Pictures are up on my Flickr - to see them, click here.
We also got some great video - to see those go to my YouTube by clicking here.
I added all of our favorite spots etc. to my Google map which is here.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
le fotografie
Sara just uploaded our combined photos. There seem to be around 1,300.
Please be patient as we filter and edit this massive amount of visual data!
Decompression
We're back stateside! Chilling out in Cincinnati, Sara and I are taking time to sleep off the inevitable jet lag, reacquaint ourselves with the silly routines of America, and eat some familiar food. Strangely enough, familiar food to us happens to be food from all countries, including the one we just left. While dining with Fabio and Adrian, our hosts in Rome, Sara and I were asked to describe American food. Like grounded fish, we repeatedly opened our mouths to speak, only to close them again as we realized - America has no cuisine.
Not for the first time, I pondered the conundrum of hailing from a world superpower and showing disgust when told that Johnny Rockets represents my nation's food in other countries, while at the same time not being able to name a single truly American dish. Traditional southern food was my first thought, but it's all fried. And fried food is hardly a type of cuisine. Just like our language, it seems American food is just an amalgamation of ideas stolen and altered.
I have never been particularly patriotic, but I find as I learn more about other cultures, I am becoming more and more proud of my homeland. So it is with some gusto that I have set out to find signature American dishes, perhaps enough to form a coherent body of cuisine, sort of like a portfolio of food.
Can YOU help me out? What IS American Food?
(Sidenote: If you say "hamburger" or "french fries," you are disqualified from further suggestions! These are the foods everyone thinks are American, but I am trying to prove that there is much more. Besides, both those foods are named after other places in the world, so they can't be very American, can they?)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Fourth/Last Day
John and I met back up to hit a few churches. Attached is a picture of The Moses by Michelangelo.
Tonight we are going to enjoy our last night Restaurant Hopping around Rome with the boys. Tomorrow it's arrivederci Roma :(
John's quote of the day ''somewhere there is a naked priest...''
Monday, June 23, 2008
Fourth Day
Today was exhausting.
We went to the Vatican so we got up bright and early. We needed meet Eugene at 10.30 am so we got the bus at 9. Well the bus broke down and we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for another. So we were very late and missed Eugene. ''What a disaster'' said John. We hooked up with another tour guide who took us to the Tour Guide bar to gather up and pay and we ran into Eugene there - yay! We were able to pick up the second part of the tour, which is thep part I had never done. This usually is not allowed but because he knew us he made an exception.
We had lunch of delicious pizza and amazing gelato before the tour and had such a good time with the tour that I told Eugene that next time I am in Rome we will get beers and skip the tour.
It was a very good day.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Third Day
From Sara: Today is museum day. We got an early start and fought the tour groups. We had a breakfast of fruit at the Forum then went to the Musei Capitolini. John filled me in on the more interesting pieces namely a bronze ststue of the wolf with Romulus and Remius that is controversial as well as the Equestrian bronze of Marcus Aurelius. The attached picture is of a large fountain in the museum.
We had lunch in Spagna along with gelato. Then I napped in Villa Borghese while John tried to go to the Galleria though they were sold out.
From there we went to what I thought was the Versace museum (meg :) but really housed an alter (Johnwill explain). He went in while I made friends with two Morrocan men and their pet bird. I attached a second pic of the water fall near the museum, you can also see the backs of
my friends.
For dinner we cooked for Fabio and our new Argentinian friend Adrian. The menu was pig wrapped dates alla John and Chicken alla Sara (formerly chicken bryan). Grocery shopping was a blast, not only because of the varoety but also due to the language barier. It was like catch phrase on crack! Dinner was a big hit. We had planned a twist on French Toast for dessert (we had to 'skip' on the phrase 'maple syrup' so we planned to drizzle chocolate instead) because we
were so full. Don't worry we saved for tomorrow and will let you know how it compares to Moms by vote :)
We wrapped up the night by watching Birdcage together and finally to bed.
Tomorrow - Vatican City with Eugene.
John's quotes of the day ''so this piece is cool because...'' and ''that waiter was so rude!''
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Un'Altro Post: Catching Up
My 40-hour day was so exhausting that I slept until 10:30 today.
"Wha...?"
"How?"
"You're in Rome, idiot!"
These things must be going through your mind. I know, I know, but how can I enjoy the overwhelming amount of input from Rome if I am tired? No, much better to rest up.
By the time we got to the city, we had to have lunch, which was just as well, because the plan was to bide our time near the Colloseo, waiting for the tour guide Sara has been raving about: Eugene. I imagined an old eclectic man, who sara described as being "distinct" and "recognizable" and "wearing a crazy straw hat." When she finally pointed him out striding through the madding crowds around the ancient stadium, my mind did a u-turn: Eugene, the loveable tour guide, is about 30 years old, lively, loud and, in his own words, "half Argentinean, half Italian and a whole lot of fun."
