I visit more old things

So this past weekend, I was left all alone in my apartment as all of my roommates left me. Rachel and Annie visited Paris, while Francesca spent the weekend with her Dad in Venice at Carnevale. Jealous on both accounts. However, I visited more old and formerly important things. What is this you may ask yourself? It wasn't the Colosseum or the Forum (again; though it did cross my mind, but my dwindling bank account stopped me.) but the Appian Way! The Appia Antica was the main trading/travel route out of ancient Rome to just about the rest of the Empire. So given that I was all alone, I waited until Sunday because it was nice, and I packed myself a nice little lunch of peanut butter and nutella cracker sandwiches, some bread and a clementine, got my camera, ipod and sunglasses and headed on my way. I had looked at how to get there vaguely but was just going to wing it. The first bus I had to take took me out to the verge of nowhere and I just kinda walked til I found the stop where I needed to take the next bus. Well when I looked at the sign, it appeared that there was no such bus (the 714) running on sundays. Just my luck. Here was when I considered giving up and just going to Colosseum and doing some reading that I have neglected to do for the past 2 months... (School doesn't count here but don't tell anyone.) However, my small adventurous fiber was in full control and I thought if nothing else I could walk there (it was only 8 stops and I didn't think it could have been that bad given that I took 12 to get to the 714 stop. I was wrong). Fortunately I walked to the next stop where I saw a 714 going the other direction. Saved. I took the 714 now 7 stops and thank god I did. It was not a short way. And it was hilly. I viewed this as a sign that things were going to be fine.
So I got off at the stop I was supposed to right by the Aurelian wall was and I also saw this as a sign that I was going in the right direction (the Aurelian wall was built in the 300's AD and encompassed the city of Rome. Safety precaution. It's rather imposing.) However, I walked the wrong way (left instead of right. typical.) and walked around in a circle. Down the street to the left, crossed the street, walked back up, took a right down a different street, walked back up before I decided to follow some other touristy looking people. I walked along the wall until I saw the signs that said Appia Anitca. It was about a 7 min walk. To the right. Not the left. And I even had it written down in my notebook.

This was another clue that I was in the right place. This was one of the gates to get through to the city. It would make sense that this would be at the end of the Appian Road. Its called the Porta San Sebastiano.

Anyway. I started walking down the appian way and once again I wanted to turn around because it took awhile to find anything that looked older then a hundred years. The road was all cobble stones but the buildings were like barns and small dirty snack places basically. However, I carried and lo and behold I found some more tourists! There were periodic groups that passed me the other way so that was also good. I walked through this gate and up a path that cut through a field. The actual Appian way went slightly to the left but at this point I was feeling extremely adventurous (and the left had failed me before) so I went straight. It was beautiful. The pathway was along the top of this hill so you could see for mile(s) all around.

I walked for probably about a mile and came across the Catacombs of San Callisto. I don't who that was or what it was but according my guide book, its 20km of tunnels of tombs, including 16 popes. Wild. I didn't go in because I only had 20 euro and I was saving that in case I had to pay for a taxi or something. God only knows. The road was lined with the skinny cypress trees and the sun was out and I was having a great time.

I then found a church that I wen in (someone told me to go into every church I found). Given there wasn't much else around I went it. I again read my book and It was the Basilica di San Sebastiano as well as the catacombs, but they were closed. It was pretty cool. He was apparently killed by arrows and it said that the arrows were in the church but I didn't see them (I stopped back in on my way back). It also said that the foot prints of Jesus were there as well. Also not found.

After I left I walked down the road some more and took in more of the countryside. There was sign that said that the Mausoleo di Romolo. So naturally I assumed Romulus. The founder of Rome. I almost started crying on the spot. However it was not that Romulus. It was the son of Maxentius. Who was an emperor in the 300's AD. much past the first Romulus. So sad. Nonetheless I continued on for a while and passed several villas and such (new/only retirement plan: get a villa on the appian way. rent whenever Im not there. WIN). I eventually decided to turn around after I thought there was not much else, which there wasn't.
So I walked all the way back, past the Basilica (where I went back in), past the catacombs and through the field and back out the gate and up the appian way once more. I made it back to the 714 bus and took it back to termini and went home. All in all I walked about 10 miles and got a nice glow on my face. Needless to say I was pretty tired. Fortunately, roommates were home and I was no longer living alone!
This weekend I'm going to Paris to see Gretchen and Adam!!!! SO MUCH WINNING. I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see their facessss in real life. wahhhhhhh and the Eiffel tower, Louvre etc etc etc...............

