Roma vs Cairo

Having been here three weeks now I've been trying to figure out Rome a bit more, I expected that Rome might feel a bit like Paris but I'm more reminded of Cairo.
I think this is partly the fact that there is so much around that is absolutely ancient.

In Cairo the Pyramids loom on the horizon where the city meets the desert.
In Rome, the Pantheon is slightly hidden as its quite low and seems to appear suddenly around the corner

Pantheon

Amazing.
I feel like there's a bit too much in Rome.
a bit too much to see and experience and take pictures of.
I did love going to the Pantheon though. I felt that even in the midst of all the hundreds of people swarming around me, looking and taking pictures that I was able to experience being there.
Its an engineering marvel that the dome can stand without the central circle in tact. The intricate pattern on the ceiling also helps the roof be lighter than usual.
I've been a couple of times, nice place to sit and ponder

Climbing trees and flying

Back in August I went for a very scary day trip with some college friends.
We went to a Go Ape centre, there are quite a few places all over the UK where you can do this. They give you a harness and a brief description of what to do and instructions on how to stay safe and then let you out to play in the trees.
The woods are public land so lots of people are there walking or jogging and watching the crazy people in the trees.
I am absolutely scared of heights and took a good twenty minutes to do the first obstacle but it got easier in terms of my fear as we went on.
It was so nice to spend the day having a real proper adventure!

Angels

Are all around us
At least in Rome!

Ostia Beach

A week ago we spent a day at the beach- it was pretty busy but nice to be in a different place.
A lot of Italians won't swim in the sea here because the water is a bit murky and the sand quite dark and pebbly- I have no such qualms and will happily swim anywhere there is relatively clean water and sunshine

Gelato

I'm eating it every day!
This was banana flavour bought on my way to the Vatican, I was very pleased that this enormous pile of ice cream only cost me 2 Euros

Yesterday I went to this highly recommended geltari, San Crispino, its mentioned in my guidebook several times as the place to go. Its also featured in Eat, Pray, Love she goes back three times.

I had Ginger and  Cinnamon ice cream with Black Fig sorbet yum yum!!

details

Things just seem  fancier when you're somewhere new.

I know its partly the "exotic" feel of being different to what I'm used to being surrounded with, but I love seeing new and beautiful things around me.

Rome is particularly fancy looking though

 

 

I loved these pigeons sitting in the shade away from the midday heat

Spanish Steps

I love and hate touristy spots.
I really like people everywhere and colours and guessing what country people are from before hearing them speak, but I also like a bit of peace and quiet and things not to be incredibly overpriced.

This girl was sat reading peacefully right in the middle of the steps in the sunshine while people surged around in the shadier part

Rome

I had some time by myself on Sunday and went wondering and wandering around the centre of Rome.
Felt very exciting and fancy.
Internets a bit unreliable here or I'd post more pictures

howdy

well that wasn't very successful was it?
this summers been a bit here and there really
moving back to the town I grew up in and then spending time here and there visiting friends and having adventures.

 Here is a picture from the main stage at the Manchester Mela back in July
I've now arrived in Rome where I'll be spending the next two months working as an au-pair for a family here, the children are still on holiday until next week but I'm hoping that I can get into a pattern of posting when I have free time.