Anyone who is planning coming to Rome: Find Eugene!
After a long, leisurely, informative tour of Palatine Hill and the Imperial Palace, Sara and I picked our way down the steep stairs and decaying stones to the center of the Roman Forum. The center of life during the largest Western empire in history. The center of the market of Julius Caesar's time. This is big stuff we're talking about. But looking at it today without knowing the history is very disappointing. I still felt passionate about all of the landmarks and architecture I remembered, but we passed tour group after tour group of clueless tools, listening to second-rate tour guides who probably learned a lot from Wikipedia. Exaggeration? Maybe. I:m sure quite a few guides are very good, but for every one who is truly knowledgeable, there are probably four who are just looking to make a quick buck.
During a conversation Sara and I had on the steps of the Curae, which housed the Roman Senate during the Republic 2,100 years ago, she said she was glad that so many people still visit the site, still show interest. I agree to an extent, but I also feel that the influx of visitors is part of what continues to decay the architecture, and that most of the visitors come because these things are famous. They do not know the history, why they should be excited, what function these things served, they only know that they are old, revered by the Romans and famous around the world.
Although it did not change my opinion of the mass of tourists in the Forum, it certainly brightened my day to meet two Swedish men under the Arch of Septimius Severus (about 1,800 years old, still standing). Sara and I asked them to take a photograph, and when one of them misheard Sara's "have a nice day" as "did you have a nice day?" we entered a long conversation that ranged from food (smorgasbord) to politics (Sweden is very liberal) to soccer (football?) to alligators (the most dangerous animal in Sweden is the Moose) to film (one of the guys claimed he was the "Swedish Jack Black!"). Ola and Mattias were very nice, and even though they were clearly much older than us (40-ish?), I think we were all communicating effectively and enjoyably. Sara even got their contact information, because they offered her tips on where to go, what to eat, and how to travel in Sweden, going so far as to ask her to visit them.
In the Roman tradition, Sara and I found a nice restaurant and sat down for a long meal. Tonight, it was about two hours, though I believe it's normal in Rome to stay much longer. The food was even better than last night. Exquisite, very Roman. The wine, not as good, unfortunately, but cheaper. (The equivalent of about $9 for three large glasses.) As a food lover I'm keeping track of where and what I eat, for the benefit of others who visit, and for my own memory. Tonight was a great exercise for my reviewing abilities. When is a flower not just a pretty decoration? Why, when it's stuffed with cheese and fried tempura-style, of course! Yes, that's right - we ate that tonight. Delicioso!
Part of me begins to love this city, for all the typical reasons (the wine!, the women!, the history!) but part of me is also more grateful for what I have and where I have it. America has problems. Bigger problems, it seems, everday. But I love my country more, the more I see others. Patriotism was never a sensation I experienced until I began learning about life elsewhere (China from my Chinese friends, Greece from my family, Italy from my own experience).
Photos are forthcoming, and there are plenty. There's just no way I can sufficiently convey my experiences through my meagre and amateur pictures, but I will show what I can nevertheless. It seems I need to invent a new art form just to show the world what I see! Now there's an idea.
To come: Villa Borghese and Musei Capitolini tomorrow (Domenica), Citta del Vatticano on Monday (Lunedi) with Eugene.
"Wha...?"
"How?"
"You're in Rome, idiot!"
These things must be going through your mind. I know, I know, but how can I enjoy the overwhelming amount of input from Rome if I am tired? No, much better to rest up.
By the time we got to the city, we had to have lunch, which was just as well, because the plan was to bide our time near the Colloseo, waiting for the tour guide Sara has been raving about: Eugene. I imagined an old eclectic man, who sara described as being "distinct" and "recognizable" and "wearing a crazy straw hat." When she finally pointed him out striding through the madding crowds around the ancient stadium, my mind did a u-turn: Eugene, the loveable tour guide, is about 30 years old, lively, loud and, in his own words, "half Argentinean, half Italian and a whole lot of fun."
Anyone who is planning coming to Rome: Find Eugene!
After a long, leisurely, informative tour of Palatine Hill and the Imperial Palace, Sara and I picked our way down the steep stairs and decaying stones to the center of the Roman Forum. The center of life during the largest Western empire in history. The center of the market of Julius Caesar's time. This is big stuff we're talking about. But looking at it today without knowing the history is very disappointing. I still felt passionate about all of the landmarks and architecture I remembered, but we passed tour group after tour group of clueless tools, listening to second-rate tour guides who probably learned a lot from Wikipedia. Exaggeration? Maybe. I:m sure quite a few guides are very good, but for every one who is truly knowledgeable, there are probably four who are just looking to make a quick buck.
