rose petals
Flower vendors are a common sight in Quito, Ecuador. Flowers do not seem to be a luxury item or relegated to only special occasions. Old, young and the not-so-well-to-do could be seen carrying two dozen roses back home on Saturday morning. Continue reading
The short story on Rome is…. If you ever get a chance to visit Roma, do so! To understand Roma, it helps to realize it has been a vibrant city for over 2,500 years. Walking around this ancient city one can turn the corner and suddenly see the Roman Colosseum, Pantheon, Saint Peter’s Basilica, another statue of Romulus and Remus, or some other site we were required to study in school. Everything Rome has done seems to be over the top in excess and grandeur. For example, Trevi Fountain is so large it basically occupies the entire plaza where it was built.
We have all heard the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So my Dad asked me to find out what it is the Romans do.
Saint Peter’s Dome, View from our condo
I will leave to others to try and describe the immensity, beauty and grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and all the Vatican offers. It is simply over the top in every aspect. The guide told us that they did what they could to make it appear smaller than it is, as the size was unnerving to many who visited. There are arches and domes of differing sizes that intersect, resulting in incredibly complex architectural lines. One of the photos in the Gallery is named ‘Complexity’ for this reason. On display is Michelangelo’s beautiful Pieta, now behind glass every since a crazy man chipped off part of Mary’s nose…. Among the crowd are tourists busily snapping one photo after another, wandering around with heads always strained toward the ceiling, as well as nuns quietly experiencing the meaning of the place in silence. There is likely no more beautiful and ornate building on earth. However, I am no expert in this area as I have yet to see the Taj Mahal, Palace of Versailles and many other places, so much to see….
Continue reading