Rome
An important tip for Rome, while trekking to/from these highlights, is how to cross a busy road. The best way to cross a road (up to 8 lanes) is to not look left or right. The Italians know, that in the game of pedestrian chicken, the pedestrian always loses. So, simply ignore the cars and walk wherever you like - if you're of a size likely to damage their precious vehicle (go Brad!) they'll avoid hitting you.
As beautiful as all the ancient mosiacs and wall murals were, this hand painted original is worthy of note as well.
The Trevi Fountain means a lot to us, and so we spent a lot of time in the area. It's a singularly beautiful place. Improbably beautiful even. Almost like some sort of 'Transdimensional Beauty White Hole' exist there. Brad theorizes that the entire municipalities of Lethbridge, Coaldale and Edmonton are required to feed the fountain, explaining a lot.
We had planned to stay in Hotel Fontana overlooking the fountain in a standard (no view) room. No view, but a spectacular breakfast room four stories up. The building the hotel occupies is a 400 year old convent. Unfortunately it also has (near!) 400 year old plumbing, and as a result an entire floor was closed due to a recent water damage problem.
No.
They transferred us to their 4 star sister hotel (Hotel Imperiale) on Via Venetto, which is a pretty glam district nearby. We were also invited to join them for breakfast overlooking the fountain. When we arrived at the other hotel, they upgraded us to a superior room - which had a Jacuzzi. Score.
Our view at breakfast...recognize the hunchback?
The food nearby (we lived on gelatto and pizza) was awesome, as Brad hooked into a fantastic pizzeria which we ate at 7 times. Below is Anette devouring the shrimp pizza she ordered.
One of the interesting places we stopped at was Bocca Della Veritas (Mouth of Truth). Legend says that if you lie to the head while your hand is in the mouth, it will clamp down on it. Some truth was added to this threat by one of the priests at the church next door. He hid behind the sculpture with a scorpion, and distributed his own unique brand of justice.
Anette still hasn't regained the full use of her right hand, but in time...(picture taken seconds before incident).
Rome has a series of 'where have you been all my life' Archeological museums.
A cult to Athena erected a 12 foot tall sculpture made entirely made of ivory, gold and glass. Centuries later, it was stolen, and the less valuable ivory parts discarded. They were found and sold illegally to collectors. In the spirit of 'It belongs in a museum!', a lot of rich old man tail was kicked and the mask returned to the state.
Probably the most secure area I've seen in a museum - surpassing the mona lisa. Ten people allowed in at a time, two layers of glass, laser lenses motion sensors and a guard conveyed that they did not want it dissapearing again.
In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries the 'barbarian horde' was a huge threat to Rome's security, so this powerful and successful general's sarcophagus features a relief of some serious barbarian beatings by the Roman Army.
Some old guy playing frisbee golf.
This room looks boring, but these are the brass fittings and railings of a 'floating party platform' built for an emperor. Loaded up with wine, food, ladies and the top rungs of Roman society, they would be floated out in the middle of the lake for some entertaining. Check out the ornate railing to keep some of the more inebriated senators from pitching themselves over the side.
One battery pack, digital camera, ink jet printer, Trevi Fountain and you have yourself a business.
This was a brief (very brief!) overview of our stay here - as we have lots more pictures and stories to tell when we get back.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are up next (Via Naples...aka Mobster town).
posted by Brad and Anette at 3:02 AM
2 Comments:
Rome, awesome. But off to Pompeii and Herculaneum? A dream come true. When I was little I had this great book on Vesuvius with emphasis on Herculaneum, and I read it a billion times. Exactly one billion.
Take LOTS of pictures! Make sure you get one of the "Cave Canem" mosaic in Pompeii! That's one mean lookin' dog.
You have unusual friends...I remember reading about Vesuvius when I was really little too. Gave me nightmares for a month!
Your photos are wonderful and the prose descriptive. You both know how to put on the miles and from the look of your photos, you hit the hilights and then some.
What luck with your hotel in Rome...If that had been us, the Imperiale would have been overbooked and we'd have been moved to a basement closet at their sister hotel, the Fontana!
I heard Brad that your Mom had a fainting spell when she read your directions for crossing the street in Rome. Went against everything she's been teaching you all these years!!
Keep your eyes out for Tony...I hear he visits Napels in the Summer.
Luv from Kansas
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