Mannn that eternal city is something...I don't think I could live there for an extended time though, after staying for just three days. The city is nuts, and there is a whole hell of a lot going on there. Traffic makes you want to either pull your hair out or simply exit the taxi and start walking, the people can be outrageously rude, and if you are not on your wares, your belongings will be gone before you can stop and take a picture. I was all about my possessions, locking my bags to the bed when I left my hostel and taking many precautions with my passport and wallet. I invested in a few touristy items, like a money belt and a lanyard contraption for my important documents and was very glad I did so. When there is nothing to steal, it makes the target on your back a lot smaller. Walking down the street, I observed people sizing me up and I'm almost positive the fact that there wasn't really anything in my pockets made it a lot less likely I'd be followed/attacked. For anybody planning a visit to Rome or any other touristy area in Italy, know what you are getting into and plan accordingly.
On a much lighter note, the Musei Capitolini nestled in Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio are far beyond worth the minimal cost for entry and I highly recommend a visit to these expansive collections. There are so many different pieces of art and other fascinating bits and pieces of history that one building simply isn't enough!! If that doesn't stress how gigantic this place is, I really don't know what will. They have everything: from a 20+ room Pinacoteca to an underground collection of funeral slabs and even part of the massive Temple of Jupiter that rested on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. I had a brief lapse in functioning and forgot to bring a memory card for my digital camera with me to the museum, therefore I was only able to capture a few pictures. Of course, I had to save room for at least one Carvaggio (the Pinacoteca contains two, including the striking and almost bizarre image of a young Saint John the Baptist, currently undergoing restoration) and the imposing equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. They also had a hall dedicated to an artist I studied rather extensively in my Italian Baroque class, Pietro da Cortona. Several of his beautiful landscapes are on display, in addition to his dynamic and altogether massive Rape of the Sabines. Add a few Guercino canvasses, some Ludovico Caracci, and a lot of Guido Reni and there is enough to look at for days. I actually plan on going back to the museum when I revisit Rome later in the semester, therefore I can spend all the time this collection necessitates. Unfortunately I had to return back to my hostel and pack up my belongings for my trip to Florence, thus I had to leave a bit before I wanted to. Rest assured that will not be the case on my next visit. One thing I regret not being able to see is the Palazzo Farnese (now the French Embassy), as reservations for the museum have to be made at least three months in advance. I could go on and on about the museum and the city, but I'll leave it at that for now. Pictures should be attached and probably more to come later, I just can't help myself,
E
On a much lighter note, the Musei Capitolini nestled in Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio are far beyond worth the minimal cost for entry and I highly recommend a visit to these expansive collections. There are so many different pieces of art and other fascinating bits and pieces of history that one building simply isn't enough!! If that doesn't stress how gigantic this place is, I really don't know what will. They have everything: from a 20+ room Pinacoteca to an underground collection of funeral slabs and even part of the massive Temple of Jupiter that rested on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. I had a brief lapse in functioning and forgot to bring a memory card for my digital camera with me to the museum, therefore I was only able to capture a few pictures. Of course, I had to save room for at least one Carvaggio (the Pinacoteca contains two, including the striking and almost bizarre image of a young Saint John the Baptist, currently undergoing restoration) and the imposing equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. They also had a hall dedicated to an artist I studied rather extensively in my Italian Baroque class, Pietro da Cortona. Several of his beautiful landscapes are on display, in addition to his dynamic and altogether massive Rape of the Sabines. Add a few Guercino canvasses, some Ludovico Caracci, and a lot of Guido Reni and there is enough to look at for days. I actually plan on going back to the museum when I revisit Rome later in the semester, therefore I can spend all the time this collection necessitates. Unfortunately I had to return back to my hostel and pack up my belongings for my trip to Florence, thus I had to leave a bit before I wanted to. Rest assured that will not be the case on my next visit. One thing I regret not being able to see is the Palazzo Farnese (now the French Embassy), as reservations for the museum have to be made at least three months in advance. I could go on and on about the museum and the city, but I'll leave it at that for now. Pictures should be attached and probably more to come later, I just can't help myself,
E
Hi E Love the blog. Maybe you can give Jansen a run for his money with a new art history book. Hopw you had a great night and are enjoying the fleeting sunshine. I saw the US Olympicwear designed by Ralph L in Macy's today. SOOOO hot and SOOOO expensive. $60 for a long sleeve t and $300 for a puffy vest. Must be trying to pay for Shawn's halfpipe. Ohwell love you and lots of kisses and more cool info on the blog. MOM
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