Western Europe: Italy (part 3)

Ciao!

These last few days have been crazy.

Seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence was amazing! Pictures do not do this work of art justice. Seeing it in person really conveys how bold and bigger than life Michelangelo wanted the subject to appear. Its almost indescribable. Although they didn't allow pictures, I risked confinscation of my camera for a few covert snap shots. Looking back, it was probably pointless as it wouldn't be the same as viewing it in person. Still, I now have the evidence that I was there.

We arrived in the heart of Rome yesterday afternoon, and it's been non-stop stimulation ever since. This city is crazy as it evokes every emotion possible: confusion, adoration, disgust, wonder, sad, happy and list goes on. Italians are definately a different breed of people. They work on their own time frame as you cannot count on posted hours of the local shops. They are friendly with an attitude. They are both confident and laid back. When they say "ciao" (pronounced 'chow') it seems to roll off their tounge like buttah. When men wear sports jackets here, they're above having their arms through the sleeves as they just let the garmet hang off the shoulders like a cape. In fact I saw a guy doing that this morning with a neon yellow taxi vest.

Yesterday we toured the ancient ruins of the Colosseum and the Forum with our wonderful local tour guide, Franchesca. Today we spent our morning touring the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and our early afternoon in St. Peter's amazing cathedral, which was friggin' enormous. I was excited to see Michelangelo's Pietà in person (in aforementioned cathedral), as it is one of my favorite works by the famed artist. In case you're not familar with this one, the sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the deceased Jesus Christ in her lap. It is so amazingly intricate (even in the photos), and I still wonder how he chiseled the delicate folds in Mary's robe without the marble cracking. Amazing.

On a side note, I'm almost burnt out on pizza and spaghetti and can't wait for French food later in the tour.

So until next time....

Good times!