A S T O N I S H I N G
DAY 14-17
Hotel Selene, couldn't have been in a better area, plenty of shops and restaurant within walking distance. Our last dinner with the group was only a few hundred feet away. Beautiful and spacious rooms, the sounds of cars and people passing by were actually very peaceful. We couldn't resist taking a picture in the all mirror elevator.
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The Colosseum is a massive structure built in the center of Rome. We are speechless now just imagine how we would actually feel when it was first completed. Walking inside you can feel and imagine the excitement of everyone past and present, just like when Russell Crowe enters in Gladiator.
P A N T H E O N
After dinner we walked around with the group, enjoyed the night at the two amazing fountains. The Trevi fountain (left) was built attached to the building which gives the illusion of water coming out from the building. The Fountain of the Four Rivers is by Bernini.(Right) It has been said that his sculptures facing the church, the Rio de la Plata raise his hands protecting himself from a falling building of mocking Borromini the other figure covers his face with a cloth not to see Borromini's atrocious work.
M U S E I V A T I C A N I
Taking a picture inside the Sistine Chapel was not allowed. Here is a board outside showing the details of the ceiling painting of the Sistine Chapel.
Well, the story is different when you walk inside. The ceiling was filled with high magnitude of the Michelangelo's painting. The birth of Adam and him being touch by the hand of God. The wall depicts final judgment. Another most important thing caught our attention was a man "shishing" on the microphone to tell people to be quiet. Hysterical!!! |
Baldacchino by Bernini (left) This is one of Bernini's magnificent work made of bronze. This monumental piece has the most significant grace. Seeing it in person vs. in pictures is totally a different story. It fits perfectly in St. Peters with higher and wider ceilings and perfect lighting with rhythmic proportions of sizes.
The Pieta (right) was one of Michaelangelo's first major sculpture. It was most controversial depicting Madonna and Jesus. We normally see baby Jesus, but in his piece he had Jesus depicted as end of life and he was an adult.
The Pieta (right) was one of Michaelangelo's first major sculpture. It was most controversial depicting Madonna and Jesus. We normally see baby Jesus, but in his piece he had Jesus depicted as end of life and he was an adult.
After the tour we separated from the group. Walked around Piazza S. Pietro and enjoyed the illusions of Benini's columns. Continued to the Spanish steps. They were designed as a theatrical public space, instead of going straight down the axis, he gives us series of curving forms that links the space and producing great sense of dramatic turns.
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Sad to say this was our last dinner together as a group. The lasagna oh the lasagna, so good our mouth is watery just seeing the picture. After dinner we were treated to limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur that hit the spot. Dimitri made his last speech, then hugs and tears filled the restaurant as we said our goodbyes.
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Back to ATL
Well, fun is over hope you enjoyed the pictures we shared with you. We came with many souvenirs but some stood out more than others, Eden's collection of mask.
We kept a memory that will stay with us forever more than the pictures. Met many good people, visited spectacular places and mainly we have learned about other cultures. Hopefully we get to do another trip in a near future. |