Roma in Pictures

This is the second installment of my Italy vacation in pictures, this time of Roma.

Rome was our first stop on the tour and once I got all the cheesy puns - just "Romeing" around...and "when in Rome" --- out of my system, I was overwhelmed with the history and culture of Rome. One of my undergraduate degrees was in History and so the story of Rome was so amazing and it was difficult to realize that I was actually standing in the midst of places and buildings I had studied so intently.

I was raised Catholic, so going to the Vatican City really held special meaning for me. However, even if I wasn't Christian, or even religious, it is hard to deny the art work, craftsmanship and skill that went into building the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Everything is Mosaic tile and centuries old paintings. I lack the words to describe it. Cameras aren't allowed into the Sistine Chapel, so I have nothing to share of it besides the fact that I could've spent an entire day in there staring and wondering and in awe of Michelangelo's creation. If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, you absolutely MUST visit.

This first picture (I originally posted when I got back), but it is of sun-light streaming into St. Peter's Basillica in Vatican City.

This is St. Peter's Square (and St. Peter's Basilica in the background) at night time. I'm not a huge fan of the way my shutter speed blurred the lights, but it was the best I could do. On the very right side of the picture, what looks like an apartment building is where the Pope lives!

This is a shot while inside the Vatican City (I'm not exactly sure where), but it is down a stairwell leading into St. Peter's Square. I like the light at the end.

The Trivoli Fountain. This is featured in many movies set in Rome. It's the famous fountain that you toss your coins into and make wishes for.

The Colosseum was unbelievable! I still can't get over how old it is and how steeped in history it is. (I also kept thinking that it would be a really cool place to have a modern concert). It was crazy to see the under ground tunnels where Gladiators roamed and even the cells where they and animals were kept. Pictures don't do it justice.

Simple, but I like it. A cross in the middle of the ruins of the Colosseum. (Sadly, it reminds me of a similar picture I have of a iron beam cross standing triumphantly in the midst of Ground Zero).

And, finally, this is a picture of my sister and me (I'm on the right in green) with the head waiter from our last night in Rome. This was the best meal I had in Italy. Two courses of gluten free pasta (one with the best pesto I have ever had in my entire life) followed by chicken with fresh tomatoes and (of course) gelato!! I wanted to stay and rent out a room above this restaurant, as long as this man would continue to feed me (of course the young, hot Italian waiter calling me "bella" all night, didn't hurt either).


Next Up: The Tuscan countryside.