Rome-Italy(04/12/03-08/12/03)

Rome was the most impressive vacation I have had the opportunity to enjoy. In the beginning, the logistics of our travel plans went fairly well. We arrived at Barcelona's international airport a few hours early, checked our baggage and began our journey. We arrived in Rome just past 7 PM and made our way toward our one star hotel. After being lead around Rome's ghetto by a 12 year old girl, ascending/descending 20 or more flights of steps, we finally arrived to our rooms. I was intrigued by the room. There were random speakers, hoses hanging out of the ceiling, a number of metal switches on the wall, and all without any apparent purpose. We definitely thought we were getting monitored in our sleep. Furthermore, when I woke up the next morning as soon as I opened the door, a voice came out of the wall saying "we are ready for you to check out," in an Asian/Italian accent. After this, I noticed cameras in the hallways and more speakers. Still today, I have no clue what the speakers, hoses, or switches did in our room that creepy December night in Rome's ghetto.

The "sketchiness" of the first night prompted us to look for a place in another location. We went to "Enjoy Rome," an English center for information regarding hotels, restaurants and sites in Rome. This place was great and provided us with all the information we needed to assure us an Enjoyable Rome experience. We were placed in an apartment in a wonderful location in Rome, within walking distance to the Spanish steps, the Pantheon, and most importantly the metro station. After settling in our impressive piso we walked to the Coliseum and started our walking tour of Rome. The facts we were provided on this tour astonished me. It is difficult to imagine you are looking at something built in 17 BC, in a few cases. Located just outside the Coliseum is the Roman Forum. Excavation has uncovered the ruins of ancient buildings in this area, including the alleged place of cremation for Julius Caesar.

On Saturday, we went to the Vatican. Full of impressive museums the Vatican definitely illustrates the wealth and power of the Catholic Church. It is no wonder the Church has/had such a strong influence on the world. I have some great pictures, follow the link below.**Also, be sure to check out the quotes below from our informational tour guide. Nevertheless, included in our tour of the Vatican, we went in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Cathedral (largest Cathedral in the world). I took advantage of the opportunity to confess my sins in St. Peter's, an unforgettable experience in such a remarkable place.

And lastly, I prayed on the 26 steps, at one time used to enter a palace of Pontius Pilot. These marble steps were moved inside a building and a covering of wood and glass was built for protection. Visible stains on the steps are supposedly blood stains from Jesus as he descended the steps of Pontius Pilot's palace the day of his condemnation. I climbed the steps on my knees and prayed for my friends, family and all of our futures. So, GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!

Quotes from our Vatican tour, provided by our German tour guide:

"Hitler commissioned suicide. Saddam Hussein hasn't commissioned suicide. But maybe he should." "Red is always red. And purple, too." "Upside down and backwards, but excellent." "The calendar unites us. Whether you're friends or enemies, we all use the calendar." "The Turks invaded Europe many times, but they were always defeated. And now they want to become part of the European Union.ppphh." "The artists made it look the way they could make it look." "I don't always do anything either. But sometimes I listen...sometimes." "Normally we die, only miracles can save us." "Raphael painted this when he was 27.(she turns and looks at me and says) You're not 27 (and before I can open my mouth to give a response) Well!"

Día de Acción de Gracias- Fútbol Valenciano

In preparation for ROME, I spent this weekend in Valencia. I spent the weekend with GREAT people that I had not gone out with in awhile. Thursday night most of us went to Tony Roma's for our Thanksgiving feast. I had a great time and was the designated turkey carver after Mrs. Ransbottom fatigued. I had good intentions in serving everyone there Thanksgiving turkey and of course finding the "wish bone." The turkey was huge and we did not make much progress in devouring it. That could be partly contributed to the vegetarian that sat at our end of the table. Notice I am cutting the large turkey directly in front of him. That was not very nice, but he did not seem to mind. Regardless, we had a lot of extra turkey so I asked for a "doggie bag." I thought it would be nice to give a homeless Spaniard dinner. Of course he/she knows nothing about Thanksgiving and probably never tasted turkey before, but a meal is a meal. Typically, I am asked for money or food countless times a week, so I figured encountering someone in need of food would not be difficult. And, I was...right. On our way to a nearby bar, I failed to find a homeless man/women so I figured I would just wait until I left. However, when I arrived at the bar, Ryan, a homeless (he does not own a home in Spain) and shower-less student was suffering from turkey deprivation. He, with the help of a random dog, managed to eat all the turkey. At least it was not wasted!

