Finalmente: Roma!

As I have aforementioned, I did not take many photographs as one would expect in Europe. But I did take many more in Roma than I did the other places. I have to admit that I had a rather difficult time scraping up the courage to look at these photos. A part of me didn't want to mutate the image of my mind of Roma with actual images of Roma. Nonetheless, I feel a longing that I cannot put into words when I see these photographs. I am in love with La Città Eterna. But this you already know from my previous blog about Roma. So here I am exactly 40 days later after leaving Roma posting these images and without further ado, my version of Roma, in chronological order (except for the last image):

First things first, Musei Vaticani

Don't ask me why but I love photographing police officers. Remember the one I took in Masachapa?

Can you see my reflection?

Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano

I climbed stairs...and then more stairs but I eventually got to this...

the ceiling inside the Basilica and I also saw this...

Piazza di San Pietro

Seeing the city from so high above was so amazing. I could see many of the famous spots of Roma.

The best shot I got of Pietà

La Fontana di Trevi

The fountain that has shaped my childhood dreams.

During the day...

and at night. Yes, I went twice. Actually, I went four times!

Il Colosseo

La Porta Portese

The Roman flea market and I found many treasures that I brought home with me.

He was the most interesting character that I met in Roma. He would not let just anyone buy his stuff. I don't understand why but he was extremely particular to who could even look at the vintage photographs that he was selling. I was part of the lucky few allowed to get near. I bought some amazing vintage photos for €20.

Yes, all of this was for sale.

Leaving the Fiumicino Airport (again) after a missed flight

La strada: compilation of shots while roaming the streets of Roma

Piazza Venezia

I love the look of this man. I love and hate this McDonald's sign but then again, it is the very spirit of Roma that I love: the clash of the ancient with the modern.

Behind the Pantheon

Piazza Navona

And now, my absolutely favorite photo of Roma. It symbolizes all that I love about Roman culture and its inhabitants. If I think one photo I took can portray the spirit of Roma the way I see it, this one would be it.

Manco Roma...ma presto bellissima, siamo insieme.

Italia: Castelfranco di Sopra, Siena, and Firenze

Ok, so if you think it's bad that I only took a few photos in Amsterdam, you are going to be disappointed with the results in these three beautiful cities. Castelfranco di Sopra was not exactly the village I was staying in while I was in Toscana but it was pretty darn close. I have to say that the countryside in Italy was absolutely relaxing and the village of Castelfranco di Sopra was exactly was I always imagined a tiny Italian village to be like. Thank you to my friend Andrea, who allowed me to stay at his vacation rental there. I loved exploring this provincial landscape and it was a great opportunity for me to speak Italian because no one in this village knew how to speak English (at least who I spoke to). 

Lucky for me, Andrea was my tour guide in Siena and Firenze. In Siena, I learned a little about its history and the famous horse races that take place each summer. When we got there it was night time and I didn't have a tripod :( but I still think you can see the beauty of the architecture of Piazza del Campo. In Firenze (Florence to us in the English speaking world), I visited the Uffizi which has some the most famous Italian Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque pieces. I got to see my favorite paintings, Primavera and The Birth of Venus, from my favorite Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli. I also visited Galleria dell'Accademia where I finally saw the real statue of David by Michelangelo. Yes, Firenze is filled with art! I finally got to see all those infamous works of art that I have learned about in my art history courses.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see everything I wanted to see but I figure it's ok because something tells me that it will certainly not be the last time I am in Toscana. I hope you enjoy the few photos I have of this beautiful region.

I love these random religious figurines located along the road.

An old abandoned elementary school building

Piazza del Campo

Andrea

Firenze

I thought this was so cute and I had to photograph it. It says, "Genio, I really hope that one day I can show you this dedication...and we can laugh about it...together."