheon and then to the Fountain of Trevi. We threw in our coins, and hopped the Metro to the Vatican. When we arrived in Vatican Square, it was full. We figured out that the pope was due to give his blessing soon, so we stayed around and saw him come to the window and give his blessing. After that we waited in line to get into St. Peter's. St. Peter's is an amazing church that was designed by Michaelangelo and built on the site of St. Peter's crucifixion. We climbed the steps and enjoyed a great view of Rome since it is the law no building can be built higher than St. Peter's.

The next morning we were on the train bound for Munich.

Misty in Pisa.	Pete leaning right along with the tower.	Misty resting outside the Colosseum in Rome.	Both of us waiting to get into the Colosseum.	Pete on the second level.
The floor is missing so you can see the cages they kept the lions and other animals in.	Pete looking over the ruins of the Roman Forum.	Misty with some of Rome behind her.	Misty, the Roman Forum, and Capitol Hill.	Among the Roman Forum, heading up Capitol Hill.
Pete in front of the Pantheon.	Misty and the dome of the Pantheon.	Pete lost in the crowd at the Fountain of Trevi.	The Fountain of Trevi in Rome.	Misty after throwing in her coins.
Pete in St. Peter's. Peter is buried under the alter you can see.	The dome of St. Peter's. Designed by Michaelangelo.	Misty looking out over Rome from the top of St. Peter's.	Vatican square from the top of St. Peter's. We were down there a few hours earlier and saw Pope John Paul II.