Rome, the eternal chaos

Rome - the eternal city, built on seven hills, and definitely wasn't built in one day.

Arriving in Rome from organised super modern Germany was a bit of a shock. I've been to Italy before and have known the Latinate laid back ways from previous visit. The Termini station's chaos actually reminded me of the station in Beijing. The throngs of people moving in different directions around me was disorientating. The shouts, the heat, the beggars, the rush. But on the other hand, the weather was beautiful and leaving the train station I saw a huge Roman ruin and remnants of the city wall. So I was eager to explore Rome.

About 2000 years ago they built this.

One of the triumphal arches in the Roman Forum

Colloseum was the natural first stop in Rome but the entrance ticket was so expensive I didn't get an audioguide. I regretted this later because there was so much going on inside the Colloseum and the nearby Roman Forum; you need some explanation so for me it was almost like staring at meaningless marble blocks. There is a museum within it but it was more like someone's 3000-page dissertation spread into the walls. It would've been dark when I finish it. So I skipped it altogether after reading few wall panels. But the building was so inspiring for me. The structural engineering was amazing (lol I can't help it). Images went through my head as I was looking at the complex theatrical systems, the stories of the Roman emperors and gladiators.

The Roman Forum

Piazza Navona was built around the ancient Roman circus.

My grandma had told me about her travels in Rome when she was doing her Eurotrip when she was a student so going to Rome almost felt like some sort of pilgrimage to the visions that she had put into my head. Especially true was the Spanish steps, no more than a public area with steps going up to a hilltop church but it was her stories that made it a special place for me. I can't wait to get back to Malaysia and tell her that I've been there too!

The Trevi Fountain

Throw one coin into the Trevi Fountain, and you'll return to Rome. Second coin will make your wish come true. But if you're unconvinced by this, you can be rest assured that at least the money will go to the Red Cross.

Millagros the Venezuelan, Ellen the Shanghainese, Ihsan the Malaysian

Piet Mondrianesque pigeon feeder

The dome of the Pantheon

In front of the Pantheon. A childhood dream come true!

The Spanish steps.

The steps overlooking the posh shopping street.

I love the fact that you can get drinking water all over Rome for free! And it's icy cold.

The whole city is overrun with the military police, the carabinieri. They are definitely not to be fucked with. I saw them beating up a homeless guy near the train station. I was told by an American guy that this is all to do with the recent controversy by Berlusconi. I haven't read the news for so long now, it seems like there are so many crazy events that just happened (tsunami, earthquake and now Nobel Peace Prize to Obama for doing nothing and waging an illegal war).

The Vatican

The extremely sumptuous interior borders on being profane but then again this is the most important church in Christendom.

The scale, luxurious materials and light are extraordinary.

Priest.

Nuns in the collonades.

Like Berlin, it takes a lifetime to properly explore Rome. It's a multifaceted and fragmented city, each area has its several layers of history and each building is a mask of an older one. It's very difficult to properly understand the city as a tourist especially if you only have few days.

I really enjoyed Rome and one day hopefully I'm going to come back.