Rome and back home
Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 06:36PM Johnson's Three Rules of Travel
- Always bring something to read.
- Never bring more than you can carry.
- Never order anything from a menu you can't translate.
One of the advantages of blogging for the writer that is a distinct disadvantage for the reader is the complete lack of editorial oversight. The blog author may, at his or her whim, write about any damn thing.
I like to write about my travels although they have nothing to do with libraries, technology, or schools. This post is one of pure personal indulgence. My feeling won't be hurt if you skip it.
The dozen pictures below were all taken with my iPhone4. I tried the HDR mode this time. This setting takes three photos each time the shutter(?) is released - with one shot an f-stop ahead and one an f-stop behind the regular setting. All shots are combined, making dark spaces lighter and light spaces less washed-out. At least that's the theory. I found I liked the HDR photo better than the regular shot about 50% of the time.
I've now visited six of the seven "wonders of the world." Only the Taj Mahal to go. The Coliseum is very interesting in that it looks like every football or baseball stadium I've been to - but made out of stone. Humans and thier structures over the course of the centuries have really changed very, very little.
Being a beggar in Rome is an art form. Very old women in front of churches seemed especially adept.
Piazza del Popolo was holding a carnival with street performers. A serendipitous find during a walk.
The view from our hotel window. The building looks like Lucisu Vorenus's home from the HBO series Rome. Although, as I remember, he lived in the Aventine. We were at the Aberdeen Hotel near the Termini.
Even the hardest stone is worn down over time as the ruts in this Pompeii street prove. Keep grinding away, educators who want change.
Imperial Rome's art borrowed heavily from both the Greeks and Egyptians. Anubis, here, looks pretty good in his toga. He was at the Vatican Museum - one of the highlights of the trip.
A view of Palatine Hill from the Coliseum. Rome itself was much cleaner, greener, lovelier, and easier to navigate than I had anticipated.
Boxer of the Quirinal from the National Museum asks, 'What did I do to deserve this?" Ever had one of those days?
Can't remember which emperor it was, but he only wanted busts made of him that looked mean. I'd say he'd make a pretty good tech director.
Morning and evening light in Rome was mystical. Here saints take the morning watch from the roof of St. Peter's Basilica.
And here the fountain in Piazza Republica reflects the late afternoon rays. The models of these nymphs visited the fountain until they were well into their 90s according to a guide book.
Every fresco contained ghostly portraits of past lives. They want to speak if you want to listen.
When I was in my 30s, I distinctly remember watching from the top of Great Wall of China tour buses pulling up that contained many passengers who were too old, too decrepit to get out and climb the wall, ride the camels, and feel the air. I resolved then and there to never wait to until I retired to go to the places i wanted to see. I resolved not to see the world through the windows of a tour bus. I resolved that experiences were better that possessions. I've never regretted a single one of these resolutions.
Gluttons for punishment can find more photos here.
Rick Steves's guide to Rome was right on target with just the right amount of information. We did not hire a guide or take a commercial tour but did great. Just ask me a question!
Reader Comments (6)
Doug,
It looks like you had a fantastic time in Rome. My wife and I included Rome/Pompeii as part of our itinerary on a European getaway last summer, and had a similar experience following Rick Steves' advice - I love his guides! Through a few trips to Europe, I have appreciated having a good guide book, my own agenda, and no large tour groups. I'm hoping that will continue when I start checking out non-Western cultures.
As for your 3 rules of travel, I don't know about rule #3. I have had some great experiences with menus I can't translate by simply asking "what is the best?" However, one bad experience does come to mind from Germany that probably supports your rule: I thought I was safe with the word schnitzel after trying a few variations. However, on one occasion, I just picked a menu item without consulting the server and ended up receiving steamed veal schnitzel, served in a hot pot of water that looked bad and tasted worse. Of course, I received very little sympathy from my wife who resolutely lives by your rule #3!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures - my travel bug is starting to itch again!
Glad you had a great visit...we too stayed near the Termini this summer. Your venues looked far less crowded than we experienced in August.
Good post and great pictures!
Considering all the side trips I take in my blog, I would never criticize anyone for going off topic occasionally. Besides anyone who objects to a few posts that don't fit with the perceived theme of a site doesn't understand the original concept of blogging, writing that's supposed to reflect the personality of the writer.
Another reason your post caught my attention is that we will be traveling to Italy again this summer (assuming all the pieces come together). We will be staying on the Amalfi coast, south of Naples and won't be spending any time in Rome but still very exciting. And, unlike you, I'm going to do my best to Tweet, blog, and Flickr my way through the trip. We all have our travel styles. :-)
Thanks for sharing your trip.
Great photos Doug. I may have to upgrade my old iPhone! We visited Rome this summer so looking at your photos was a vivid reminder of our wonderful time there. Didn't you just love the Vatican Museum and St; Peter's? Even my brother was really glad I dragged them there. We free lanced as well and found it was easy. Our favorite spot was Piazza Novona. After discovering it we went each day there in Rome. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
So jealous...Although I did get my copy of the Survival Guide yesterday so I can still get my Doug J. fix ;)
Hi Brian,
Better scratch the travel itch whenever you can!
Doug
Hi Greg,
Rome was busy, but not a zoo. Weather cooperated! I love traveling off season. Lines do nothing for me. Thanks for the comment.
Doug
Hi Tim,
I'll look forward to traveling vicariously through your writings this summer.
Doug
Hi Sandra,
Glad this stirred some memories for you. I liked Rome much more than I expected. Had to re-read Angels & Demons though! Agony and the Ecstasy is in the Netflix cue as well. Yes, the Vatican Museum was incredible.
Doug
Hi J,
The experts are saying that spending on experiences brings more happiness than spending on possessions. Get the passport out and GO!
Doug