Italy

Italy is an absolutely incredible country. Words are difficult to come by when attempting to express its wonder. There is history, archaeology, arts and culture, excellent food, and very friendly people.

While I was weary of purchasing tours from random people walking up (they could plausibly take your money and run), I was glad we found some good tour guides who were able to take us around and skip lines. Somehow Zach and I managed to find ourselves in the tour group of a celebrity from New York. What were the odds of that?

The Spectacle Of Rome.AVI

The Roman Colosseum, Rome

As described in the journal entry titled,
"It Never Hurts To Ask"

As we approached, we both shared a sense of celebratory victory in finally finding it. While Zach kept his composure, I reacted like a Justin Timberlake fan-girl. The Colosseum even from a distance was enormous! Walking down the old, dusty road, I couldn’t help but imagine the Colosseum and the surrounding area in its original glory.

Spartan warriors kept the roads safe as people from all over the ancient world traveled to Rome. They came either to watch or to participate in the legendary Roman games that embodied the virtues of the empire. Whether it was watching a chariot race with great, beautiful steeds or cheering on their favorite gladiator in a fight to the death against man or beast, all came to witness the spectacle. For while a strict social class separated the haves from the have-nots, all were equally enthused by the thrill of the games.

The Pantheon.AVI

The Roman Pantheon, Rome

As described in the journal entry titled,
"They Eye Near The Ghetto"

We continued walking and entered the narrow way between tall buildings on a road that was probably just wide enough to fit a compact car though. Next we stepped out of the passage into a large square with a beautiful fountain in the center and people gathered everywhere. Beyond the fountain, standing impressively before me with huge ancient columns and the famous inscription at the top, with all the epicness of a tale worth telling, was the Pantheon.

Despite the fact that the structure was shorter than the apartment buildings surrounding it that made up the square, it was absolutely massive. It was far bigger than I had even imagined it to be. The people all around looked like mere ants in comparison. Sure, I had been there as Ezio, but being there in person, standing before it, taking it all in at once, was breath-taking. The Colosseum was obviously much bigger, but that meant you could only take in pieces at a time. With the Pantheon, you could take it all in at once — and what it had to say was quite a lot what with its shier mass and intricate detail.