So after my first three days in Rome, in which I spent time recovering a little bit from the hardcore traveling I had been doing, my friend Brenda Heaton flew in for a few days of sightseeing.
Brenda is currently living in Birmingham, England, where she has been offered the job of MY dreams, and doesn't quite know whether she wants it. Tenure upon hire? Who does that? Better yet, who thinks twice about that? (Just kidding, Brenda, [mostly] I know you've got good reasons. And I'll still marry and come with you if you want.)
Essentially, we hit up all of the major sites in Rome. So if you've been to Rome there isn't much you haven't seen, other than the beautiful people in the pictures.
Pics.
Meet Brenda.
I'm gonna pay for posting this, but I couldn't help it.
We saw the column.
I love the Vitorianna. I think that's how you spell it.
Love the sky.
Italia.
Baby Jesus statue, carved from a tree taken from the Garden of Gethsemane.
I can't get enough of this building.
Inside.
I read somewhere that black-and-whites bring out good architecture.
Thoughts?
Our tour guide was awesome.
He taught us how to be Roman citizens and look down our noses at everyone.
Smile if you love the Colliseum.
We also visited the Forum.
Love.
Love.
Random kid taking pictures in my pictures.
We got kicked out when the place closed.
Tell me the little tiny man's face isn't priceless.
Weird and awesome moving statue at the Vatican.
If I could sculpt, I would sculpt this.
Chillin.
Love.
That marble is called Porphyra.
In today's world, it takes an hour to cut a centimeter of the stuff.
Imagine how long it took dudes with a hammer and chisel.
Boo ya.
Hott.
Bird vomit.
Awesome ceiling painting.
Raise your hand if you love Raphael's color choices.
Sweet.
I had no clue "The School of Athens" was in the Vatican Museums.
I may or may not have been giddy.
That fire must have been bad news.
A not-allowed picture I took.
Another not-allowed picture I took.
This was way better than the ceiling.
St. Peter's.
I like it here.
That would get old fast. Cool suit, though.
Michelangelo's Pieta. Phenomenal.
St. Peter's is tall.
Front.
The Castle.
Bernini statues on the bridge.
I swear the one on the left is playing the guitar.
Love.
I want to fight an octopus.
Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.
I love this sculpture in particular. The pigeons top it off.
Top-10 Picture candidate for the entire fellowship.
Did I mention that the Pantheon is in Rome?
Brenda loves the temple remains. And the guy that plays dress-up for money.
Trevi fountain is bigger than I imagined.
Sweet.
Philosopher.
The twin Mary churches.
Yes, I wore my Burger King crown for a few hours.
The crowded and over-hyped Spanish Steps.
Cross your fingers.
Awesome.
I may or may not love this picture.
No idea who that girl is.
PS - I got sainted.
