i just love how easy it is to navigate around rome. everything is concentrated in the centre of the city that you can walk just about everywhere and anywhere you need to go to. weather-wise: obviously not as cold as here in england. very pleasant in fact, even in the winter. the people are so warm and friendly, and to my surprise, most of them actually speak english. the food? abundant, affordable, and most importantly, nothing like what you get at italian restaurants anywhere else in the world. and i mean in a very very good way.
oh rome. i could go back there again and again and let my troubles float away. i could go back to the trevi fountain and repeatedly be so much in awe of it, just like i was the first time. hold my breath and wonder, how anyone in the world could sculpt something so beautiful. i mean, is it even possible? this question actually comes up so many times while in rome: how is this possible?! from the trevi fountain to the colosseum to the terme di caracalla, all the way to st peter's basilica at the vatican- they keep your mind constantly boggled; how on earth have people from the past been able to construct these with such medieval technology, or even with their bare hands? i am simply amazed.
this is me atop the spanish steps, with the city of Rome in the background.
the colosseum. built 1st century AD. epitome of great roman architecture.
my beautiful fontana di trevi at nightfall, with a cone of gelato in hand. i can sit and watch this all day while i eat cone after cone of gelato!
the remains of the terme di caracalla (roman baths)- magnificently well-preserved and virtually untouched.
the pantheon. didn't think it was particularly great, but worth a visit anyway.
beautiful fountains and piazzas here, there and everywhere. one of the things i really like about rome.
sant eustachio. merv says they serve the best coffee in the world. i personally can't recall what's the best coffee i've tried, but this may actually be it. :)
st peter's square @ the vatican, with the basilica behind.
inside the basilica. if you are not blown away by this, you are made of wood.
in the vatican museum, where they play mind games with you before you actually get to enter the sistine chapel (which, honestly, was quite a letdown- perhaps it was the massive crowd and that they didn't allow us to take pictures in the chapel itself :P). oh well but it was great to finally get to see michaelangelo's creation of adam on the ceiling.
to be fair, i actually really enjoyed the museum despite the constant "Where the hell is the Sistine Chapel" whinings.
what is italy without its pizza. go into any pizza place and you are almost guaranteed a good meal.
and the pasta. ohmygod the pasta. this is the best - THE BEST - spaghetti carbonara i've ever tasted. i don't think i'll ever eat one with cream again.
grappa (italian brandy, 60% alcohol) is really yucky though.
ah, bella roma! i'll definitely make a trip back to rome again. venice, milan, and the italian outskirts await as well!
