Ahhhhh..... Valentine's day. I look back, to a mere 16 years ago today, with memories of Dan and the start of our life together.
It was 16 years ago today, that Dan (being the romantic that he is at times) proposed to me.
We were both adult college students. I ,studying to be an R.N., and Dan an Engineer. We had seen each other that morning as we went our separate ways for classes, knowing we would see each other at the end of the day.
In the afternoon, I was waiting outside my Human development class with my friends, talking shop.
Just before class was to begin, I saw Dan walking towards me with a very big smile! I was surprized and happy to see him as it always lightened the day. He said he wanted to talk to me so I left the group and we walked a few feet away.
He said "Happy valentine's day" and handed me a folded piece of paper. As I opened it, I noticed it was a hand written poem (I know.....Aweeeee).
I began to read it and it was about that little mischevious cupid and his love of the sport of love! At the end of the poem it stated "With this heart that represents mine (he gave me a heart shaped diamond), I give to you my love for all of time. On this day and for the rest of my life, would you honor me and become my wife?" He then gave me a little box that contained "his heart" for me!
It's the most beautiful poem I've ever read and my hope is, it will be a poem our children, and children's children, will cherish, and possibly share with their life partners.
In 2005, a few short months before Sonja came into our lives, we went on a second honeymoon, so to speak for Valentine's day. I had always wanted to go to Rome, Italy, as I love art and architecture, and what better place than Rome! Also, being the "Eternal City", what better place to be celebrating Valentine's Day and commemorate our very special day.
We left on February 11th on a flight to Rome and came home on the 19th. It was a momentous journey and saw many beautiful and historical landmarks.
Our hotel "The Exedra". This building, along with it's sister building next door, was part of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. This was the largest Bath and could house 3000 bathers at once! It covered over 10 acres of land and had a swimming pool 32,000 square feet (can you imagine the chlorine you'd have to use, not to mention how many bathers secretly peed in there...Eeww!)! More about the baths below.
I was picture happy! The hallway, minibar and closet is just fasinating isn't it?
Looking from the hallway into our room. The huge :-) T.V. (which by the way, most hotels don't have them at all, can you believe that!) and antique (or at least that's what they said,* wink, wink*) writing desk. Come on.... I know you're fasinated.
From the window of our hotel room, you can see the Fontana della Naiadi, which caused quite the stir back in 1901 when it was unveiled (due to the nude water nymphs that grace it). On the right side is the Santa Maria Degli Angeli, now a church but once the main hall of the baths. The way you see it here, is much like it was back in 300 AD. It contained a frigidarium, pool, steam bath and coffee shop..... well.. maybe not a coffee shop but you get the point.
Street scene and picture of the back side of Santa Maria Maggiore basilica. Rome is FULL of basilica's, most of which are not just beautiful but historically significant.
On the left, you can see the sister building of our hotel.
Our hotel room was as big as many in the U.S., which most hotels rooms in Europe are very small.
Awesome linen on the bed. I wanted to take them home with us but it would have been kind of obvious to the screeners at the airport.
Frescoes from Livia's place, National Museum of Rome.
Lil' ol' me at the bottom of the "Spanish Steps". The fountain seen behind me was made by Bernini or his father. All of the fountains are fed by the aquaducts. This fountain doesn't have the flow of water that the Trevi fountain has, as you will see.
The gothic gold gilded mosaics on the ceiling in the Santa Maria Maggiore are from the 5th century, and are it's most famous feature. The picture below it looks like Caravaggio, but I'm not sure exactly. I posted this because I think it's just a nice picture. It is also said that a portion of Jesus manger is buried below the baldacchino and altar of this church. The church is also dated back to around 450 AD!
Pretty creepy. Here lies Pope Sixtus V, with a golden death mask. If you click on it, you can see just how creepy it is.
Crypts of popes, as seen high above on the wall of the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica.
Mosaics seem to be one of the main attractions of the National Museum of Rome. The one you see above is made from lapis lazuli, carnelian, red jasper, tourqouise, adventurine and jade to name a few.
The center portrait portion of this mosaic was exquisite. The pieces were maybe as big as a centimeter or two.
Tile mosaics of such great detail. Pieces smaller than a match head were used to make this. Look closely at the shading of the wave ribbon. See how it gradually fades from one color to the next, seamlessly.
A fine example of tile mosaic art. The pieces used to make te middle section where you see the human figures, were slightly larger than a match head. If you look closely, you can see that seashells were also used as ornamental trimwork.
The Piazza della Repubblica, or also called "The Exedra" ,meaning semicircular, Is what is seen in the background. The left side of it is our hotel The Exedra.
This is the Goddess Minerva, who was the head honcho of a pagan cult. This huge statue is the first thing you see when entering from the ticket booth. She's got some pretty creepy eyes doesn't she?
Statue of Octavian, better known as Augustus Caesar, famous for killing Brutus and eliminating Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
Cool cityscape picture.
The Discus thrower, National Museum of Rome
The Victor Emmanuel Monument, otherwise known as "The Wedding Cake" by many a Roman. I can see why they call it that. This monument is one of the largest buildings in Rome and portions of it can be seen from almost everywhere in Rome.
One of the 2 large fountains that flanks the bottom of the Victor Emmanuel Monument. Dan kindly posing in front (no, he's not injured just holding my cane!).
