ROME: Day 2

The bus!

Today we woke up and headed to Lake Bracciano and visited a 15th century castle.  Apparently Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were married here in 2006. We didn't have much for breakfast because the dining hall was closed until fifteen before we got on the bus.  So we drank some delicious fresh squeezed orange juice (it was sooooo good) and I took some burnt pancakes for the road.

The 15th century castle!

 The bus drive took about an hour to get to the lake. When we finally did we had the option of going to visit the castle or go onto the lake.  Ashley and I decided to go see the castle which was up an extremely steep hill.  The walk up it was treacherous!

Look how steep this is!

When we got to the top, it was a whole other world.  The area was like something out of a fairytale book. The old moat was now the parking lot.  There was also an old church inside the walls and turrets.

In front of the old church within the castle.

We walked around the castle but were unable to tour it because it wasn't until later in the day and Ashley felt really gross and queasy from our lack of breakfast.  So we walked back down the steep hill which as I already mentioned was a steep incline.  It was pretty slippery walking down and I tripped and fell down while walking. 

foot wound

After making it back down the hill Ashley and I sat on the lake until it was time to eat at 1pm.  The area had such a nice cool breeze, it was very refreshing.  We ate at a very Italian restaurant.  The meal consisted of four courses.  The first was a appetizer of cantaloupe, prosciutco, a grilled egg plant, salomi, ham, and some sort of bread with a tasty mysterious topping on it.  My plate also had shellfish in a sea shell. Some people got baby octopuses in theirs.  It was quite gross.  However, the cantalope mixed with meat was EXTREMELY tasty and was an interesting combination of tastes. 

tasty first course

 The second course was meat lasagna, and I have to say I've tasted better in the States.  The third course consisted of a full bodied crayfish and other assorted seafood mixed with rise.  I didn't eat much of this plate and Ashley completely abstained from it due to her shellfish allergy.  They gave her a bowl of Risotto sauced rice instead.  The final course was a dessert that tasted like soap that had the texture of whipped cream.  Nevertheless, we were extremely full by the end of the meal.  After the meal we all went and chilled on the lake.

In the Lake!

At the lake you were able to rent umbrellas, chairs, and even paddleboats!  The paddleboats even had a slide on the back! A couple of frat boys in our group rented one and paddled along the shore.

bro boat

After about a half hour in the lake, we got on the bus and went home.  Ashley and I both passed out after a very exhausting day.  Perhaps we will go eat at a pizzeria later this evening.  Tomorrow is the first day of classes.

Sleepy Ashley