So work was slow one day and i wanted to check out the Food and Agriculture Organization (cuz i might work for them one day) to visit their English library. The structure isnt so interesting and sadly I arrived when the library was not open to the public! I thought I didnt come all that way for nothing, so i snuck in past the guard and saw i must say a pathetic library compared to the ones at UW-Wisconsin. After a quick stroll through the building, I realized i had a bit of time so decided to see why one of the metro stops was called piramide. Was there in fact a pyramid? YES THERE WAS! The pyramid was included in the Aurelian Walls, and is close to Porta San Paolo. The pyramid is a funerary monument built about 12 BC as a tomb for Caius Cestius, a member of one of the four great religious corporations at Rome and is made out of white marble. The Roman Empire had conquered Egypt a few years before, in 30 BC, and the ancient culture of the new province became fashionable for a while; at any rate the tomb is unique among ancient Roman monuments. It was a nice surprise after a tough week.
Earlier this week, i had another nice surprise. I was wandering in a new part of the city and came across a beautiful church! Later i looked it up and discovered it was the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano - the oldest and ranks first among the four patriarchal churches of Rome; it is the head of all churches throughout Rome and the world. Originally the palace of Constantine, it was later adapted to serve as the church of the Pope. Not a bad discovery i must say! http://rome.arounder.com/san_giovanni_in_laterano/index.html
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2 comments:
aahhh...I love churches. I would give up almost anything to be there with my camera. I can't wait to see pictures!
Hey Girly!
Awww, I LOVE the pics you have posted below! Very nice! :) In reading your "misadventures" thus far, I would have to say that the "mis" is misplaced! :P What an unbelievable adventure! Have you met the Pope, yet? Tell him hello for me! What are the people like? What seem to be "in season" as far as fashion?
I was thinking about you when I read about the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro...big cringe on that. :/ Yea, we're feeling it back here, too, with $4.00 gas that just keeps on climbing. :( Ugh, this sucks. :(
I feel your pain with the homesickness as I went through the same thing in DC. But, then I just went out, got some fresh air, and checked out the cool monuments and felt a lot better, and it looks as though you're doing the same. Just checking out bella Roma when the opportunity calls for it.
You keep on havin' fun over there and I'll be in touch! Miss you bunches! :)
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