When in Rome

For Easter break, we spent 2 weeks in Italy. I was able to visit Rome, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. It went by in a flash and I loved every second of it. I learned, saw, experienced, and ate so much it's hard to remember and describe it all. But I'll try my best over the next couple of blog posts.

Rome completely took me by surprise. I did not expect to love it as much as I did. It was one of my favorite places that I've visited. It is not only the rich history of Rome that impresses, but the small details such as public water fountains and the umbrella pine trees that decorated the city.

 The Tiber River. 

 Casual ancient ruins throughout the city.

 The Umbrella Pine trees I fell in love with.

 The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità), made famous from the movie Roman Holiday. 

Roman Holiday clip

 Motto of Rome, Senātus Populusque Rōmānus ("The Senate and People of Rome"), is on everything.

Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II, or also known as the "giant wedding cake". 

 Lilacs were everywhere. Every time I saw or smelled them they reminded me of my mom and home. 

 The Pantheon. 

 Dr. Hughes told us to hug the pillars to get an idea of how big they are.

 The Vatican.
The buildings formed a half circle, as if trying to reach out and hug you.
We went to Palm Sunday Mass outside Saint Peter's Basilica. 

The Pope. 

When mass ended, everyone held up signs and banners for the Pope and cheered when he mentioned their nationality. And afterwards, he rode around in his car and waved to everyone.

A Vatican guard. Their uniforms were designed by Michelangelo.

The entire city was an ancient burial ground. 

Ruins lay scattered as the modern city lived and worked around it. 

The Colosseum. 

Inside the Colosseum.

At the Forum.

The Romans loved color, and the entire Forum would have been painted all different colors. The white columns looked as if someone was playing around in Photoshop and desaturated the color. 

The Trevi Fountain.

Throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain which ensures that I will return to Rome someday.

The Spanish steps.

Ostia Antica. An ancient city that was flooded by the Tiber river and preserved.

It was like a giant jungle gym.

Beautiful mosaic tiles.

Laocoön and His Sons 

Beautiful ceiling inside the Vatican Museum.

Amazing maps.

The School of Athens by Raphael. 

Rome was wonderful and I hope that throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain truly means that I will return one day.