Updating from Rome!

Lots of exciting things.

I met an awesome guy on the plane yesterday. His name is Patrick, and he's an engineering officer for Holland America cruise ships. Works three months on, three months off. He's Dutch, but lives in Australia. Really interesting guy. We had dinner together and since my host cancelled on me, I stayed in the second bed in his room that Holland so graciously provided me. :)

Today, I went to Vatican City. Did a tour - 40Euro. Expensive, and they lie to you to get you to do it, but I'm glad I did. The other option was a SUPER long audio tour that you had to pay for. Plus the cost of the ticket to get in. Plus avoiding waiting in line, for the most part. And our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable. I got so many amazing photos.

Tooled around Rome for the rest of the evening, and now I'm staying with Jeff. He seems pretty cool. He reached out and offered his couch when I posted an SOS earlier, so he's obviously generous. He's out to dinner with a lady friend right now, but I suppose we'll have time to catch up when he gets back later.

Plan for tomorrow: Coliseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish steps.

Day one, and I thought I lost something but later recovered it. Day two, I lost my water bottle today. Perhaps I'll also go back to the internet cafe I think I left it at and see.

I'm going to go take my contacts out and clean my foot. My poor toe is all swollen - hopefully just from walking around on it so much today.

Also, I was in St. Peter's Basilica today when 5 o'clock mass started. I got chills. It was absolutely incredible. I am so blessed to be able to have this opportunity, and I would've been a fool not to come.