Not Enough Seconds In A Day

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It's my last full day in Rome, and contemplating the pub crawl tonight. I don't have to catch an early train, but one of the guys from the hostel is heading to Florence as well and is planning on leaving around 9am. It's not too early, but early enough where I'd be struggling to get out of bed. Still got a little while to decide. I didn't get in everything I wanted to see, but I did get all the big stuff. Sistine Chapel, the Vatican, and St Peter's today made for a full day. Saw the Pope from a distance (didn't find out you had to get a free ticket the day before until late last night). The day was amazing. Some of the facts about the sculptures, paintings, frescoes, etc are ridiculous. Did you know the paintings in St Peter's aren't really paintings? They are mosaics done with OCD-type detail. Did you know that Michaelangelo didn't actually lay on his back to paint the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, he stood and arched his back for 4yrs in an insanely awkward position. Did you know the gatekeeper to Hell depicted on the back wall was done in the likeness of a cardinal (I think) that visited while he was working on it who insulted his paintings because of the nudity? Did you know that Michaelangelo didn't even want to paint the Sistine Chapel? He didn't even like painting, he thought it was an inferior art next to sculpture. Did you know when he was commissioned by the Pope to paint it he was actually working on a number of sculptures for a different location, that are now spread throughout Italy featured in different churches and museums. Etc, etc, etc. Lots of stuff I won't ever remember. But I did manage to get a lot more pics, including some sneak shots in the Sistine Chapel (no pics allowed).

I'll get pics up later, I don't feel like going through them to pick out the good shots. I'm hungry and tired. Mixed feelings about nearing the end of this journey. Only a couple weeks to go, and the majority of the last week is gonna be in London. Only a week left of traveling alone, then it's back to familiar faces. Florence and Venice should be good closing cities for me. I love Rome, but I want to sleep in my own bed again.

Oh yeah, I met some Aussies that are up to host me whenever I get there. So start saving your money if you wanna go, I should be able to get us a place to stay in a few different cities! Maybe 2010.

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Photos

Trevi Fountain during the day
not quite the same when there's sunlight, but still impressive. see the people on the far right for perspective of how massive this thing is.

1 pc granite colums at the Pantheon
stolen from the Egyptians. naughty Romans.

detail of one of Bernini's fountains
forget what you heard, Bernini was the most important artist in Rome's history. His work is everywhere. Unfortunately, his most famous fountain was undergoing restoration and covered by scaffolding.

His Holiness
the little white clad figure in the middle. FYI - if you want to get in close, you need to get a free ticket the day before. I didn't know that.

stop it. no photos allowed.
i figured a lot of you guys might not ever make it out, so i wanted to share.

fine, take a picture. whatever, shimmy, shimmy.
this room seriously floored me. if i was a girl i woulda cried. i could have stayed in there for the rest of my stay in Europe.

Michelangelo's Pieta
now behind bulletproof glass because a crazy (Spaniard, i think) got so upset it was better than one from his own country he attacked it with a hammer and started knocking off chunks. some onlookers grabbed pieces as they flew around the church and took them home as original Michelangelo souvenirs. most were returned after the church pleaded with the sticky-fingered fans to bring them back to their rightful place.

in St Peter's Basilica
not a cathedral.

Comments

[DZ]

Rome Factoids
Did you know that it took 25 years of apprenticeship to become a Mosaic Master? Did you know Rome use to be a lot cheaper when it was still using the Lira? Did you know you're not allowed to take pics of the Sistine Chapel so they could sell you postcards of it for 5euro? Well I'm not sure if that last one is true, but it sounds true. Great job getting pics of the Sistine Chapel. That place definitely is awe-inspiring. I can feel you about sleeping in your own bed. After awhile you get "jaded traveler" syndrome. Where you've seen enough buildings, museums, and sites that almost nothing impresses you. But this is something most people only talk about and you actually get to do it before....errr when you're 30. I know travel days are the worst, but for some reason when I look back, those were some of the best times. Sitting on a train/plane headed to a new place with nothing but your thoughts in your head and your life on your back. Some people never get to experience that feeling of freedom. Safe travels.