Rome was not built in a day...so I'm glad we got to spend another day in the city. After our "continental" breakfast (which is mainly just bread and dry cuts and yogurt, although I did have a cappuccino) our entire viticulture group got on our bus and were dropped off right across the river. In walking back across the river on the Ponte Saint Angelo, there were these gorgeous angel statues. Each one of the them represented one of the ten passions of Christ. Five line each side of the bridge leading up to the Castel Saint Angelo. They are so incredibly gorgeous and the details are just beautiful. The castle itself is mainly a brick round building, surrounding by a square wall. The history behind the building had a lot to do with creating a safe grounds to transfer the Pope to and from. It now looks like an walled castle and that there should be a moat around it.
I think the most beautiful thing about Rome is that everyone just walks around the cobblestone streets. And all the little alleys you walk down, there are little windows and vespas, and you turn the corner and there is a little caffe or restaurant with tables and umbrellas and lights. It really is such a quaint place to live. And on our way we passed this couple who was saying goodbye to each other in the morning, and how they said "ciao" and they kissed and the husband walked off to work in his suit and the woman starting walking her dog...it was so Italian and perfect.
But we made our way to the Pantheon- one of my favorite buildings. It's the burial site for Rapheal and the first king of Italy. And it has this amazing Oculus that's basically a huge circle in the center of the dome and when it rains, it rains inside the building and then it drains through these little small drains.
Our next stop was this track at Piazza Navona. It has this gorgeous fountain - sadly it was under restoration - but our tour guide told us this great story of a drunk American that thought it would be a great picture to sit on this arm-like branch part of the fountain, and broke part of the arm. Thank you Americans for ruining ancient Rome for the rest of us.
The Piazza Venezia is just immaculate the second time around. But still over decorated. But behind it is the Old Rome Forum, which is basically the ruins of old Rome. And to me, I was so absolutely taken aback with all the old ruins completely left and fallen in their original places on the ground. This place is just so crazy almost, that the ruins from the ancient Rome times, are fallen and left just there. The preservation is incredible and it makes me wonder how amazing it would have been back in the day.
The Coliseum is absolutely indescribably beautiful and huge. Sadly earthquakes and restoration over the years have ruined the original surface, but it is still incredible. One day when I come back to Rome, I want to go inside and really experience the Gladiator feeling. Too much to do and so little time.
Our lunch was another margherita pizza at this little pizza shop. If you ever plan on visiting Rome, make sure you're fully prepared to eat pizza and sandwiches until your heart's content because they are so delicious, and in all honesty, they are all so different and intriguing. You have to dry one from everywhere you go, even if you don't personally order it. Someone is bound to order a pizza....
But be careful of the bathrooms. Ha, this is what got me the first day...the toilet's don't have toilet's don't have seats, and the way the toilet is shaped is just strange. And then some have a big button and a small button....way to confusing for a toilet. But it made me laugh and then really start to wonder...
The bus ride to Cortona was less than explanatory because I basically attempted to sleep the entire way. I wanted to be able to immerse myself in the trip from Rome to Cortona, but my eyes were killing me, and I had to attempt to at least get some sleep. I have literally been awake and traveling and exploring Rome running on less than 6 hours of sleep. But I woke up in time to see Cortona from the bottom of the massive mountain it is on, and it is just crazy. The streets are so windy and fun to drive on. But traveling up to Cortona definitely brings back images from Under the Tuscan Sun, but without the entire house piled on top of house feeling. It just leads you up this hill to the city, and it's perfect.
And what better way to be welcomed to Cortona with your luggage being taken up the hill for you and then a introductory wine tasting for enjoyment and a full meal from Tonino's...Cortona was off to a great start. Population now 1,202 (Caroline and I have already looked at real estate properties....)
- Samsunite...I was way off...
Well, what did you think it was? Never mind....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment