Vacay Trip #3: Supermarket イタリアスーパー巡り

Living in Geneva, you really learn to appreciate supermarket overseas because they're cheap! Italian supermarkets were among the cheapest and freshest foods I've seen and has nourished me well every night, especially as I was exhausted every night from walking around

世界どこ行っても同様、地元のスーパーに行くのが趣味です♪　イタリアのスーパーはかなりお安く、種類豊富で毎晩観光を終わらして宿泊先に帰る途中で立ち寄るのが楽しみでした☆

The pasta section.. only that this was all that could fit in my camera. In reality, it's 3 times as big.. a whole entire row!

More pasta　パスタのコーナーがすごすぎてビビりました。何種類あるんだ・・・

Yummy cheap Italian wine

What my dinner looked like: vegetables, instant rice, prosciutto, pickled pepper, and of course Italian beer :) Nothing fancy at the restaurants but I was too tired after walking around all day　毎日クタクタになって帰ってきたので夕飯はこんな感じ　；＾＾　ビールはマストでしょ♪

本場の生ハムはおいしかったな～

Another HUGE section of just olive oil　オリーブオイルもすごい種類

Personal favorite Italian beer :)　地元イタリアンビール。結構いけます

Call me weird, but this random potato chips I picked up was extremely good. Should've gotten a pack as a souvenir!　なぜいかハマったイタリアンポテトチップス。塩味が程よく効いている♪

Vacay Trip #3: Rome Day 3 - Ancient City

I think I enjoyed the Colloseum and Ancienty City the most throughout my trip. Not only was the property enormous and so you had a lot to see, but you can feel the historical weight of the place to the bones. You just have to let you imagination wander a little and you can imagine yourself in ancient Rome. It was such a great experience walking around and seeing the majestic views

Only do Japanese salarymen would come to a tourist site in their suit during their business trip

Machine gun loaded guard

Vacay Trip #3: Rome Day 3 Where I went instead

So as in my previous post, there was no way I could get into the Vatican change of course. I decided to go to Basilica di San Giovanni as I read that it's one of the oldest Papal Basilicas and I heard it's one of the most beautiful churches, yet very quiet and spiritual. And indeed that was a better choice than the crowded, hot Vatican. There was history and beautiful artwork in every corner of the church. What was interesting was there was a tourist group from Africa (unfortunately couldn't tell which country) with about 200 members coming in as I left. I saw a few of them while I was in the church and it was very vibrant seeing their colorful dresses blending in with the colorful art work of the inside of the church.

After what turned out to be a chaotic morning, it's time to fill my stomach up with some carbs for the afternoon at the Colosseum and Ancient City. I stepped into a semi-touristy pizza parlor but nevertheless I really loved the ambiance. And most importantly I finally got to eat pizza in Italy which was just heavenly.

Vacay Trip #3: Rome Day 3 Vatican

I knew beforehand that it's a total pain to enter St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican museums. I knew this because whenever I tried to book for a tour or entry time, they'd fill up instantly. Nevertheless, I also read articles in which some people were able to get in rather quickly in the afternoons,  after all the morning tour groups have left. So I decided to embark on this challenge and try to get in myself

I'm already here at the Vatican!

....and the line was infinitely long. Probably not enough time for people to get in before they close for the day. Would I want to wait for a few hours to get into to a once in a life time church and museum or use that time to go see other things. My decision was the latter. Plus I didn't want to wait alone in 34 degree weather! And it was a very smart move. I was able to see very nice smaller sized churches that not many tourists don't go to and frankly that was much more worth it than getting crammed into a small space with millions of selfie sticks and cameras going off simultaneously. Sorry Vatican, I'll be back next time!

Vacay Trip #3: Rome Airbnb

I just usually don't show or talk about my Airbnb rooms in general as they are private homes but I just had to share this because it was hands down, the best place I've stayed and my host, Pietro was excellent. Pietro remodeled the entire apartment using recycling materials and minimalist furniture and it's very stylish. Few of the rooms even have its own bathroom & shower which is even better. Have I also told breakfast is included as well? The only slightly negative point is that it's about 30-40min bus ride away from central Rome. But you're out all day anyway when you're sightseeing so for most of you it shouldn't be a problem at all. Plus it's in a quiet residential neighborhood; far away from all the hustle and bustle in the central area. Most of all, the place is immaculate, and when I mean immaculate I mean Japanese standards immaculate.

The room and bed was HUGE!

Really cute and nice bathroom

Community and breakfast area

For breakfast I had fruits, organic bread and butter, juices, organic milk and cereal, coffee, and pasteries

Of course coffee isn't instant!

Outside terrace