On the first official day of the tour of Rome, we went to see St. Peter's Basillica and the Sistine Chapel. It is different from when I visited with my cousin Ginny in 1972 because you have to pay to get into the Sistine chapel which has been cleaned since we were there so the colors are much more vibrant and the main altar of St. Peter's is roped off. I remember being able to go right up to the altar then. But it was still magnificent none the less to be there.
Everything about Rome is magnifcent. When we went to the forum, we found that the center of the forum was mile market 0 in Roman days meaning all roads lead to Rome. But Nancy and I got lot anyway and with every missed turn, we found another masterpiece of architecture or history.
What I thought was the Pantheon was really the Italian National Monument with Victor Emanuelle on a horse in front of a huge white column structure. They call it the "wedding cake." Then we went into the Pantheon which really was originally a temple to all gods then a church built over the top. The top of this dome is totally open and it will rain in so there are slits in the marble floor directly below to catch the rain water and later use it.
The Italian really waste very little and are really very efficient. Many places do not have air conditioning because the buildings are so old. If they do, the a/c shuts off when no one is in the room. Also no kleenex. I guess they figure you use a handkerchief or toilet tissue. The cars are small or people ride vespas to get the most gas mileage. In fact today, I saw a man riding on a vespa with his beagle resting by his feet on the bike while he rode.
We also saw the Coliseum and Arch of Constantine who was the first king to recognize Christianity. Lots of bride and grooms were there using both as a backdrop for their wedding photos. I took a side tour to the catacombs which were totally cool...literally. There are 11 miles of catacombs. The reason they existed and started is because the Romans cremated their dead and since the early christians believed in the resurrection, they wanted to bury their dead. There was no room to do this as well as the persecution issue. So the catacombs were really their burial grounds as well a chapel to perform services.
July is sale month in all of Italy so many clothing items are up to 50% off. So when we went to the Spanish steps, there were hundreds of people waiting to get into stores like Valentinos, Lacoste etc. to get their bargains. Of course, we did the obligatory Trevi Fountains. Legend has it you throw one coin to return to Rome, two coins to fall in love with an Italian and three coins to marry that Italian love.
Then we headed to Piazza Navona. It has the best fountain in Rome...the one of the four rivers that meet and was made by Michealanglo and was in the Angels and Demons book I think. Also the church of St. Agnes that is there is one where are the dignataries get married. It is a happening place. I think I saw the best mime I have ever seen there. Best gelati ever was near there. It is called Della Palma with 100 varieties of gelato to choose from. The Pizza Buffeto had lines so we just got some pizza at a local place which was good.
To me, overall Rome is a fabulous place...it is the total package of history blended into the present.
Everything about Rome is magnifcent. When we went to the forum, we found that the center of the forum was mile market 0 in Roman days meaning all roads lead to Rome. But Nancy and I got lot anyway and with every missed turn, we found another masterpiece of architecture or history.
What I thought was the Pantheon was really the Italian National Monument with Victor Emanuelle on a horse in front of a huge white column structure. They call it the "wedding cake." Then we went into the Pantheon which really was originally a temple to all gods then a church built over the top. The top of this dome is totally open and it will rain in so there are slits in the marble floor directly below to catch the rain water and later use it.
The Italian really waste very little and are really very efficient. Many places do not have air conditioning because the buildings are so old. If they do, the a/c shuts off when no one is in the room. Also no kleenex. I guess they figure you use a handkerchief or toilet tissue. The cars are small or people ride vespas to get the most gas mileage. In fact today, I saw a man riding on a vespa with his beagle resting by his feet on the bike while he rode.
We also saw the Coliseum and Arch of Constantine who was the first king to recognize Christianity. Lots of bride and grooms were there using both as a backdrop for their wedding photos. I took a side tour to the catacombs which were totally cool...literally. There are 11 miles of catacombs. The reason they existed and started is because the Romans cremated their dead and since the early christians believed in the resurrection, they wanted to bury their dead. There was no room to do this as well as the persecution issue. So the catacombs were really their burial grounds as well a chapel to perform services.
July is sale month in all of Italy so many clothing items are up to 50% off. So when we went to the Spanish steps, there were hundreds of people waiting to get into stores like Valentinos, Lacoste etc. to get their bargains. Of course, we did the obligatory Trevi Fountains. Legend has it you throw one coin to return to Rome, two coins to fall in love with an Italian and three coins to marry that Italian love.
Then we headed to Piazza Navona. It has the best fountain in Rome...the one of the four rivers that meet and was made by Michealanglo and was in the Angels and Demons book I think. Also the church of St. Agnes that is there is one where are the dignataries get married. It is a happening place. I think I saw the best mime I have ever seen there. Best gelati ever was near there. It is called Della Palma with 100 varieties of gelato to choose from. The Pizza Buffeto had lines so we just got some pizza at a local place which was good.
To me, overall Rome is a fabulous place...it is the total package of history blended into the present.
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