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Rome (18/1/08) (best you don't let Grandma read th

It’s like a turf war has broken out between two of the tour factions - the teachers and the country boys. I am yet to hear any specific details, and I’m not really involved in either of the groups, so it would be kind of presumptuous of me to comment, but it seems to make the group dynamics interesting. I think a lot of people have been rather childish about a lot of what’s going on, it’s all very high school.

My Venice entry was kind of dull, sorry, I thought that I might touch it up when I publish it, but it didn’t really improve. The gist of it was that I have become phlegm central and am incapable of hearing or smelling in any meaningful way.

Rome was undeniably spectacularly amazingly incredible. It’s really kind of indescribable if you haven’t been there before. We drove into Rome in the afternoon, and it was pelting down with rain. It didn’t really matter, we ended up with some nice weather yesterday afternoon. We drove straight ino town, started Chad’s little walking tour at the Spanish Steps (so named because they used to lead to the Spanish Embassy) and down to some terribly overrated fountain of Bernini’s. (apparently a feature in Angels and Demons, whilst we’re on the topic of overrated) and then through the spectacular sights of Rome. The Pantheon was incredible, it just kind of popped up out of this square of restaurants and other residential buildings. I was rather taken abak, it was almost like it had to be a replica or something, as though how could the Pantheon jst be sitting there, chilling out in a square. Inside was pretty amazing, too, though rather churchy. It’s a pity that the original indoors couldn’t have been retained, although it’s because the indoors were sacrificed that the entire edifice still exists. What’s with the Vatican’s need to destroy everything? They had to mutilate or tear down everything pagan, and that makes me sad. The pagans really had all the good stuff worked out. Then the rigid as anything Christians come along and outlaw anything fun or exciting. (I do realise the pagans persecuted Christians before Christianity became law.) How did such a ridiculously unfun and anti-good things in life religion gain such a foothold in Europe? No wonder there were the Dark Ages not long after Constantine called the fun police.

The Colosseum was pretty damn cool, too. At night, all lit up (in the rain) it was rather impressive. The following day, we went inside at the end of the tour through the forum, and it was so worth it. The forum and the Colosseum were extra impressive for having done the ancient Rome course (who knew my degree would be so helpful for travelling through Europe?) although I regretted taking it at the time. This trip has really brought a new appreciation for what I’ve studied, I’m really glad that I took it at the end of my degree rather than the beginning. The forum tour was good, too, but not amazing. The ruins are stunning in their own right, it would have had to be an amazing tour for me to appreciate them more than I already did. I was just so taken aback by the Colosseum, completely overwhelmed by this incredible building that was built by people who had long turned to dust and will continue to stand long after I’m gone. It was a spinout, to put my hand on stone that was worked by people who lived nearly 2000 years ago.

On the other hand, our hotel was a total dive. I’ve never been in such a weird hotel. It was a creepy, 70s style someone-is-going-to-be-murdered kind of apartment with a separate bedroom, plus a kitchenette (but no plates, pots, pans or anything) and the weirdest bathroom ever. The ceiling went down on a slope (we were on the top floor, so it was following the roof) and there was an apparently non-flushing toilet - eventually it was discovered that the cistern was about three feet to the left on the bowl.

We checked out the Vatican Museum, as well. The highlights included a giant angry Pacman, a lot of naked men either completely divested on penises or covered with a very conspicuous leaf, and Annaleis and Meilz sticking their fingers up some guy’s nose. It wasn’t a bad museum, really, it just became hard to appreciate by the end. Mick got some sneaky footage of the Sistene Chapel (or the Sixteenth Chapel, depending who you ask) and Annaleis acted as a spectacular tour guide to get us through the “secret” entrance to St Peter’s Basilica where you didn’t have to wait in line. Lucky no one actually cared, because I don’t think anyone believed that four people make a tour group, with a tour guide whose extent of knowledge was...um...vast...?

My dreadlocks are on the improve...I bought some super conditioner in Munich, and although I had no idea what the label said because it was in German, it seems to have helped somewhat. When it gets healthier I guess I’ll hit up the brown dye, but as soon as I’m back home I’ll be straight back into the blonde again...

Anyway, onwards to Florence, via Pisa, for some fabulously convoluted pictures...hope you’re all well, feel free to offer me some love…