Day 31-> an Aussiem Fourth of July.

4th of July. This is the American holiday. Barbecues, pick-nicks, family, friends, and fireworks. In Rome, not so much. July 4th means nothing more than the 3rd or 5th.

Today we had reservations for the Vatican museum and the Sistine chapel. The museum was like Versailles without the bedrooms and a storage room of marble sculptures. There was 1 thing that this museum was leading up to. Past the amazing works, frescos, tapestries that would be the centerpiece in any other museum were un important compared to the star, the Sistine chapel. Read up more on the history of it, it is pretty cool. Simple at first, but as your eye studies the detail, and the room, you realize how incredible it is. I can't begin to do it justice, so I won't attempt to.

After saying goodbye to my friend that has been my travel companion for the past 4 days, I was on my own. It struck me for a moment, this is it. I am doing this. Me, myself and God.

Off to st. Peters Basilica, this is the worlds largest church. It doesn't seem massive in comparison to the rest of the square, yet proportional. An design success. The inside however is huge. This has been the site of coronations, funerals and also the crucifixion of St. Peter prior to the building of the church, which is what give it it's namesake.

I pondered climbing the dome of the basilica, however the clouds looming above deterred me from doing such. Instead, I headed back tom the hostel to freshen up and find somewhere to have an American dinner. Before I could finish finding a place, my roommates for the night came in. A couple from California, a med student from Tasmania Australia (Oli), and a orchestra conductor from South America. After some quick chatting, Oli suggested we all go out for dinner. So us four guys headed out to a pizzeria. Yes, pizza on the fourth of July. We talked more about where we come from and also how the rest of the world sees our country.

After dinner, myself and Oli decided to hang out a bit and perhaps grab a couple of drinks at a bar. We ended up going to the Spanish steps and enjoying a shitty European beer before heading back to the hostel.

This was by far a fourth to remember. There was no fireworks, pig, or red white and blue. Instead, I shared about my culture and where I come from with someone and in return learned about their culture.

God Bless Americia!

-Until

Matt