The family comes to Rome: Part 5

In the final installment of the family trip saga, we ventured to the Vatican on their last full day, Friday. i have never been to the Vatican and it was quite something. We took some touristy pictures in the piazza in front including in the spot in the round part of the piazza, near the one fountain, where the back pillars disappear behind the front ones.

We went into the Basilica and it was huge! I mean I knew that it was big but actually being inside was wild. There were statues to some of the popes and they were pretty cool. Above the alter in the dome, you can see the people that are climbing to the top and they look so small! It doesn't look like it's that high up but the letters of the inscription that are underneath them are 6 feet tall and the people just look so small! Since we got up late, we skipped the catacombs and went straight to the Museums. I have to say they have a most impressive collection. Though I think all that money could have been spent in a different, better-for-humanity way, but we're going to keep that can of worms closed. I want to go back because they have the most amazing collection of ancient Greek and Roman statues. I could spend hours in those rooms but I was hurried along in the name of Raphael and the Sistine Chapel. Though not before I saw the coolest statues ever. Just about made my life.

Hello Apollo

This one was under restoration or something so this was all you could see and it was upsetting. Though this mostly all that matters. ITS JUST SO GREAT (It Perseus after he cut off the head of Medusa.) Just inside was more statues that were similar including ones representing Hercules, Claudius, Hera, Socrates, and Dionysus. This was when I was hurried along. Raphael's rooms were pretty cool too. I like knowing the history behind the paintings more then I think the paintings themselves but they were pretty awesome. In the last room, on the ceiling there was a painting of a marble statue that had fallen and broken and where it would have stood was a gold cross. Talk about a slap in the face the paganism. I understand being upset over being oppressed but that's a little harsh. Especially when it came to their oppression over other people. Again we're not going to open up this debate. The Sistine Chapel was also awesome. I don't know what I thought it was going to be but I guess something different. At first I thought it was rather small but the more I looked at just how much painting there was, it was alot to take in. Especially when I thought about laying on my back for 4 years or so to do the ceiling. I think I would get very tired of it. I would have to start sleeping standing up for variety. We had a book that told us all about it so I read about what it all meant so that was lovely to feel educated. We stayed there until they kicked us out to close the museum and then we kept getting shooed out of the gift shop. Rude. It's there for a reason...
We went back to their apartment before our final dinner near their apartment. I think I had the best gnocchi I've ever had that night. It was melt in your mouth mashed potatoes in a smooth red sauce. I want to go back just to have the gnocchi. SO GOOD.
The next morning I had to say good bye and it was strange and sad! I'm not going to see them for another 3 months. I mean there's skype but still. :( Lucky them though got to ride in a Mercedes.
After they all left, I spent the weekend recovering and catching up on sleep. It was much needed because we walked so much while they were here! Wish they could come back (I know they do too hehe)

The family comes to Rome: Part 4

This next part was one of my favorite parts because lets be serious it's my favorite place in Rome. On Wednesday, I only had class in the morning, so after we went to the Colosseum and the Forum. It was insanely windy that day which was unfortunate because it would have been a great day without the wind. It was pretty nice in the sun but there's only so much sun to go around. We spent awhile in the Colosseum and I enlightened them with all my wisdom. We mad our way over to the Forum, but not before I had to buy a sweatshirt because my north face was just not cutting it in the wind. I have to say, one of the best purchases my dad has made. I mean there are definitely other ones that were better, but at the time the competition was slim.
Again in the Forum, I taught them everything I knew and we had a great time. I even picked up a rock that was most definitely part of something important... maybe. We got to see the view of the forum from the gardens above on the Palatine hill but we didn't get to see the rest of the Palatine hill. Which I think is fine. You've seen one ancient roman imperial palace you've seen them all..? The forum was better either way.
We went to dinner at this place in Trastevere which was pretty good if I do say so. They had some really good fried artichokes which have become a reoccurring theme on the trip. We had a nice night just the fam. Anne apparently loves chocolate mousse because she misses camp. Nostalgia. who would've guessed.
The next day I had class all day and dad had to go to Naples (his one day talk paid for part of the trip. yay for business expenses!) Anne and Mom went sploring again this time to the Trevi and around. Mostly they just wanted to see the Spanish steps. They had been working on a puzzle of it all during the snow that kept them home bound for a while so naturally they wanted to see it in real life. Anne met a nice boys soccer team and has a picture with all of them. atta girl. never been prouder. That night Francesca joined us for dinner and we went to the Jewish ghetto to this great place. We had fried artichokes alla Guidea, which are the ones we've been having all along and are so good. We also tried these artichokes that were covered in batter then fried. They were also fabulous. That was a great dinner. They gave us free dessert and the waiter made a joke about dad being bald. All in all a great night.
Francesca, Anne and I went to get chocolate shots after wards. They were pretty freaking good. They are actually just chocolate shot glasses, with a small amount of liquor (like baileys or rum) with chocolate syrup poured in and then whipped cream on top. Generally there are sprinkles and other goodies on top. Francesca got one with Cayenne pepper on top and she said it was great. Her friend Eli had one when he was here visiting and highly suggested it. Anne and I had the regular baileys ones. Always a good choice. The three of us just went to a small bar and had a beer and watched some music videos that they were playing. It still boggles my mind how much they love Katy perry here. It was a great night. So many great nights I can't handle them all.
Up next: The trip comes to a close with the Vatican :(

