Thursday, July 1, 2010

Rome Sweet Rome

This city truly does not require an introduction. It is one of the most popular cities in the world that attracts millions of tourists every year.

I felt like I was walking down the streets of Ancient Rome and it felt like I would bump into people in their togas.
The Pantheon, the famous temple dedicated to all the gods of Ancient Rome.

The tomb of one of the most well-achieved men in history, Julius Caesar.

The Gate of Death inside the Colosseum which led to Spoliarium where the corpses of the gladiators who were mercilessly killed in the arena were stripped of their armour and weapons.


The legendary Trevi fountain. This picture simply does not do justice to this 85 feet Baroque fountain. It is located at the conjunction of three roads, hence its name Trevi (tre vie meaning three roads). The local myth holds that if you throw a coin in the fountain, you are guaranteed to return to Rome.

I dare say Colosseum is the symbol of Italy just like the Eiffel tower is the symbol of France. It was a place of entertainment in the ancient Rome where thousands of people watched gladiators as they fought animals and other gladiator.

Vatican City

The legendary Vatican guards!


Spanish steps: The first time I heard of this place was on America’s Next Top Model. Without a doubt, this place was a central place for fashion designers and models. Right across from the steps was a row of top notch designer stores such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Bvoulgari, Louis Vuitton and many more.


I even saw some girls dressed up in nice designer clothes, heels, and sunglasses, waiting to be discovered by potential agents. This small area was very full of life and I hope to shop here next time I come back!

Our last destination in Rome was not a very well known one. Cappucine monks were a group of friars in the 16th century whose skeletons got turned into a funeral art. This is where the name of the coffee “cappuccino” originated from, possibly referring to the colours of their habits and their white heads surrounded by a ring of brown hair.


I still remember a motto written on one of the tomb stones placed alongside with a skeleton with skin still attached to it: “What you are now we used to be, what we are now you will be.” It gave me a surge of body chills. Sometimes I feel like I am too caught up in working towards my goal that I overlook the beauty and joy of living everyday life. Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!)