Apartments Via Piave Rome

... records of the burials lost. It was common during the centuries, as it is today, to unearth spectacular intact Greek and Roman artifacts, like the Laocoon sculpture, commissioned and transported to Rome from Rhodes in the 1st century BC, but lost for centuries under Nero’s Golden House. Its discovery in 1506 became a sensation involving Pope Julius II ("Il Papa Terrible" for his bad temperament), Michaelangelo, Raphael ...

... Living out of a suitcase and moving constantly is certainly tiring and I miss certain little things about being at home like being able to just lay on a couch and watch a movie or being able to do laundry without paying 10 bucks. However, what I'm most excited about is to feel complete again. When I left Vegas I left a big part of my heart there too, which has made being gone for so long very difficult. So I am ecstatic to be home with the one I love very soon!

... A.D. and today, it is one of the best preserved buildings in all the Forum. During the middle ages, this building was converted into a church, San Lorenzo in Miranda.

Due volte in una vita.....Just to digress for a bit, I must tell a story of incredible coincidence that took place at "Antoinette's Column." What is the historical significance? Well, during our first visit in 2005, we met a tour ...

... became inadequate to cope and other centres were constructed elsewhere reducing the plaza's significance. In 283 the forum was ravaged by fire and despite attempts at restoration the forum continued to decline as a result of barbarian attacks and was later reduced to grazing land. But the biggest threat to these structures and others like it across the city was the Renascence period of the 1500's where original Roman buildings were quarried for their marble and other ...

... off a bit. Actually I think the thing that threw me off the most was the traffic. I knew it would be insane, I knew to watch out for it... those things didn't bother me. Not even the mini little itsy tiny smart cars threw me for a loop. What did was just the fact that people were driving next to the Colosseum. I mean, man, I thought driving on the Dan Ryan (or rather sitting on the Dan Ryan) and being able to see the Sears Tower was cool. I don't know anything, and that keeps me on my feet.

... chapel with michelangelos creation and last judgement. there are truly no words to describe the phenomenon we saw. And if that wasnt impressive enough, we entered St Peter's basilica and saw the dome which was also done by michelangelo, the pieta which is a sculpture of the virgin holding jesus after his death, which is what made michelangelo famous at the ripe age of 22 or 25, our guide said one, our book said the latter, and its what made the king commision the ...

... you have to pay for the food and drinks. but I realised that it was free, since I saw no one reaching into their pockets to get money. I got a juice and a cookie. This was great.. free snacks on the train. no wonder they made us pay so much to reserve a seat. I finally got to florence and they announced that the train was 27 mins late so we could get a 50% refund. wow.. cheaper fare and free food. I will try taking eurostar again.

... from the street fountains. After lunch we once again met up with Carla and completed our tour with the Roman Forum. Even the BOSS commented on how much she had inadvertently learned listening to our wonderful guide. The only thing detracting from our perfect tour was the 33 degree heat and lack of shade. Desperately seeking relief from the heat, the BOSS, the Boys and I dived into an air conditioned bar where we indulged in beer and gelati and were relieved of 30 euros for the ...

... hairpin turns and breathtaking halts. I even saw one guy playing those eerie-sounding Mexican flute things (yeah, ok, so I have NO idea what they are called), and he did not miss one note or one beat during his entire song. His breath control was astounding. Now that's talent. Couple other random thoughts from my day spent sitting outside the Coloseo: * German people seem like they are working even when they are on vacation. * You can always tell a British guy ...

... sorta cranky since it was so hot. The mass (service) didn't start for awhile and we were wondering where he was going to come in. I figured he had to come up the center (it's a catholic thing). There was some guy on the stage saying things in different languages. After each language this really lame choir sang the same thing. Finally, the Pope came in on his Pope mobile. He came up the center but he went near the front. All of these ...