I am so exhausted. Today was a bit more relaxed than some of the other days, but I haven't slept as much as I should and it is starting to take its toll. This morning we had classes (I woke up early enough to shower and have breakfast before going today) and after lunch my roommate and I relaxed for a bit in our room.

At four we had a tour of the Vatican, where we climbed 550 stairs to the top of the dome. The view was spectacular, but the closer we got to the top, the narrower and more slanted the walls became. There was a break in the steps where we were able to walk onto the roof and look out over Rome before going into the dome, and it gave us a chance to cool down a bit. Inside the dome, there is a walkway right next to the ceiling mosaics and it overlooks the church. We took some pictures of the people below and the dome itself and continued up the stairs, where it got even hotter and more slanted. The last set even had a rope to hold on to on the way up. The top of the dome was full of people, but the view was stunning! The way down the stairs was much easier and before we knew it we were at the bottom.

Willa, Song, Alexa and I decided to break off from the rest of the group to go for dinner. We made our way across the bridge and found a little outdoor restaurant. I ordered liguine al pesto and bruschetta, both of which were bellissimo! We caught a bus going back to the hotel and, you'll never guess, we stopped for gelato. Nutella and a dark chocolate flavor (I think it was called fonduta) today. When we got back to the hotel, Antonio, Rena and I studied for our Italian class (which I think is completely beyond my level, but that is another story) and I am calling it an early night.

Sorry guys, I am trying to upload photos, but it isn't going well. The connection speed is terrible here, so loading twenty pictures takes almost an hour. I'll keep trying, but they may not be up until a few days after I've been there.