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Italys flagPublished: October 3rd 2007Europe » Italy » Lazio » Rome
June 15th 2001

The Italian Soccer Championship
I've never lived in a city that won a major sports championship, like the Super Bowl or World Series; but I've seen the celebrations on TV. Usually, a there are huge, almost riotous celebrations in the streets all night long. The next day, the city sends people out to clean up; and it's all over. Well, two full weeks before we arrived in Rome, the Rome soccer team won the Italian championship earning them the right to compete for the European championship. Even though their victory was two weeks old, there were still huge, unorganized human parades celebrating in the streets every night. They drank wine, sang Italian soccer fight songs, and waved huge soccer flags. This was so remarkable to Chris and I that we decided to join them. We sang songs that we didn’t understand and waved flags honoring the Roman team. We even stayed an extra day to go to a huge, organized celebration that they were holding in the Circus Maximus. It was great!

History and Art
There’s a ton of amazing art and history to be found in this city. The Sistine Chapel is, in my opinion, the most remarkable work
Gladiators?Gladiators?
Gladiators?

These two burly gladiators were fighting to the death when we visited the Coliseum. Boy, they sure look familiar?!?!
of human art on this planet. It’s amazing. St. Peter’s Basilica is also breath taking. Then there’s the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and so much more. There’s even a “secret” key hole in a certain gate through which you can look and see three countries at the same time.

Advice For Rome
Go to all the touristy things early - especially the Sistine Chapel.
No tank tops or shorts are allowed in St. Peter’s.



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Tony E.
Welcome Everyone! For those of you I have not yet met, my name is Tony. I am the proud father of several wonderful kids, and the lucky husband of my beautiful, caring wife, Laura. Biologically we have two lovely daughters and one rowdy son, Jaeden (7), Selah (5) and Elijah (1). We are or have been the foster parents of four beautiful young ladies: Summer (17), Tiffany (17), Nikki (16), and Jenai (15). These girls have been such a wonderful blessing in our lives. I am currently a computer programmer for Liberty University, but in the past I have work as a paratrooper in the Army in Ir... full info
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Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI establis...more info

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Centurian on Cell PhoneCenturian on Cell Phone
Centurian on Cell Phone

These guys sit outside the Coliseum and other tourist sites and take pictures with tourists for a fee.
The Secret KeyholeThe Secret Keyhole
The Secret Keyhole

One of the smallest countries in the world start on the other side of the gate through which I was looking and ends at the end of the hedge row that you see in the picture. It's hard to make out in the picture, but St. Peter's is visible in the distance and perfectly framed by the hedges. It's really a remarkable sight.
Street CelebrationStreet Celebration
Street Celebration

Chris and I joined in with gusto dressed only in our soccer flags.
Sistine Chapel 2Sistine Chapel 2
Sistine Chapel 2

This portion is know as "The Creation of Man"
Sistine Chapel 3Sistine Chapel 3
Sistine Chapel 3

The whole back wall is know as "The Last Judgement"
St. Peter's - Painter's PantsSt. Peter's - Painter's Pants
St. Peter's - Painter's Pants

We had to borrow painter's pants from someone at St. Peter's to wear over our shorts so that we could go in one at a time. Noitice the surprised look on the face of the goofy guy next to Chris. He's just realizing that he can't get in with shorts on.
The Pieta in St. Peter'sThe Pieta in St. Peter's
The Pieta in St. Peter's

This is an amazing marble scupture by Michelangelo that almost seems to glow with it's own light. It depicts the crucified Christ in his grieving mother's arms.
Don't Tell a LieDon't Tell a Lie
Don't Tell a Lie

The legend is that if you tell a lie while your hand is in the mouth of this sculpture, it will bite your hand off. As you can see I wasn't entirely truthful.






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