7/21/08
For our last morning in Rome we had to get some shopping done for Bobby's many, many siblings. We got up early only to find out that very few shops open before 10 or 11. What a nice life the Romans lead! We decided to make the touristy decision to toss coins in the Trevi Fountain. Supposedly if you do so it will insure your return to Rome. Unfortunately, my first toss missed but I was able to get my next two coins in. Bobby has interpreted this to mean that the next time I try to come I won't quite make it but I will the next two times after that.
We returned to our apartment to pick up our bags, return our key and get our deposit back from Francesco. Side Note: Francesco, although soft-spoken and seemingly shy, apparently had no problem chatting up girls because during out weeklong stay he had at least three different overnight visitors. One, we only saw the heels sitting in the hallway. The second was let in on our way to dinner after Francesco had given us each a glass of wine in what seemed like an attempt to make us stay out late. The third, introduced herself to Bobby as "Angela, from Canada" on his way to the bathroom one morning. It was very funny and each morning we would leave his place giggling over that morning's awkward encounter with our host's one-night stands.
We then hopped the train from Rome to Florence. We were both exhausted as Rome had really taken a lot out of us from the walking, heat, and sheer quantity of sights to see. I think Bobby was mildly disapointed that he didn't see everything he wanted to but we really had a wonderful time. The city was absolutely beautiful and it seemed like you could explore it for years and years and still stumble upon a new church, and interesting antiquities market, another delicious delicacy or beautiful view. I know that for both of us it will be a constant attempt for the rest of our lives to return to this city. For now we will simply have to rely on the many pictures and stories we have gathered to continue to remind us of the Roman way of life and the way we felt while living there.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Post-Apocalyptic Rome
7/20/08
Since it was a Sunday we figured that the only appropriate thing to do was to church hop. So we went to St. Ivo (closed despite the sign displaying their apparently incorrect opening hours), Il Gesu (which we caught Mass at but because we know neither Italian or Latin barely understood although Bobby could decipher what part they were at by what the people were doing) and then up to the Quirinale (Bernini decorated this one) and then to Bobby's favorite, Quattro Fontagna. It was done by Borromini and features an oval-shaped dome instead of a circular one. It is quite a small church but it is all white inside and is definitely the most tastefully designed of all the churches we have seen. Bobby got some absolutely awesome shots of the sun coming in through the windows at the top.
After the church we grabbed a quick bite from a student-geared cafe recommended by our guide book. Because we had the book in our hands they gave us free drinks and potato chips. We ate our lunch in the park that sits on top of the ruins of Nero's Golden House. There appeared to be some sort of Mexican or Spanish soccer tournament taking place as huge families speaking Spanish and grilling carne asada were watching the game being played on the dirt field.
After the Nero Soccer Game Bobby and I ventured out to EUR. EUR is Mussolini's exhibition city and is basically a grouping of wide streets, obelisks, mosaic propaganda and large white futuristic looking buildings. The place was eerily empty and so we ended up filming a short film set in our post-apocalyptic surroundings pretending that any car that passed by was full of vigilante with machine guns. After EUR we ventured out for our final dinner in Rome. Traditionally we had some proscuitto pizza and finished the meal with frutti di bosco and chocolate fondente gelato.
Since it was a Sunday we figured that the only appropriate thing to do was to church hop. So we went to St. Ivo (closed despite the sign displaying their apparently incorrect opening hours), Il Gesu (which we caught Mass at but because we know neither Italian or Latin barely understood although Bobby could decipher what part they were at by what the people were doing) and then up to the Quirinale (Bernini decorated this one) and then to Bobby's favorite, Quattro Fontagna. It was done by Borromini and features an oval-shaped dome instead of a circular one. It is quite a small church but it is all white inside and is definitely the most tastefully designed of all the churches we have seen. Bobby got some absolutely awesome shots of the sun coming in through the windows at the top.
After the church we grabbed a quick bite from a student-geared cafe recommended by our guide book. Because we had the book in our hands they gave us free drinks and potato chips. We ate our lunch in the park that sits on top of the ruins of Nero's Golden House. There appeared to be some sort of Mexican or Spanish soccer tournament taking place as huge families speaking Spanish and grilling carne asada were watching the game being played on the dirt field.
After the Nero Soccer Game Bobby and I ventured out to EUR. EUR is Mussolini's exhibition city and is basically a grouping of wide streets, obelisks, mosaic propaganda and large white futuristic looking buildings. The place was eerily empty and so we ended up filming a short film set in our post-apocalyptic surroundings pretending that any car that passed by was full of vigilante with machine guns. After EUR we ventured out for our final dinner in Rome. Traditionally we had some proscuitto pizza and finished the meal with frutti di bosco and chocolate fondente gelato.
Friday, August 1, 2008
New photos!
Hey everyone,
I wanted to let you all know that we have arrived safely back in Glasgow (one, no, two, no three more flights to go before we get back to Arizona!), and we've decided to take this opportunity to update some photos from our blogs. Peruse and enjoy!
Because we have yet to write about France, Florence, and Berlin, here are three photos from those countries (late posts are coming soon!).
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