Gelato Chronicles Continued
Around Rome (some of it maybe famous but IDK)Trevi Fountaina) I did not expect Trevi Fountain to be so massive ... you could have a SeaWorld show in that thing! b) I did not expect the square where the fountain was to be so small. The fountain took up 90% of it at least. Colosseumwaited in line for 2.5 hours... luckily the line was 99% shaded. Besides the heat walking around in the Colosseum, I'd say it was worth the 12 euros. Palatine Hill and Roman ForumAbsolutely massive. I don't think I even saw 50% of what I could have seen. Without a guided tour, there isn't really a designated route so I just wandered around looking at stuff. A lot of it was in the sun so I tapped out after 1.5 hours and got gelato instead. I did overhear a guide saying that 12 years ago, the park with Palatine Hill and the Forum were free but no one ever visited. After they started ticketing and charging, it became super popular ... go figure. Catacombs di PriscillaThese are the only catacombs within the city walls of old Rome. They contain over 40,000 loculi (graves) spread over two levels. The top layer was very maze like since it was completed in sections. First for the older rich families, then for christian martyrs then for the general public (many Christians). The bottom layer is laid out in a grid because it was intentionally planned after the top level filled up. Most loculi on the top level are empty and open - raided by barbarians who thought people were buried with treasures. Almost all, if not all, of the loculi on the bottom level are still sealed. Original loculi are sealed with roman slab bricks. Later, to preserve parts of the catacomb a different type of roman brick was used to brick up in front of the loculi (entire walls). Rich families had a room for their loculi. We saw one with a fresco on the ceiling. and saw others that had a hall instead of a room but still done in frescos. The guide discussed christian symbols such as the fish and anchor. The cross wasn't used as a symbol of Christianity until after Constantine legalized the religion. Unfortunately for you, I didn't take any pictures because lighting and I don't think we were allowed to ... no one else tried to take any so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was mildly spooky and cool. PantheonVia Appia AnticaThe plan was to go to the bike shop at the San Sebastian Catecombs, rent a bike for a couple of hours and ride the Via Appia Antica and park areas. Turns out, the bike shop either isn't there anymore or the person who runs it was late setting up shop. Plan B ... I seem to be doing a lot of Plan B's in Europe this summer ... the next closest bike rental is a 40 minute walk and has a minimum rental of 4 hours. The walk across the park to where the metro line is is also a 40 minute walk. I only have 2 hours until I need to get back to the hostel to get ready for my afternoon wine tour. So I just walk through the park meandering down the trails and enjoying the lack of city sounds. Seen but not pictured: a flock of sheep with a big red dot on each one's back, an artist who had walked in with his easel and canvas to paint a section of forest. Good use of the morning I'd say. Day trip Wine TourFun facts from the wine tour:
Vatican CityThe museums: wait 2 hours in line to save 18 euro then walk through lightly air conditioned halls of antiquity with a couple thousand of your closest friends ... many Europeans are not big on deodorant. You fill in the blanks there. Anyways, did see some cool stuff and the Sistine Chapel. I might have been more impressed by the Chapel if a) there were less people in it, b) people actually listed to the signs everywhere saying "Be respectful. Stay silent. No photography or video." ... seeing as they didn't the guards constantly were saying "No photo!" and c) every other ceiling in Europe wasn't ornately painted/carved/both St. Peter's Basilica: Holy shit, that church is massive! I'm talking like 10-20 normal sized churches could fit into it. Or like 5 mega churches. Also saw the tomb of the popes under the basilica (no photography allowed). You know, after seeing so many churches and castles and what not, it makes me wonder like ... what if instead of giant displays of wealth and fancy stuff, novel idea here ... what if you lived/worshiped/worked a bit more modestly and used that money to help the people you're supposed to be serving/helping in the first place? ... you know, just a thought. Beautiful church though
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ShannonMath Teacher living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam Archives
February 2022
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