Rome is...

...authentic and magical. I loved this city. From the moment I stepped off the train, I knew it. This place is not Las Vegas - this is the real deal. Big city, brash romantic locals, and lots of old stuff. I wish I could type more here, truly. Its just that I had this WHOLE blog typed out and organized, and then it got deleted. (See "I Hate Computers" blog). Maybe Ill go back someday and update this blog, but for now Im not spending another 2 hours indoors doing this blog. Enjoy pictures and videos with short commentary.




First picture I took when I got to Rome. Notice the tourists walking by like "What in the world..."



How about a nice little tour?



Across the street is the Roman Forum. These white pillars are the remains of the circular building that used to house the Roman flame that the Vestal Virgins were charged to protect.







The house of the Vestal Virgins! If any of these 6 women were ever found to not live up to, uh, their namesake, they were dragged through the street and then buried alive. Ouch.





A tour of my Roman house:





The Roman Forum is so big. Dang, this commentary I wrote before was so much better.



This is an old stone that people used to stand up on and delcare new political views and opinions. Here, some random tourist indulged me and took this picture.




This old man and his granddaughter were having the best time. She was so excited about whatever she was talking about, and he was so happy to be feeling so young.



*Wink*



This jumping picture spawned several others right after I took this one. I'm to the Italians what the Spanish were to Latin America; except that instead of blankets and disease, I bring jumping pictures and sarcasm.





This skylight illuminates the whole interior of the Pantheon. When it rains, a cylinder of water falls straight down and escapes through ancient holes in the ground. When it rains, locals come by and check it out.



Here I am being a bonafide tourist. Im wearing one of those Whisper devices - our tour guide had a microphone that enabled her to talk to us all without shouting. So cool. But, if you find yourself wearing a Whisper device and walking in a group behind someone with a piece of fabric on a long stick in the air, you're a tourist, buddy.



The Trevi Fountain! Im glad thing isnt copied anywhere (as far as I know). So many people here throwing coins into the fountian over their left shoulder, wishing to come back to Rome. On Mondays, all the coins are collected and given to the Red Cross.




Yes I took a picture with this. No, I didnt buy it. Thank you, thank you.



This guy was so hilarious. He was dancing and shouting at cars in the middle of this plaza and making faces at anybody who looked his way. So what did I do? I ran over and joined him. Yes, there are pictures of that, but on another camera. Hopefully Ill get those soon.







Can anybody tell me where the catacombe is exactly located?





Here's just a cool view of the Collesium.





I had to wait for so many cars and vespas to pass by to get this shot. I think there is a vespa about one foot from the right side of the frame.



This is the Collesium floor. The gladiators and animals and slaves would prepare below stage here before riding an elevator to the stage for battle.





Here's the Big News Report from the Collesium.
Check out this link http://youtube.com/watch?v=CQq8uADJo_A for the official Big News version. If that like doesnt work, check out the field version here.



This is not a covert picture of the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. That's not my chin and hat.



This is not a better shot that I got from a different angle.



Vatican City! Two countries in one day. Check me out.



St. Peter's Basillica. This plaid shirt has been officially ordained by God.



I had such a great time in Italy with the Langs. Here we all are on the last night of their trip.



It's always a good time with Bob!




Yea Rome! Im behind on blogs.