POMPEII

Tom had to go to a meeting in Rome and so we decided to make a Roman holiday out of it. Rome is quite an amazing city. There are celebrated sites and ruins spread throughout the city. Can't turn around without seeing something historic or famous (or both). As always, the blogs go backwards so you should start 2 posts down, with Rome. This blog describes the last part of our time in Rome and our excursion to Pompeii. This is Tom and Diane in front of the Spanish Steps. There was a free opera concert going on with the audience sitting on the steps. The nightlife in Rome was vibrant. What fun.

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This is Diane in front of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. It was built in the 400's. Diane really enjoyed visiting the many churches in Rome during our visit. We visited here the morning before or trip to Pompeii.



Here is an image from inside. In many ways it reminded me of St. Peter's Basilica. Just much smaller (but also a 1000 years older). The alter was very elaborate, as was the ceiling and walls.



There were also several tombs of Pope's and dignitaries. This one was decorated with a skull and wings. Very interesting!



That evening we took the train to Pompeii. Almost missed the train out of Rome and then the transfer from Naples was also very close. Here in an image I took that first evening of a gate into Pompeii with Vesuvius looming in the background. Vesuvius is the volcano that destroyed and buried Pompeii almost 2000 years ago. Buried in ash, it was preserved through the ages. Pompeii was city of about 20,000 people. Walking the streets gives you get a real feeling for what the city was like before the eruption.



We were lucky to be visiting Pompeii with two Italian friends, Andrea and Cristina. They organized a wonderful overnight trip. Unforgettable.



We started by visiting the arena of Pompeii. It could hold about 20000 people. The entire population of the city. The woman with Diane is Maria, who was our guide for the tour.



In many places the original wall painting can be seen. This garden had a number of beautify art works on the walls.



The walls were painted in reds, yellows, and orange colors. Its amazing that these colors are almost 2000 years old.



Diane in one of the many restaurants lining the streets of Pompeii. They had elaborate counters and with basins built right in the counter to hold the served food. The ancient version of fast food. These restaurants were everywhere.



Here is a PG rated painting on the wall in a brothel.



Here is an image of the old Pompeii Forum. You can see how it was lined with elaborate buildings.



Here is one of the famous casts of Pompeii residents. As people died, they were covered with layers of ash. As the biological material degraded, it left a mold of the body. As the archeologists excavated, they would find these cavities, and fill them with concrete. Casts, such as this one revealed the position of the deceased. This person was clearly having a hard time breathing as they died.



This is an amazing cast of a dying dog. The cast is so accurate, it is possible to see the dogs collar. Clearly, this dog died a painful death. These casts clearly demonstrate the horror that hit the city when Vesuvius erupted.



This is a statue of Apollo in Apollo's temple located just off the forum.



This is the remains of the basilica near the forum.



This is an auditorium theater located near the center of Pompeii.



After we returned to Rome we were able to have one last gathering of friends in Rome for the meeting. When they asked if we wanted a large beer we didn't appreciate how large. But I'm not complaining. We saw many amazing things in Rome. Pieces of history that everyone knows but not everyone gets to see with their own eyes. An extraordinary experience that we will never forget. Fico (which means cool in Italian).

More Rome

Diane and I saw many amazing sites in Rome. This is a picture at the fountain of the Naiads (nymphs). It was just a short walk from our hotel.



This is a picture of dinner with friends at a restaurant near the Spanish Steps. The restaurants were so wonderful. I had a roman pizza (black olives and anchovies) at this one.



Our favorite restaurant was Al Grappolo D'oro. We were lucky to find it. It was across from our hotel and the first night we went because we were to tired to go any farther. Each time we has the same waiter, Francisco. He made some excellent suggestions. Anything with truffles was a wonder. But the best was their mixed buffet appetizer and the sea bass.



This is a nice picture of Diane at the fountain in front of the Pantheon. There is also an Egyptian Obelisk in the center of this fountain.



Diane in front of the Pantheon. It's probably my favorite site in Rome. It's the most intact ancient roman building in Rome. Gives you a sense of what it must have been like in Rome a couple thousand years ago.



Looking through the door you can see the inside of the dome and the Oculus, an 30 foot hole in the dome which allows light to enter the building.



Indulgentia plenaria perpetua pro vivis et defunctis which translates to "Perpetual plenary indulgence for the living and the dead". Big sale next week.



It's great the way the light that comes through the Oculus and illuminates parts of the Pantheon.



One of the most interesting areas of Rome is the Vatican. This is St Peter's Basilica. An enormous church and the center of the Catholic Church for the world. It is truly an amazing place. Especially when you realize it is about 400 years old.



The goal of this image is to give you a sense of how large this church is. The people in the picture reveal that the ceiling is 150 feet off the ground. An Architectural wonder.