Hey Dan!!! Is that you up there? Oh yah....it is you!
Looking down from near the top of the "Spanish Steps". I'm one of the little specks on the left hand side at te bottom of the steps. The pink building on the left was where the poet John Keats died. Lord Byron lived right across the street.
The Colosseum
Trevi Fountain at night. Roman's (and most of Europe), eat their supper meal around 8 o'clock at night. After they eat, they walk around the city socializing, people watching and window shopping. You've got to be careful though because the pickpockets are all over the touristy areas, as well as the "flower sellers" that first give them to unsuspecting people then charge them up the ying yang for them!
This is La Meridiana or the meridian. It can be found in the church of Santa Maria Degli Angeli, which like i said before, is part of the Baths of Diocletian (remember... the one across the street from our hotel). If you look close, you can see a tiny hole in the brass looking ornamentation. That was the official timekeeper of Rome until 1846 when it was replaced by the cannon that still goes off everyday at noon.
The brass rod and circular markings on the floor was the other part of the Meridian that told the time, month and also for charting the movement of the stars.
Picture taken from the Victor Emmanuel Monument of Trajan's Market. Once a one stop shop for fruits, veggies and a bureaucrat or two.
Temple of Romulus
Temple of Vesta, 4th century AD, where many Romans came to worship. The flames were tended by priestesses, also known as the Vestal Virgins. In the background was the house of the famed Vestal virgins. Each virgin was chosen at the ripe old age of 6-10 years and served a 30 year term. If they remained celebate, the were given a large dowry, their very own statue, and allowed to marry. If she was found to... well..... be deflowered.... she was buried ALIVE!! Quite the deterent.
The three columns are part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the mythical twins and patrons of horsemanship.
Julius Caesar was burned on this spot. I was amazed to see flowers left here still today.
The Colosseum and Dan
Stairway leading down below the ground level of Colosseum. Maybe this is where the animals came up from?
You can see the underground pathways of the Colosseum where the animals roamed.
Trevi fountain. So beautiful and romantic at night. The water at this fountain gushes as opposed to the fountain at the Spanish Steps. The fountains at the Victor Emmanuel Monument also gushes forth with water. All of the water in the fountains of Rome is potable.
Dan sitting on ancient stone pillars at The Forum
Cool picture of the Temple of Saturn.
Me in front of a large marble Senate marker.
Hall of Busts, Vatican Museum
Death crypt of woman that has the name "Cleopatra". I wonder if it is THE Cleopatra?
Michelangelo's "Belvedere Torso", a statue of Hercules. Nice abs!
Swiss Guard, always on duty, .... and colorful too! These guys are bad a__s, but man.... it's hard to take someone seriously with those funky tights on!
Statue of Saint Peter (with kissable toe!) So many people have come here and kissed his toe, it's worn right down!
The "Holy Door" that opens only during holy years. On Christmas eve, every 25 years, the Pope knocks three times with a silver hammer, and the door opens. It is then bricked up a year later, to be opened again in 24 years.
Dan standing in St. Peter's Square with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.
Inside St Peter's Basilica. It's so massive you feel as if your an ant. The shear beauty of it made me speechless and Dan too.
Bernini's Baroque style stained glass dove window, surrounded by winged babies and angels. The Dove is symbolic of the "Holy Spirit"
I thought this was a good picture to show you just how massive these statues are.
Bernini's stained glass with "The Throne of St. Peter" which is oak encased in Bronze by Bernini. Extremely ornate, definately Baroque styling
Swiss Guard having somewhat of a casual meeting.
Michelangelo's Pieta, which he completed when he was just 24 years old! The expression on Mary's face is so lifelike. You can feel the grief of the mother's loss of her son.
Bernini's last work, the "Monument to Pope Alexander VII. It depicts the figures of Truth, Justice, Charity and Prudence.
The well of the Confessio, The crypt where the body of St Peter is said to be buried.
Hall of Maps, Vatican Museum
Raphael's tomb, the Pantheon
Looking upwards inside the Pantheon
Tomb of one of the famed Roman families.
The beheading.
Gilded coffered ceilings, Vatican
Ornately carved shutter inside the Vatican
The "Disputa" Raphael room, Vatican Museum.
" The Fire of in the Borga" room, another of Raphael's paintings, shows the Roman hero Aeneas carrying his father on his back.
Michelangleo's famed Sistine Chapel's "The Last Judgement" An interesting note... Michelangelo painted himself onto the skin held by the figure of Saint Bartholomew. Click to see the detail.
Looking upwards at the ceiling, Sistine Chapel
The Creation of Adam.
The "Tempation of Adam and Eve by the serpant" and the "Expulsion of Adam and Eve from The "Garden of Eden".
The Grand spiral staircase, the Vatican Museum.
The grounds outside of the Vatican, looking out the window. So strange coming from the extremely cold and snowy New York ,to the lush greenery of Rome, Italy
The Famous "Laocoon" pronounced lay-AWK-oh-wahn, the high priest of Troy, who warned the trojan's to Beware of the greeks bearing gifts. This sculpture is considered "superior to all other sculptures and paintings". It's made from four blocks of marble that are seamlessly pieced together.
I just thought this was a beautiful piece of stained glass, which is actually a free standing piece.Hope you enjoyed the pics! If you ever get the chance to go to Rome....GO!
One day, I hope to take the kids and see them experience it.
Well, until next time......
