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Published: July 16th 2006
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Pretty in pantaloons'
Good catholic boys from Switzerland Hi all!
Am currently in Rome, slightly pissed as I write. Having fantastic time. Met a Romanian girl shortly after arriving and we did loads of sightseeing together. Was fun. Just been for a pizza and some beers. VERY friendly waiter if you k now what i mean. Asked if I was Miss or Mrs then proceeded to tell me I was a 'sweet girl'. Hmm. Pissed girl more like! Haha!
Think Rome could possibly be the most beautiful city I've been to. There are no ugly bits. Not like London where you can have a beautiful street then some 60s monstrosity sandwhiched in.
I arrived midday on Sat - met up with this Romanian girl who was looking as lost as me. Sightseeing on the first day was kind of surreal as we kept on ending up at the colleseum - made me think of the island in Lost! - keep ending up there like some kind of vortex. WAs alot of traipsing that day for some ruins in the dizzying heat. Wondered why it was so quiet - Italians far too sensible to march around mid day. Had that song - Mad dogs and Englishmen running around my head.
Today got up really early - wolfed breakfast at hotel as included. Loads of yanks here. Is really nice hotel actually and I was glad I booked as apparantly no rooms in teh city as Bob Dylan conert. Anyway met Ranaluca (the Romanian) and headed of to Plaza de Spagnia. A kind of boat waterfall at the foot of some steps and a grandiose building.
Then to vatican. We were there very early which was great as it was heaving later. Saw the Swiss Guards. They've been guarding popes for centuries and havenàt changed their outfit. Stripy panaloon affair with matching socks and shoes. We tried to get a photo with them but they only allowed children.
Basilica of St Peter was pretty amazing as expected. First we went right to the top, via a spiral staircasae which led out onto a terrace from where you could see all of Rome. At the top of the stairs you could also turn inwards and onto a kind of gallery overlooking the Basillica below. They were in the middle of mass and singing. So we raced down trying to catch the last of mass, whizzed past the popes crypt - took a couple of photos en route. Will have to read up on that. Basilica inside is a massive space with lots of little chapels around the edge. There was a sculpture by Michaelangelo. Massive central thingy - golden columns with a doo-da on the top. I think statues were involved. Yes statues everywhere. Went to mass but then left early. The vatican guards told everyone before not to take photos. Almost everyone was good but then it was spoilt by the Japanese who went on a bit of a paparzzi-style photo frenzy - flashing the procession of cardinals and priests and making them wince. Twats.
Then went to a round castle nearby. Forgot the name. Ranaluca left for her bus and I went on. It was originally commissioned by Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself but other people were buried there too. Funerary urns and so on were adorning the sloping pathway inside. I think it was used as a prison at some point too. There was one cell that had a bit of a gap in the window (the others were sealed) so I had a peek and to my surprise saw my own face - they'de put a mirror in there! Lots of frescoes, statues etc. Big statue of an angel with metal winges Absolutely amazing view from the top across Rome. By then it was pretty damn hot and the air was hazy and shimmering with heat. I'd forgotten my sunglasses (in hotel) and couldnàt bear it long up there as the floor was pale too making it was so damn bright you had to close one eye and squint with the other just to not fry your brain with too much light. One poor kid was crouching in an alcove to escape the sun. I'd seen him earlier and noted that his mother was bitch. Seeing him almost passed out there confirmed it. Just as I was wondering whetehr to intervene she allowed him toleave. POor kid. Anyway I took the obligitory panoramic photos and escaped.
Sistine chapel was closed today as it's Sunday, which seems to me a poor day to close a chapel, but there you go. I traipsed up in the punishing mid-day heat only to find the Vatican museums were closed too.
You know it's true Italians love children. You see it everywhere. It's like they glow when they talk to small children and always want to give them gifts. I watched a little thing unfold while I was resting in the shade by the castle. A stallholder was trying to make a braclet out of tape for a little African boy, which wasn't really working so he gave him one of his new t shirts instead and then was positively beaming with happiness as the kid skipped off.
Decided to walk back to the hotel over a bridge. Lots of very impressive satues on this bridge (next to the castlw) I also visited a big famous square. Bugger. Canàt remember any names. Will fill in later. Anyway it was very impressive - three fountains. churches. Statues of men wrestling with serpants (called "the moor"). An egyptian obelisk. I was pretty wiped out by then went to thing beginning the Parthenon. Was a roman temple - now a church. appareanly the only intact building from Ancient Roman times. TShame one pope had ripped out a lot of the original bronze roof inside to make something else (I think the dome of Basilica of St Peter). They had all these sighns ouside about treating the place with respect - no photos etc. But inside was a jamboree. Wasn't at all like a church. I mean phyically it wasnàt that different apart from the fact it was circular. but the main thing was it was flooded with tourists, taking photos, no respect, making a huge din. reminded me of that scene it the bible when jesus goes into the temple and tips over the tabes because theyuàre all being disrespectful. I think I actually preferred the quiet of the less well known churches - there was more atmosphere and peace. The acoustics of the Parthenon didn't help - ampliphied the noise somewhat. Anyway I was so apalled by the whole jamboree type thing gong on there (there were even people lying on their backs to take photos -it felt about as sacred as the stock exchange) that I decided to take a photo, not of the Parthenon, but of the spectacle in general. I wish i could upload it here but I got a classic - fat american woman in shorts waddling out of the door, she was with a whole troop of like minded people. I mean who wears shorts in a church for God's sake! I'd just had the idea of such a photo when I saw them and thought perfect! I lauged and took the photo. when I reviewed it I saw that her chum was looking right at me and glaring angrily haha! Perhaps I wasn't as subtle as I'd thought!!
Saw amazing fountain with horses and men. Was really spectacular. Wasn't expecting to come across that. Again will fill in names later. Managed to leave my maps in a shop and went back for it later and there was an old bat there who wouldnàt help. She was a right old cow. Luckily I managed to find the man who served me and he found it. Old people can be so poisonous sometimes -right cantacerous old witch she was!:Anyway I got it back which was good as I was disproportionatley upset about losing my maps.
Then headed off towards gaerdiniare or something like it. Ended up going the wrong way wchich ws good as I saw lots ofò thingt I woulnàt have otherwise - a garden and some kind of palace with guards along the side then at the front big plaza, huge fountain with statues across from the main palace entrance with some pot-bellied police. Unfortunatley my battery had run out as I saw the perfect profile shot of the one policeman. I was a bit lost by then but there werw some otehr police floating around who were very friendly.
Anyway, now Iàm off to bed. Absolutely knackered. Tomorrow Sistine chapel, Vatican museum and Borgeas house.
Hope all is well in Blighty!
Love Dom x
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Trout
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Ahoy Green me hearty!
Sounds like a grand time, very jealous. I lived in Rome for 6 weeks. My party tip - go to the Spanish Steps at night and hang out, it gets pretty lively. Also theres a lovely lake outside at Castel Gandolfo which is the Popes summer hangout. How long are you away. Are you back for Love Tent? Trout x