Friday night, Alley, some of Alley's friends, Peyton and I chilled in Canovas. Generally everyone starts in Canovas square because the bars are reasonably priced, and then we go somewhere nicer. Unfortunately, Friday night we never made it out of Canovas. -We had a good time.

Saturday night, Alley, some of Alley's friends, JILL and I went to a soccer game. It was a great game and Valencia won 3-2. We were blessed enough to have a crowd of Englishmen around us, which made the game more interesting when it was lacking. In addition, a lot of action came from a section of the stands where fighting broke out, but riot police quickly extinguished the problem. The Spanish man sitting next to me leaned over and told me (translation) "that is the section where all the Bush supporters sit." -How would you feel if 8 billion people hated you? Anyway, practically the entire stadium stood up and started shouting "FUERA...FUERA" and at first, I have to admit I was concerned as I remembered footage of soccer riots I saw on television. However, the fans simply demonstrated their disgust for the insurgents by saying "off with you." Medics attended to a few injured spectators and the game continued without a moments delay.

A few quotes from Thomas (the Englishman) as he yelled at players:

"You cabbage." / "You're not going to score a goal with all that ballet, now are ya?" / "Don't be scared of the bull." / "Give that whistle a blow, ref." / "Good call for a blinds man" / "Three minutes extra time...no way." / (after a player falls) "ha. ha." / "the siesta's over." / "Blow that bloody whistle for Christ sake." / "Go change your fucking shirt." / "The ref's a wanker."/ "It's your time. You need it more than we do." / "You need to fucking look."

--I take it these quotes amuse me more because of how I heard them. Say them to yourselves with an English accent...it might make them a little more funny.

¡Viva Barcelona!(21-11-03 - 23-11-03)

My weekend expedition brought me to the "most European City in Spain." After a nearly three hour Renfe train ride and a journey through the subway system, I arrived on the infamous streets of "Las Ramblas." I stayed on La Rambla, a street occupied by crazy people posing as bronze/metal statues, charming angels, obnoxious chickens, evil villains and...(the list goes on).  Impressive transmogrify, nevertheless!

Friday night, the group decided to eat at the culturally diverse Hard Rock Café. I ate a cheeseburger, as did at least 4 of the 9. At midnight, to the beat of Will Smith's "Gettin jiggy with it" the servers began dancing on chairs and instructing all the customers to follow. By the time "YMCA" and "Grease Lighting" played, everyone had taken a time-out from eating and began dancing on their chairs. A fun highlight of the trip!

More fun came from my constant squabbling with the 'Impugner' of the group (a.k.a. AK). I shared a few stories and she was hypercritical of what I had to say and expressed much disbelief. I helped her distinguish between my truths and falsehoods by creating absurd stories. Ironically, after one of these fabrications she gullibly responded "really?" That confused me considering the fabrication consisted of me being an ex-pigeon catcher.

Saturday, I revisited Parque Güell. This park was commissioned by Mr. Güell and designed by my favorite artist Antoní Gaudí. Located on more than 20 acres, the park provides a surreal environment with unique architecture and awesome mosaic figures and buildings. At the main building the roof features the world's longest bench (most comfortable in my opinion, as well) and a view overlooking the city.

In addition, we went to La Sagrada Familia, which upon completion will be the tallest cathedral/temple in the world. Construction began in the late 1800s, so I am not going to hold my breath. I was able to scale a few of the towers and I have some cool pictures.

To complete the weekend, we went to Museo Picasso, home to some of Picassos paintings and pottery. (What more is there to say?)

Additional highlights:

   -BEN AND JERRYs ICE CREAM, flavor: PHISH FOOD!