Tivoli 1/31

On the 31st we made a day trip out to Tivoli which is just east of Rome.  As usual it took us over an hour to figure out the transportation but we got there!  We had a little bit of a late start so we didn't arrive in Tivoli until about 3pm.  It is a VERY small town and the two main sights take up over half the town.  They are both Villas and are known for their gardens.  The Emperor Hadrian has a Villa there as well as a very wealthy family the D'Este's.  Because the Villas closed at sunset, which is about 5pm, we decided to go to Villa D'Este.  We went inside a Tabacchi and bought a ticket for the bus.  After about 10 min of waiting, a bus pulled up.  Since it is such a small town, not many people can speak english, which is an adventure in itself.  So i decided to do some practicing and asked the driver if it was the right bus for Villa D'Este.  He said of course and we hopped on anxious to go, only the driver hopped off!!!  We sat on the bus for 20 min before the driver came back with his coat and briefcase.  He summoned me to the front so that he could show us where to get off.  As we were on our way, he stopped at a location to let a woman on.  He decided to play the game with her that when she walked up to the door, he pulled forward.  Mind you this is a full-sized city bus!  We were all laughing but the woman was getting so frustrated!!  He finally let her on and she punched him in the arm!!!  Well since there weren't many of us on the bus, or because this is just how they do things in Tivoli, he took a different route to let us off in front of the Villa!!  It was very nice of him but funny at the same time.  We got to the Villa and paid our entrance fee to get in.  They gave us a map of the Villa since it was so huge!!  The house(mansion) was at the top of the hill and the gardens wound down the hill.  There were over 500 fountains throughout the gardens and even some that played music!  We only had a little over an hour there, but it was enough time to see the sunset over the hills.  Tivoli is very hilly and it made for some beautiful pictures.  When it gets warmer and the flowers blossom we are going to take a trip back.  We walked around the town after the Villa closed, and found a little place for dinner.  It was overlooking one of the Valleys in Tivoli, and was very typical Italian dining.  

School is getting a little more intense unfortunately, but it is still no where near the schools in the States.  I am loving being in Rome, and all my roommates are amazing.  I am nervous that I am not going to want to live a fast-paced lifestyle when I return home.  Everyone just seems so much happier here.  

Heather....I have been to Trevi fountain and it is absolutely beautiful!!  I tossed a coin in.  You  are supposed to do it over your left shoulder and stand with your back to the fountain.  If you give me your email, I can send you my photobucket album and you can see all of my pictures!

I hope everything is going well for everyone.  I miss you all and I can't wait to share my trip with you.