Roman time

The catalyst of the Empirial age, if you visit Italy it's a sight that cannot be missed. There is history, there is blood, there are sights beyond belief, everything you could want in a city...wrapped up into a place they call Rome.

Once again I have my seperate little sights to visit outside of the norm. They consist of "the House of Monsters" and "The museum of the souls of the dead". When I listed them out to the reception guy for their addresses he sure gave me a funny look.

So time for this leg of the journey...off to see the house of monsters.

However, once I arrive, I'm not only greated by a grotesque looking face, but also unfortunate news...closed for renovation...yippeee. Oh well, it was close to the Spanish Steps, so that was a bonus.



Next stop...museum of the souls of the dead...well...turns out the church that its in...ya not open on the weekends...yipeeeeeeee. Even better. Guess that just means...they want me to see more of Rome.



Off I go...into the heart of Old Rome. Where the ruins are a plenty, and its as if you can see the forms of previous life emerging from the reckage. It's more of a sensation of awe then anything else I could describe. I just stood there, gazing for ages...star struck with what lay before me. I kept thinking to myself...holy cow...I'm in Rome.



The most photos I've ever taking during my journey...here in Rome.



The most pictures of one single place...that brings me to the coolest and most outstanding building I've ever layed eyes on...the COLLOSEUM.



Once a homage of death and destruction, housing fifty thousand people, this fully man made structure at one time was surrounded by marble, had a retractable wood roof, and was covered with a wooden floor, pounds of sand or even better, turned into a lake to have water battles. Pretty intense.



Ever since the Louvre, I've been very skeptical about tours, but I'm sure glad I decided to take one here. Now the guy wasn't the best at speaking english, but he got the main points across, and that was enough for me.



I actually tried asking if I could apply for a position as a tour guide at the Colloseum. Unfortunately, the english speaking head guy was gone for the day...well maybe another time they'll get lucky for that free chance.

Exiting the Colloseum, I was sucked into this enormous ruckus of people...turns out there was a huge political ralley going on...super. Me and some others check out the thousands of people showing their support for democracy...well we sure wouldn't see this in Canada...unless they were giving out free beer.



That night after we returned to the hostel, after a long day of sight seeing, we all started discussing the Colloseum. One of the guys pipped up and suggested we watch Gladiator...now what a good suggestion. Being at the Colloseum and seeing that movie...absolute perfect combination.



To my surprise I've been running into special dates perfectly...Rome was no different.

The last Sunday of every month, the Sistene Chapel and museum are free entrance to all, which was perfect for my budget, but that wasn't all. This very day at noon, the Pope...yes I said that correctly the Pope was giving a speech.



So there I stand in the mayhem of people in St. Peters square watching this little man dressed all in White give a twenty minute speech. This was a once in a lifetime experience...and I was there...this just blew my mind.



Now of course I really couldn't get close enough to get a good picture, but boy oh boy...was that every something.



After the crowd dispersed, we entered a two and a bit line up, for what we thought was the Sistene Chapel, turns out...it was for the Basilica. This wasn't a bad thing, because the Basilica is enormously huge and spectacular. Jammed packed with goodies stolen from the crusades as well as the graves of all the Popes.



Sadly, once we figured out the mistake, it was too late to go to the Sistene Chapel...it had already closed. Well...looks like I'm coming back to Rome.

Still all was not lost. I was able to see the Pope, the Basilica and of course...the silly looking Swiss Guards.



Finally, since it was my last night in Rome we all decided to take in the sights at night. They're all beautiful at all hours of the day, however nightime just makes it seem that much more impressive.

We saw the Pathenon



and of course the Colloseum...just one last time.



Leaving the Colloseum, I gazed one last time appon this utterly magnificient building, vowing sooner or later, I will return.



Rome was complete, and while I was sitting waiting for my flight to Athens I felt nothing, but happiness. Unfortunately...happiness isn't supposed to itch this much. I look down on my left arm...ohhhhh great...little red marks.