During a conversation Sara and I had on the steps of the Curae, which housed the Roman Senate during the Republic 2,100 years ago, she said she was glad that so many people still visit the site, still show interest. I agree to an extent, but I also feel that the influx of visitors is part of what continues to decay the architecture, and that most of the visitors come because these things are famous. They do not know the history, why they should be excited, what function these things served, they only know that they are old, revered by the Romans and famous around the world.
Although it did not change my opinion of the mass of tourists in the Forum, it certainly brightened my day to meet two Swedish men under the Arch of Septimius Severus (about 1,800 years old, still standing). Sara and I asked them to take a photograph, and when one of them misheard Sara's "have a nice day" as "did you have a nice day?" we entered a long conversation that ranged from food (smorgasbord) to politics (Sweden is very liberal) to soccer (football?) to alligators (the most dangerous animal in Sweden is the Moose) to film (one of the guys claimed he was the "Swedish Jack Black!"). Ola and Mattias were very nice, and even though they were clearly much older than us (40-ish?), I think we were all communicating effectively and enjoyably. Sara even got their contact information, because they offered her tips on where to go, what to eat, and how to travel in Sweden, going so far as to ask her to visit them.
In the Roman tradition, Sara and I found a nice restaurant and sat down for a long meal. Tonight, it was about two hours, though I believe it's normal in Rome to stay much longer. The food was even better than last night. Exquisite, very Roman. The wine, not as good, unfortunately, but cheaper. (The equivalent of about $9 for three large glasses.) As a food lover I'm keeping track of where and what I eat, for the benefit of others who visit, and for my own memory. Tonight was a great exercise for my reviewing abilities. When is a flower not just a pretty decoration? Why, when it's stuffed with cheese and fried tempura-style, of course! Yes, that's right - we ate that tonight. Delicioso!
Part of me begins to love this city, for all the typical reasons (the wine!, the women!, the history!) but part of me is also more grateful for what I have and where I have it. America has problems. Bigger problems, it seems, everday. But I love my country more, the more I see others. Patriotism was never a sensation I experienced until I began learning about life elsewhere (China from my Chinese friends, Greece from my family, Italy from my own experience).
Photos are forthcoming, and there are plenty. There's just no way I can sufficiently convey my experiences through my meagre and amateur pictures, but I will show what I can nevertheless. It seems I need to invent a new art form just to show the world what I see! Now there's an idea.
To come: Villa Borghese and Musei Capitolini tomorrow (Domenica), Citta del Vatticano on Monday (Lunedi) with Eugene.
Second Day
We met up with Eugene today, my favorite tour guide! He was just as great as I remembered too. We followed him around Palentino Hill and the Imperial Palace, then we toured the Forum on our own. It was so cool to do that with John, he knew a lot of details and was so passionate about it that it was contagious. The picture included is of us in front of the Temple of Antoninus & Faustina in the Forum. We had a snack on the steps of the Curea (the senate house built in BC
times). Then we met two Swedish guys, Ola and Matthius and chatted for 45 min or so under the Arch of Septimius Severus.
We then enjoyed a leisurely dinner of fried zucchini flower and gnocchi in Piazza Spagna.
We are now relaxing at Fabio's watching Italian news and sipping Limoncello. Tomorrow will be a day of museums. I may do more people watching than art watching... ;)
John's quote of the day ''As great as it was so see history I was excited to meet Eugene because it's nice to see someone else so passionate about the art and the history.''
Friday, June 20, 2008
Un`altre post: Marathon of Sleepless Excitement
Although the exact math escapes me, I can say with some certainty that I have been awake for too many hours. I awoke at 5:00 am on the morning of the 19th (after going to bed at midnight), took a one- to two-hour nap that afternoon, boarded a plane to Rome at 7:30 pm, slept for one to three hours (not really sure, as I faded in and out, but was never really comfortable), and here I am, bedding down at 2:30 am local time (8:30 pm, June 20). Perhaps tomorrow or the next day I will be able to attempt downloading some photos from the cameras and posting something more interesting, but for now let me just add this to my lame quote from Sara`s post:
Seeing Rome as an artist and art historian, it is at once beautiful and terrible - Beautiful in its ancient history and masterful architecture, terrible in its mistreatment of these things. I was not aware how romantic I felt about these historical pieces until I arrived here and saw the bleak reality for myself (crumbling monuments, blackened walls, revolutionary monuments covered in graffiti).On the other hand, though, seeing Rome as a socially aware and adventurous person, it`s New York City with more character, Seattle with more permanence, and altogether fascinating. My first day was overwhelming for all I saw, exhausting for its duration, but it has only piqued my curiosity.
