When in Rome...

Today marked the 30 day point. I remember starting this countdown at 180 days. To think that 150 days have already passed! For some reason this year is just flying by and I can't seem to make it slow down.

I haven't blogged in a while. Not that I lack desire (or topics) but because I don't have the time and, honestly, some days I am so exhausted that my pillow looks more appealing than the computer screen.

So in honor of being one month away from setting sail (metaphorically speaking) I decided to cover my brief time in Rome. Roma, Italy was the last stop on my trip in 2009. After boarding a train in Paris (I mean a real train not some slick high-tech fancy train with all the amenities) we were off! There were 6 of us in a compartment. Luckily mine had all girls so we quickly dropped all the beds into place and settled ourselves in for the 16 hour ride! This was the first time I was on a train like this since I was a child in Russia.

And I hated every minute of it.

 I'm don't do well in heat. Add humidity or stuffiness and I literally get ill. The compartment had no A/C nor did the window open. I read an entire book trying to keep my mind off of it. Then I just dozed off. By next morning we were in Rome! It was sweltering hot! Sweltering! I have never been hotter in my life (including the 118 degree weather in Palm Springs). 

First off Rome is quite dirty. There is trash and graffiti everywhere. They literally had to put up fences to keep people from painting graffiti on the ruins! But I must admit it was beautiful and the Italian people are quite the characters (and entertaining). It was too hot to eat anything in Rome while I was there so I ate Gelato. For three days straight. Luckily they had a shop almost at every corner :)

See the fences? Who would dare graffiti on that?!

Lastly, while I was in Rome I did a side trip to the coast to see the famous city of Pompeii that was buried in ash when Mount  Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 (it was buried for 1700 years before being discovered!). It was quite an experience to see a city that was suddenly destroyed in God's wrath for it was known as a place of immorality.

Here is a quick jaunt through Italy... enjoy!

The Colosseum! To think my grandparents were here 23 years ago while on their way to America!

Gardens near the old palace

Inside the Colosseum at the ground level. The floor has been destroyed but below you can see where they kept the gladiators, animals, and victims! 

 A cross erected in honor of all the faithful Christians that died because they were not ashamed of their God, their Savior, and their faith! 

 At the far end you can see what it would have looked like had there been a floor in place.

 The Trevi Fountains! I was tempted to climb in and take a dip but that probably would be gotten me arrested and since I can't speak Italian I decided not to risk it :)

 The Pantheon! This used to be a temple that was then turned into a church.

 The building is a complete and perfect half circle and supports itself by its own weight. The top is open and rain falls into the building :)

 The famous painter Rafael is buried here!

 The Trevi Fountains at night (great gelato nearby too!)

 The Colosseum at night. By the way apparently everything in Italy is 20 minutes away. Kind of like LA but even more exaggerated. Everyone we asked how far back it was to our hotel kept telling us "20 minutes" (think heavy Italian accent). Needless to say it took us 1.5 hours to walk back!

 So unlike most cities I visited that have great subway systems Rome does not! The reason being that every time they try to build one they discover even more ruins such as these :)

 Inside the Vatican. We did an excursion to see the famous church. However, I was only excited about seeing the Sistine Chapel. Sadly, they don't let you take any pictures inside so please Google it! The walls and ceiling were all painted by Michelangelo. His famous painting of God reaching out to man is painted on the roof the the chapel.

 Court yard view from the front of the Vatican

 The inside of the Vatican. It is so large, so ornate that you literally lose all sense of space. I can understand why Luther was so disgusted with it. Its beautiful to be sure but the fact that it was built on indulgences sold to the poor is saddening indeed! Instead of the church giving them the gospel they sold them an empty promise.

 They are probably single and will remain so wearing that...

 On our way to Pompeii we stopped by to see how cameos are made!

 So beautiful but I could not afford it at 1,450 euros!! 

 The outskirts of the city of Pompeii 

 A kitchen :) I'm sure Martha Stuart would know how to use it

 

 Inside some of the homes that survived the ash fall

 City center. You can see the volcano in the background. Yes, it is still active!!

 The temple with mount Vesuvius in the background. The volcano is still active. Those clouds are coming from the mountain itself.

 Some of the buried alive victims...

 The ash fell quick, thick, and hot. 

 Some of the buried artifacts that were recovered...

 Including this poor soul...

 Close up of the temple - false worship of a false god...

 The following day I boarded a plan bound to San Francisco. It was an amazing trip and an unique experience. I thank God for the opportunity to travel and see the world. It would be a few more months before I got the green light in regards to my cancer scare but knowing that I might face certain death made me enjoy this trip unlike any other. God is good! 

Soli Deo Gloria!