Sunbeams coming in through windows in the central dome. Very dramatic.



THe Basilica is full of statuary. The most notable is the Pieta, by MIchaelango. It right at the entryway and potentially easy to miss as you enter the church.



Like the church itself, the statuary is also on a grand scale. Diane is provided for scale.



This is a sculpture by Bernini. I like the way it glows in the sunlight coming through the window of the Basilica.



Here is an image of Piazza San Pietro. The Obelisk is believed to have be here as a witness when St. Peter was Marytered. One of those very recognizable places in the world.



An interesting character playing with the pigeons on the Piazza. I hope he washed his hands (and arms) afterward.



A highlight of the Vatican is the Vatican Museums. We spent 6 hours there and didn't see everything. It starts with a collection of Egyptian treasures.



Next came a series of galleries with sculptures. Diane was fascinated by this granite bathtub.



We did an audio tour which explained much of the artwork



This image of a large bronze of hercules shows a number of things. From the bottom up it shows extensive mosaic on the floor. The museums were full of such artwork. Standing on the floor were very large crowds. The museums were jam packed with tourists. Sometimes there was quite a bit of jostling. I really wanted to throw a hip a few times. But I didn't. In the center of this image is the largest porphyry basin in the world carved from a single piece of granite. Quite the display of art and artwork.



In some areas the ceiling was elaborately decorated with painting and statues. This one in the map room seemed to go on forever.



In the Pope's apartments the walls and ceilings are painted by Raphael. Amazing! All these painted ceilings and walls set the stage for the most famous painted ceiling in the world.



The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by MIchelangelo. Breathtaking! Remarkable! over 500 years old. It was very chaotic and no pictures were allowed (hah). The guards were constantly running around telling people to be quiet and "no pictures". I just aimed my camera upward while it hung around my neck and snapped away. The Sistine Chapel was naturally lit making the conditions difficult. But with the sensitivity of my camera and the magic of photoshop I got some wonderful images.



This is a decent picture of part of Michelangelo'd "Last Judgement" It covers the wall above the door which is currently used as the entrance into the Sistine Chapel.



This is my favorite part of the Sistine Chapel paintings. The Creation of Adam. I like the way that god sits in clouds that look like a human brain as he reaches towards Adam. I also love the iconic hands. So relaxed and nonchalant as God reaches toward Adam to give him (and mankind) life.

Rome 2011

I had to go to Rome for a meeting and Diane came along for her first visit to Rome. The boys were with Grandma and Grandpa. Quality together time in a wonderful place. It was very hot, but the evenings were very nice. Drinking some beers in front of the Pantheon was a real joy.



The first full day I had to give a presentation at a before meeting workshop. While I was working Diane explore Rome. This is a image of the entrance to Santa Maria - Maggorie Basilica. Diane really liked it. I went back with her later in the trip. An amazing church more than a thousand years old.



Diane got the waitress to snap this shot while she was rejuvenated in front of Santa Maria - Maggorie Basilica.



Diane at the Roman Forum. We would return to do a guided tour later on the trip (see below).



The first thing we were able to do together was visit the Museum Borghese. Unfortunately, no photography allowed. In fact no cameras, cellphones, etc allowed. An amazing collection of sculptures and other treasures. We highly recommend a visit. Get reservations beforehand. Almost impossible to get in otherwise.



Having a beer in front of the Colosseum. One of life's simple pleasures.



We took a guided tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum. This was a special tour which took us into the basement and to the third level of the arena. These areas had only become accessible by tour in the past year. These organized tours are nice for 2 reasons. First, you have a guide who gives you lots of information about what you are seeing. The second thing is that you avoid standing in the long lines, which can be crazy. This is a picture of the colosseum from the adjacent area of the Roman Forum.



Diane and I in the colosseum. One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.



Looking up at the colosseum from the basement. Soon enough we would be on the 3rd level in the area in this picture.



Looking down at the basemen from the 3rd level. We had been in the shadowed region under the area covered with a wooden floor.



Diane with the Roman Forum in the background on the 3rd deck, with the Roman Forum in the background.



Diane looking into the Colosseum from the 3rd level. Another nice thing was that were were the only group on the 3rd level. Pretty mellow compared to the chaos below.



Tom taking pictures in the remains of the Roman Basilica.



Arch of Titus. The oldest Arch in Rome. Built to celebrate the victory over Jerusalem.



Some of the extensive ruins in the Roman Forum. So much history. It must have been an amazing sight in it glory a couple thousand years ago.



Arch of Septimius Severus on the right with columns of the Rostra behind.



The Trevi Fountain. Beautiful fountain in a small Piazza. Always crowded. Throw in a coin so you are sure to come back to Rome.



Just to prove we were there.