Roma-Simply the Best

Aside from my hostel experience, Roma was fantastic.

I wanted to see and do as much as possible and I think I came about as close as one could. I arrived in Roma late Thursday night and was planning to depart on Sunday evening. This gave me 2 full days to do everything.

On the first full day, Friday, I walked a whole lot. I saw the Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, Arch of Constantine, Spanish Steps, Forum, Pantheon, several cathedrals, and numerous other sites I cannot recall right now.

Seeing all of these in person was just crazy. Especially since I studied most in Art History class in High School. (What up Ms. Metz) To sit down and just stare at these works was unreal. It was amazing to see them on half visible, slanted, sort of fuzzy slides but this, this was something else.

Each site had its attraction. For example, the Trevi Fountain was so unique because of the sculptures and how they were connected with the water. The flow of water added a certain beauty to the overall work which made it very nice.

The Coliseum was just cool. I mean to think about what took place inside just screams power and aggresion. The structure is obviously not what it used to be but nevertheless, still great. Its like when you first went to your favorite ballpark or coolest stadium and you kept saying 'this place is amazing. How did the do this?' But with the Coliseum, its 12x more impressive.

The Arch of Constantine is very interesting because some of the scultpures and works on the Arch were apparently stolen from other rulers, such as Hadrian, at the time it was constructed. Every part of the arch has something going on and I walked around numerous times to absorb it all.

I forgot the Pantheon was in Roma and it was my darkhorse of the trip in the sense that I never thought it would have been that cool and impressive but I was wrong. The upper half of the building is a perfect half of a circle. I mean perfect. Seriously. It is nuts to just stare up and see how well made it is and contemplate how they did it.

The Spanish Steps were pretty but they were, afterall, just steps. It seemed like a cool place to hangout with friends. I'm not too sure what makes them Spanish but if you know, tell me. The street that was at the bottom of the steps was nice and had lots of different stores and eateries.

The cathedrals we went to were very impressive in that the artowork inside was incredible. Sure I expected some depictions fo Mr. JC but I'm talking about some serious frescoes and even the ceilings decked out. I never thought any cathedrals would have so much detail but was happy to see that they do.

The next day, Saturday, I went to the Vatican Museum and saw some of the most impressive works in my life. This was up there with the first time I had bacon as well as the one off the hook party in high school or college where EVERTHING went your way.

I only waited in line for an hour even though at first it seemed as if it would take 3 to 4. There were charming and handsome Austrailian men who were going up and down the line telling people the wait would be 4 hours but you go with them now and get right in. The catch was that it would cost you an additional 25 Euro. Huge rip off. Just bring an Ipod or start yukking it up with the person in front or behind you in line. It does get hot standing in line so bring a hat, some water, and something for the back of your neck.

Once inside the museum there is numerous works ranging from maps of old Italia to battles in the 11th century. Although everything was delightful, my two favorite were the room of Raphael and The Sistine Chapel.

I did not know that The School of Athens, likely Raphael's most famous work, was in the Vatican Museum and was utterly taken back when I saw it. It is truly hard to describe and believe that work of art can do this to someone but when you see it in person, it just blows you away. (What up to my boy Will H.- he wasn't an Art History fan but even a knuckle-cracking, word-slanging econ major can appreciate true beauty)

I am not sure I have words for the Sistine Chapel and will not do it an injustice by going on and on about it. To think that one man was able to do this, is just out of this world. Every section, every individual work has a detailed story behind it. You can see the time and effort and energy that was exerted in each person and it is truly amazing. I will say that I was very discuoraged by the amount of photographs people were taking. It clearly states, prior to entering as well as once inside that no pictures are allowed. There is even 6 men who patrol the area making sure people do not take photos. However, few people obeyed. Everywhere you turned there were people flashing away and after being confronted would give that nod and say 'ok' only to begin snapping again.

All the flashing and taking of pictures does damage to the work. There is part of the chapel that has not been restored at all and it is jet black. You are able to see what restoration has done and without it we would only visit the Chapel to be in the presence of such work. I cannot believe that people were so selfish and do not, or chose not to understand that if everyone continues to disobey and take pictures, the Sistine Chapel will only be visible in books and the internet.

I also feel that pictures could not even do the Chapel justice. Its one of those things that even when you show others you are going to say 'but you gotta go see it in person. you just have to'

I also went to Saint Peter's Square but did not enter the Vatican itself. I was able to see the Vatican from the outside and was content with doing so.

My last and final day consisted of going to A.S. Roma's first home soccer game of the year. GO CRAZY.

The squad has a plyer by the name of Francesco Totti who is basically the equivalent of Michael Jordan. Everyone knows him and everyone loves him. I had the luxury of sitting rather close to the visiting team's (A.C. Sienna) fan section. The Sienna section was blocked off to Roma fans but I could still see them and hear them clearly. Every single time Sienna fans began to cheer the Roma fans would start booing or whistling as to drown them out. After every goal Roma scored there would be a heard of people who would run to the fence that seperated them and start swearing and making obscene, yet comical gestures. You had mothers and fathers who were with their children 7 or 10 year olds swearing and motioning to their um, how do you say, southern hemishpere's without apprehension. Nobody cared about anything at the game and it was sweet. They were there to root for the team. Anything else was fair game.

That concluded my Roma trip. I was off to Sienna and Pisa for two days to have a more quiet, less touristy vacation.

I have only one word to describe what I saw in Roma: Wow.