Nice, the night train, and Rome.

I left Taizé way to early in the morning to catch a bus then a train down to Nice. Strangely enough, Nice is very nice. Lots of beach and even some nude sun-bathers to complete the experience. I did partake in the beach but not the nude part...just so ya know.

After eating an ice cream and grabbing some fruit for the train, I hopped on my first night train on its way to Rome. I shared a six seat cabin with 5 then 2 other backpackers. It wasn't too bad with the three of us and I was able to get some sleep. The two other backpackers got off in Florence and an older Italian man came into my cabin. This was my first negative experience being a single woman traveling, but I got the point across to him that I was not interested in anything and that he should leave right now. Then I left the cabin until he moved his stuff out. It is a good thing that "No" is the same in any language.

And now I am in Rome. It is beautiful and the history is amazing. Today I stood under the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and gawked like the millions of other tourists who have done the same. It was unreal, I can hardly belive that it actually happened! But now I can cross that life goal off the list.

One very cool thing is that the girls I meet in Paris and ran around with my first night there are also here in Rome staying at the same place I am! They saw me at the bus stop and none of us could belive the coincidence! So it has been very fun to hang out with them in this beautiful city.

Tomorrow I am flying to Amsterdam to meet Eleanor, Rachel, and Janelle. I am very excited to hang out with people that I have known for more than a few days! And as much fun as this trip has been, it will be nice to be home. I'm too that point were I walk around and think, "oh, another old building...oh, another famous painting..." and that's just no good! But I will write more about what I really saw later when my energy and enthusiasm is back.