On to the real fun and the bulk of my trip: Foro Romano, Galleria Borghese, Citta Vatticano, etc. Tomorrow, the plan is to self-tour the Forum and take a free tour of the Palatine Hill, amidst whatever else catches our fancy.
By the way, thanks for reading, whoever you may be.
Seeing Rome as an artist and art historian, it is at once beautiful and terrible - Beautiful in its ancient history and masterful architecture, terrible in its mistreatment of these things. I was not aware how romantic I felt about these historical pieces until I arrived here and saw the bleak reality for myself (crumbling monuments, blackened walls, revolutionary monuments covered in graffiti).On the other hand, though, seeing Rome as a socially aware and adventurous person, it`s New York City with more character, Seattle with more permanence, and altogether fascinating. My first day was overwhelming for all I saw, exhausting for its duration, but it has only piqued my curiosity.
On to the real fun and the bulk of my trip: Foro Romano, Galleria Borghese, Citta Vatticano, etc. Tomorrow, the plan is to self-tour the Forum and take a free tour of the Palatine Hill, amidst whatever else catches our fancy.
By the way, thanks for reading, whoever you may be.
First Day
After a comfie flight our friend Fabio met us at the airport and welcomed us into his home with flare. After a quick regroup we were whisked off to the city center and the adventure began. Here are all of the things we witnessed today alone: piazza navona, pantheon, marcus aurelius column, trevvi fountain, spagna, villa borghese, piazza del popolo, colloseo, mouth of truth, trajans market and column whew!
We saw an...interesting play in the Roman Forum. Now we are savoring a dinner at Zio Ciro with our friend and server Mimo. Included is a pic of John in Piazza Navona.
John's quote of the day: 'I've seen a lot, but I have a lot more to see. Rome is too big to absorb in one day.' (said in a bit of dazed stupor :)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
One leg complete
I made it to Cincinnati! I'm now biding my time at my sister's house, an adorable 2/1 in Madeira, OH. The windows and doors are thrown wide to the cool breeze and the obnoxious motors of locusts. I wouldn't have believed the racket they make unless I heard it for myself, but it truly makes me think at periodic intervals that someone nearby is mowing the lawn or using a weed whacker. But it's just nature.
Rome is less than 24 hours from now, and I'm so ready!
Rome is less than 24 hours from now, and I'm so ready!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
No time for sleep
Only ten hours left. I'm starting to feel nervous (going to a foreign culture where I don't necessarily belong), excited (the art! the wine! the history!), anxious (waking up at 5:00 am and sitting on a plane for upwards of 8 hours - not good things to look forward to) and overwhelmed. Even though I'm probably more prepared for this trip than for most trips I've taken in the past, it's still a tough thing, to let go of what little control I have and simply accept that I have everything I could possibly need. I want to pack this and pack that and, oh what about this? and what about that? Fortunately, with ten hours to go, my bag looks excellent. Everything fits, and I don't feel that I'm forgetting something I won't be able to live without.
It's been incredibly nice having someone else handle the details of such a large excursion, but it's interesting to note that without those details in my own hands, I've found it harder to feel the reality of the trip and get excited. Ten days ago, I was still putting together a list of things I MIGHT want to do. Now the hour is almost upon me.
But enough about my feelings. Follows is my master list of stuff to do, generally in order of importance:
It's been incredibly nice having someone else handle the details of such a large excursion, but it's interesting to note that without those details in my own hands, I've found it harder to feel the reality of the trip and get excited. Ten days ago, I was still putting together a list of things I MIGHT want to do. Now the hour is almost upon me.
But enough about my feelings. Follows is my master list of stuff to do, generally in order of importance:
- Free tour of Palatine with Eugene
- History of Rome Part I by the Miracle Players
- Baths of Caracalla
- Column of Trajan
- Theatre of Marcellus
- Roman Forum
- Column of Trajan
- Forums of Trajan
- Piazza di Spagna
- Giardino di Pincio
- Chiesa S. Maria Del Popolo
- Galleria Borghese
- Trevi Fountain
- Tibre Island
- Citta del Vaticano
- Piazza di San Luigi de' Francesi (Carravaggio)
- Column of Marcus Aureleus
- Piazza Navona
- Porta Maggiore
- Chiesa S. Maria Maggiore
- Republican Wall
- Santa Maria della Vittoria (Ecstacy of St. Teresa)
- Museo Nazionale Romano (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme)
- Musei Capitolini
- Villa Giulia
- The Mouth of Truth
- Basilica San Clemente
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
