My trip to Italy was fantastic. This was the destination that I have been hoping to get to for years and three weeks ago was my opportunity to get out of this town and see some amazing architecture and art. Dave and I left Minnesota with our names down to stay at a campsite in Rome, Italy. Camping in Europe is funny. There was space for tents and campers, but the majority of the camp grounds was covered in little bungalows much like a trailer house... duplex style. Our first day in Rome was spent getting to the campsite, hanging out around the pool, and planning the days ahead.
Here's Dave reading the guide books that I got from the library.
An interior shot of the bungalow.
A could bungalow duplexes. They were in long rows.
My display of photos from here on are in no particular order. Dave and I were soon joined in Rome by his parents, Bill and Lisa so we wanted them to be able to experience some of things we saw in the days prior to their arrival so some repetition was occurring. For this reason I've decided to present two "like" groups of sites rather that a chronological representation of the journey. Part I is showing a lot of the hot tourist spots of Rome, the easily recognizable buildings and works... Here we go!
The Trevi Fountain.
Dave and I sitting on the fountain. Throw a coin in over your shoulder and you're bound to return someday. Funny story: while at the fountain we witnessed an elderly homeless looking man with a magnetic device retrieving Euros from the pond.
My favorite feature of the fountain is that the natural rock transitions smoothly into the clean cut facade. I enjoy this type of juxtaposition.
Recognizable site number 2: the Spanish Steps. As you can see they are very busy... You can not see though that they can be treacherous. After so many visitors walking up and down or lounging on them they have worn down to quite a slippery state. I fell down a couple steps during my decent. :)
This picture was taken at the top of the stairs. We conquered them... then they "conquered" me. My dad would tell me that I should have been wearing shoes... flip-flops don't count. haha
Number III: St. Peter's
It looks huge even from a long way away.
Here is the front facade.
And the ornate Baldachin in St. Peter's. This picture unfortunately does it no justice. Check out Wikipedia's pic.
This is a distance version of a typical attraction in Rome, the Colosseum. This picture is actually overlooking the ancient city of Rome. I think that it is beautiful.
Here is a shot of the interior the the Colosseum. Here is where the brutal games would take place. What you are seeing is the "cells" where dangerous animals were kept before they would be put in the arena. On the far end is the reconstruction of the floor that would have been over all of the cells on top of which the battles occurred.
Can you guess this one? Apparently not understanding the concept of ancient, I did not recognized number 5 of the recognizable sites as I approached. I knew what we were looking for, however when I saw it from this angle all decrepit looking (though still in fantastic shape for its age) it did not click in my head that we had found it.
If you guess the Pantheon before seeing this shot, +1 for you! Here is the view you should recognize the most. I love how the dome just disappears from all outside views...
...and then you step inside and whoa. Huge! and then the oculus! Speechless. Love it.
Well that is part I. I'm moving tomorrow so Part II will be sometime later. Later!
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