Veni Vidi Vici

Rome may have not been built in a day, but we Aggies proved it can be toured in one. We watched the sun rise as we boarded the bus and waited anxiously for a few latecomers to arrive. Leaping across Italy in our metal chariot, we screeched to a halt at Tarantola. We then boarded our high speed metal chariot except this one was long and slender and fast-like. Thankfully Rome was the end of the line because 99.972% and a half of The Maroon Platoon slept through the ninety minute ride. Flooding out of the train station like rain we all piled into taxis. We caught our first glimpse of the city as we rode to the Colosseum. Silly old Italian men in gladiator costumes, fake six-packs, cigarettes and all, were posing for overpriced Polaroid photographs with tourists. Too cool for that, we took our own pictures, very nice!

Passing Constantine’s arch, most of us began our day in Italy by perusing the Palatine Hill. Furthermore we finally frolicked frantically to the FRoman Forum. Amidst dozens of steps (John: Steps suck), cobblestone paths, and convenient drinking fountains. We observed ruined ruins and gained a deeper appreciation for the genius of Roman architecture and engineering. Bringing out the big guns, we toured the Colosseum. We watched the gladiator battle (John lies). They fought hippopotami (historically accurate). It was cool (opinion). Less reverent (but spirited) Aggies had carved ATM into one of the pillars towards the exit. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The Romans believed in every man for himself, (and democracy, for a while…) So naturally, we left John and Chris to starve while we raced to see the Circo Massimo (John and Chris: JERKS.) Johns sobs could be heard all the way to Florence (except not really though, only the Pantheon). There wasn’t really anything there, so the joke was on us. (Meanwhile me and Chris had delicious pizzas.)

Since we were on the super-fast tour, we rushed past the Victtorio Emmanuel II Monument (Also known as the “Typewriter”) and continued to the Trevi Fountain. Throwing coins in hopes to return to Rome and fall in love, we continued on to our next stop, the Pantheon. Deriving from the Latin roots “Pan” meaning “all” and “theos” meaning “Gods,” We arrived at the pagan church. Old friends were reunited in a greeting so violent, street musicians stopped playing and bystanders anticipated a blood-thirsty battle (John and Chris angrily returned to the group). We saw where Dante and Victorrio Emmanuel II were buried. Chris and I had enough touring with the “jerks” and a schism occurred as we tore them in two. Mattman, a.k.a. Matt, and Ross the Haas is a Boss led group 1 to the Piazza Navona with the Four Rivers fountain by Bernini, lunch, and Castel Sant’ Angelo. Group 2 enjoyed delicious big macs, cokes, and chips because Italians don’t know the proper name for fries (we finally made our way out of parentheses world).

The Maroon Platoon all met again at 1:15 at St. Peters square. Our guide Rich led us through the breathtaking St. Peters Basilica, and then through the Vatican Museum. We saw the incredible Sistine Chapel. In our last hour and a half in Rome we travelled by metro, taxi, or foot (and literally running) to the Spanish steps, or the Trevi fountain. It was at this time that a terrible travesty transpired. We were forced to pass up Burger King. Ohno! (Oh, this is John now) Redhead Taylor and Nervous Nancy Victoria forced us to pass up the king of burgers. So we had to race to the station so we could arrive 40 minutes early and eat McDonalds. Anyways, then we rode the train back. Everyone was ridiculously tired after walking around all day. Luckily, we still had time for gelato when we arrived back in our “home town.” It was a relaxing finish to a hectic day.