Wrapping Up

So this is the very last day I have here abroad; I'll be in the air in 12 hours. I'm finished packing, so let's wrap up my trip in photos.

First, Venice:

Il Rialto

In lieu of streets, central Venice has canals. 

Piazza San Marco

Closer look at San Marco

Diocletian and the Roman Tetrarchs, right outside of San Marco

One piece from an interesting Dali Sculpture exhibit

One other look at Venice.

School field-trip to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and Pompeii:

Bronze bust of Roman philosopher Seneca

Marble bust of Roman Emperor Caracalla

One of my favorite Roman sculptures, Hercules at Rest

In Pompeii

Me in the tour group

Someone caught in the Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE that destroyed the city.

Ancient gate and temple pedestal. 

Houses

Roman theatre

More victims of the blast

Outside Pompeii's amphitheatre

Inside the amphiteatre

A villa with ancient, pyroclasticized automobiles in the back

Now Paris:

Outer walls of the Louvre

Louvre

Fountain in the Versailles garden

A close view of Notre Dame with gargoyles

Sacre Coure

Myself and the Eiffel

Notre Dame

In Palace of Versailles

Arc de Triomphe

Discussion over coffee

Assyrian lamassu in the Louvre

And finally, a second helping of Rome:

Monument to King Vittorio Emanuelle II

Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum

Arch of Titus 

Bernini's Fountain in Piazza Navona

Inside the Forum

I wish I had something profound and deep to say about my experience, but I'm not quite focused on that now and, besides, all of the significant realizations will come after I've had a few months in California back to myself. For now, I can say it was an overwhelmingly positive experience, though not without its challenges.

Otherwise, I'd like to thank Grammy in particular for constantly checking for updates, and also apologize for not providing them.

Peace suckas.

MEGA POST pt. 1

It seems like the only thing that's gotten me motivated to do a new blog entry is having to write a paper.

So, first we have my trip to London:

Highlights of this trip include the British Museum, the Underground Subway system, and the Queen Musical. The British Museum was incredible. Imagine the history of the world, for all time, in one place. Some of the world's most important artifacts have been placed in the British Museum (after their subsequent swiping from whatever country they should be in) and amount to an extremely impressive historic display. Also, the Underground system in London is mindbogglingly complex, well organized, and humongous. I couldn't really get it all in one picture, but every hub is huge in it's own right and there are literally dozens of them. It is the only way to really traverse as much of London as is necessary (it has the largest urban area of any city in Europe). Finally, at the end of my trip, I went to a musical. Upon exploring the half off ticket options, I stumbled upon a musical for the band Queen. It seemed different and I went without expectations. But, holy Moses, that was entertaining. In short, the spectacle has ensured that I've been listening to primarily Queen for the past month and a half or so.

Pictures! 

Inside the British Museum

Houses of Parliament and "Big Ben"

Westminster Abbey

Buckingham Palace 

Inside the Underground

Natural History Museum

The Rosetta Stone inside the British Museum

Myself in Piccadilly Circus

Outside the Dominion Theatre where I saw the "We Will Rock You" Queen musical

Now my Rome excursion:

I limited my trip mostly to the Vatican City as I will be returning in April to see the Forum Romanum and the more ancient parts of the city. Thing to remember: the Church has a boatload of money.

St. Peter's Square

Michelagnelo's Pieta inside St. Peter's Basilica

The baldachino by Bernini which sits upon St. Peter's Tomb

While climing up to the top of the cupola of St. Peter's. I'm actually standing straight (as is gravitationally comfortable).  The walls curve with the shape of the dome.

St. Peter's Square and Rome from the top of the cupola

Castello di S.Angelo

Some bridge over the Tiber

Next: My recent trips to Venice and Assisi.