Post by Kim on Dec 31, 2003 10:42:08 GMT -5
Well the day did not progress as planned, but that is okay....spur of the moment plans are often the best when on the road aren't they?
The opera last night was wonderful! One of my favorites and a joy. Teatro Argentina is a beautiful theater and it seemed magical to be there. Spent a goodly part of the intermission trying to explain to some other Americans what was going on, a very brief libretto was provided and they were trying to over detail the story instead of taking it at face value as it was meant to be. Would like to think they enjoyed the rest of it much more, just listening to the emotions and taking it at it's most basic emotional level.
Had a wonderful walk back to the hotel....there is no fear in me to walk alone in Rome at night, a most comfortable city indeed. Had a longer wait at the Vatican Museum than I anticipated owing to a late night and a later start than planned. But the wait was just over an hour and well worth it finally see the Sistene Chapel once more. Everyone, eveyone should see this for themselves once before they leave this earth. Mesmerizing indeed. About 5 hours there in the museum and then over to the bascillica. OH MY! I felt such sadness for those visiting for the first time. 'Set up' for mass I assume, but the magesty and wonder of the place totally destroyed. Wooden walls, fabric walls, closed off areas everywhere. No way at all to get the sense of the sheer size of it, side aisles\chapels totally blocked from view, small aisles made around the outer edges to direct traffic in, around, and out. Nothing, nothing like the immense scope it offers when not designed for the 'masses' of worshipers. Do not plan to visit this when any sort of holiday high mass is planned. It looks so small and crowded and not at all as it normally does. Sad. And thankful I have seen it in it's natural state.
Can not believe the crowds in Rome right now. Was here at the last couple of weeks in January previously and this, right now at the holiday season is amazing. The Americans, the Japanese, the Italians! The crowds! And this is winter! Here before just after 9\11 when an American voice was not to be heard....now it seems I am dropped into an American city. Good news I suppose in that it shows Americans are traveling again....but I was spoiled last time and felt I had the city to myself. Surely not so this trip. And if it is like this now...good lord what must summer be like!!
One more full day here, to include the New Years Day concert and then train back to Venice for 4 more days. Plan on 2 or 3 day trips by train from there to nearby cities and then fly home to Atlanta. Hard to believe it has gone by so quickly and is nearly over. Next trip....southern Italy and Sicily which I have yet to see......it's addictive you know, this travel bug....not even done with this trip and already planning the next one!
It's New Years Eve.....health, happiness and love to all...and be safe tonight!
ging
The opera last night was wonderful! One of my favorites and a joy. Teatro Argentina is a beautiful theater and it seemed magical to be there. Spent a goodly part of the intermission trying to explain to some other Americans what was going on, a very brief libretto was provided and they were trying to over detail the story instead of taking it at face value as it was meant to be. Would like to think they enjoyed the rest of it much more, just listening to the emotions and taking it at it's most basic emotional level.
Had a wonderful walk back to the hotel....there is no fear in me to walk alone in Rome at night, a most comfortable city indeed. Had a longer wait at the Vatican Museum than I anticipated owing to a late night and a later start than planned. But the wait was just over an hour and well worth it finally see the Sistene Chapel once more. Everyone, eveyone should see this for themselves once before they leave this earth. Mesmerizing indeed. About 5 hours there in the museum and then over to the bascillica. OH MY! I felt such sadness for those visiting for the first time. 'Set up' for mass I assume, but the magesty and wonder of the place totally destroyed. Wooden walls, fabric walls, closed off areas everywhere. No way at all to get the sense of the sheer size of it, side aisles\chapels totally blocked from view, small aisles made around the outer edges to direct traffic in, around, and out. Nothing, nothing like the immense scope it offers when not designed for the 'masses' of worshipers. Do not plan to visit this when any sort of holiday high mass is planned. It looks so small and crowded and not at all as it normally does. Sad. And thankful I have seen it in it's natural state.
Can not believe the crowds in Rome right now. Was here at the last couple of weeks in January previously and this, right now at the holiday season is amazing. The Americans, the Japanese, the Italians! The crowds! And this is winter! Here before just after 9\11 when an American voice was not to be heard....now it seems I am dropped into an American city. Good news I suppose in that it shows Americans are traveling again....but I was spoiled last time and felt I had the city to myself. Surely not so this trip. And if it is like this now...good lord what must summer be like!!
One more full day here, to include the New Years Day concert and then train back to Venice for 4 more days. Plan on 2 or 3 day trips by train from there to nearby cities and then fly home to Atlanta. Hard to believe it has gone by so quickly and is nearly over. Next trip....southern Italy and Sicily which I have yet to see......it's addictive you know, this travel bug....not even done with this trip and already planning the next one!
It's New Years Eve.....health, happiness and love to all...and be safe tonight!
ging