July 10

Today is the first day of our free long weekend after a week of preparation for yesterday's presentation.  Many of us chose to leave Berlin and explore more of other places in Europe. I was fortunately to have the chance to see Rome and Florence in Italy. The weather was extremely hot and much more tourists than in Berlin as well. We visited Colosseum, Imperial Forum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.

                

 Early in the morning, departure! 

First stop: Colosseum! It was impressive and amazing, and also many tourists as well. Colosseum is well preserved while we can also see many evidence of damages from those war years. 

Imperial Forum

Pantheon 

Street artist imitation of Het meisje met de parel

Authentic Italian food in Eataly

Trevi Fountain under construction 

Famous ice cream store: Giolitti.

July 11

We visited Vatican City in the morning. Although I have heard so many things about this religious country, it was still amazing and exciting to explore it by myself. Once we got to St. Peter Square, I almost wanted to leave when I saw that many tourists waiting in the line trying to get into Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano. We decided to hire a didactic guide so that we can skip the line.We visited St. Peter Basilica(Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. In the afternoon, we went to Castel Sant'Angelo to have a great view of the whole city. It was hot and long stairs to climb up, but the view was definitely worth it. 

Something interesting is that we missed the train two times. We had these stereotypes of Italian people not always on time; however, our trains were precisely on time or departed even one minute early.

Pietà by Michelangelo in Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano

Me hugging the postbox in Vatican. 

Distance view of St. Peter basilica's dome.