The family comes to Rome: Part 3

In part 3, we accomplish much touristy activity. Monday, after we returned from Florence, I had class all day and wasn't able to spend the day with them. Mom and Anne walked around Trastevere; they found a cool over look place where they had a good view of Rome. They also found a great looking restaurant that we went to later on in the week. Monday night we had dinner with Rachel, her parents, her sister and Francesca at one of our favorite places, Retro. ummm yummmmm. It was a great night we all had a fabulous meal together. The parents really bonded. After dinner, Anne, Rachel, Leah, Annie andAnnie's friend and I went out for our friend Jack's birthday. It was a good night; Anne got to meet and hang out with alot of the people in my program. Super. We shared my small bed. It was rough. We can barely sleep in the same bed when it's a queen. Twin bed is hard.
The next morning we met the parents and Dad's good friend Dr. Bucci for a day of touring. Dr. Bucci lives very close to the Trevi fountain and he showed around for quite awhile. After we took pictures at the Trevi fountain we walked to the Pantheon. It also was much nicer in the sunlight rather then the dismal gray.

Dr. Bucci took us into a church, San Luigi dei Francesi, the church of Saint Louis of the French because inside the church, there are several Caravaggio paintings.  (Caravaggio was a important Baroque painter). The one was being restored but it was still able to see one of them, naturally I took a picture.

The Inspiration of Saint Matthew

It was a beautiful church; there was so much gold detailing in the ceiling and on the walls, it was unreal. It made me excited to see the Vatican and Saint Peter's. I imagined it the same only about 439785304 times bigger. Though I think that it is my favorite church that I've been in so far. And I never would have found that on my own, that's for sure. We went to Piazza Navona after. The only time I've been there was at night a few weeks ago and seeing it during the day was great. It was beautiful; the water was so blue. They have to paint the bottom because the water that comes out of my faucet does not look like that. Picture break: 

The fountain in the middle of the piazza represents the four major rivers of the world known at the time, thus the name Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (The Fountain of the Four Rivers). I'm not sure which of the four rivers I have pictured above but the four are the Nile, Danube, Ganges and Plate. In statues rivers are pretty much always portrayed as men in a "lounging" position to show the movement of the water. The Nile River God has a rag covering his face because they weren't sure where the river started. How you don't know that I don't know, but I didn't make it. I just take the tourist pictures 400 years later (It was erected in 1651 and was designed by Bernini). 

The Nile

Found: Picture of Anne's snazzy leather jacket: 

After the Piazza, we made our way back past the Trevi Fountain to Dr. Bucci's apartment to eat lunch with him and his wife. Dr. Bucci used to work with my dad at the University of Maryland and when he retired Clara (his lovely wife) and him moved back to Rome. They both are Italians through and through despite living in the States for 40 years. Anyway, we walked on this street named after the person that used to do the wash for the Pope. Lucky girl? Not sure. Clara made a wonderfulll lunch. We had cheese and spinach stuffed ravioli with a cream sauce, lots of wine, mozzarella, prosciutto, cauliflower, bread, salad, more bread, binges (fried dough with really good cream inside) and Frappe which is fried dough that they only have before Lent. Rather wonderful. That night we had a quiet night in because we did alot of walking and needed some peace and quiet.


Next time: The Colosseum etc!