The Ancient Rome

It has been one month since my trip to Italy but the memories remain still. Overall, the Italy trip was a blast, quite surprising, exciting yet challenging. I was worried about culture shock of a new language, new locations, and new food. But it was fine, particularly in language part, it was way better than my trip to Korea last year. Italians, moreover in north Italy (like Milan, Venice), they speak English well. The food overall was very good and close to what a lot of high end Italian places serve in the states, and since it was a vacation it was pretty easy to slip into the relaxed Italian lifestyle.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

The best thing about travel is to always learn something new everyday. When you already get used to using public transport in one city and master the city map, you should move on to other city or even country. You will never stay in your comfort place. You have to always learn and adapt. That's the way we should live in this world as well, right?

You will missed a sunshine in 4 weather countries. You will remember how you always complaining about the hot-summer all time-weather in your country, and here you will be grateful that you don't have to face a cold weather at least 2 seasons in a year. Travel teach you to be grateful of what you have.

Happiness radiant like a fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.

ROME

We flew to Rome from Amsterdam in the first day we arrived. We spent some time in Rome because they have a great deal of relics from the original Roman Empire and many other sights and famous buildings in a pretty small section of the city center.

My first night spent in AirB&B near Tiburtina station, only 10 minutes walk down from the station. The host and his girlfriend, were very nice and friendly. They even cooked dinner for me. As always, having an apartment was great because we could eat whatever we wanted for breakfast and come and go as we pleased. I have to mention while we had a small grocery store nearby, the best pasta and pizza I’ve ever purchased came from a random convenience store near our apartment.

with the host.

The next day, we went to Vatican. The ancient sites are really pretty spectacular and it was hard to even grasp the time period in regards to our own lifespans.

St. Peter Basilica

Life is too short to be living somebody else's dream.

The St. Peter Basilica, Vatican City

Vatican city is famous as the place of residence pope and the Apostolic Palace became the official residence of the pope. Apostolic Palace complex is very spacious, consisting of government agencies other than the Catholic Church, papal apartments, there is also a museum and library Vatican. The complex consists of 1000 rooms.

I found it hard to make sense of looking at a building completed 1900 years ago and thinking how it survived through such massive political, social, cultural, and even atmospheric changes. And the Vatican was pretty incredible. The art was amazing and the massive cathedral was impressive

After Vatican, we went to the most popular site in Rome, the one you shouldn’t missed when you were there.

Coloseum Front View

It was said Coloseum which was built on the orders of the king of Vespasian, was once the site of the massacre or gladiator arena. Hundreds of years ago thousands of people and animals become victims of show. Various events held here such as the fight between animals, custody battles and fights between gladiators. Indeed, in the area seem to be some people wear armor like warriors of the past.

The original name of this Coloseum is the Flavian Amphitheatre. According to a source Wikipedia, the building is included in the sixty-ninth wonder of the world and become one of the middle of the greatest works of architecture of the Roman Empire ever built. Coloseum can accommodate 50,000 spectators.

Coloseum Inside

The arena floor coated by sand, so the blood did not go anywhere when the fight is held. Coloseum is located on the Piazza del Colosseo. You can use metro to get there, and be amazed with the huge ancient building when you first step your foot outside the metro station.

Also you shouldn’t missed Roman Forum and Palatine Hill nearby Coloseum, it used to be a small village when Roman people lives.