For the Love of History

Beside the Colosseum lays the ancient ruins of Rome (I had accidentally said is this the ruined ruins? Leading to "Roaming Rome"... LAME). Part of me now thinks that our conversation took up a little bit too much of my attention! I actually acutely remember singing Brooke Fraser's Lead Me to the Cross, but remember some of the sights that I have captured with my camera less clearly... Need to reflect on that a little, perhaps?

From the Colosseum

Walking from the entrance to the Forum

Photodump! Do you wonder what it used to look like?

Parts of the ruins had been ruined destroyed by the construction of the road that leads up to the Colosseum. 

The Terracotta Warriors was paying a visit in the Roman Ruins. Couldn't figure out why because it didn't say (in English anyway) what the purpose of the exhibit was. The whole exhibit was of ancient Chinese arts. There were a few small exhibits of Italian sculptures that had presumably stood in the ruins area.

From the ruins, we proceeded to the next attraction.

I had written about the Vatican City last week, this week it's about the Vatican Museum, which we had a little trouble finding... It was late by the time we got there, and it was quite a rushed tour through the building to see all the masterpieces that reside within the walls of this "country". One of the things we really wanted to see was the staircase that graces the page of the Rome Wikitravel page.

View from a window at the Vatican Museum, nearing sunset.

There this patio looking area that looks out to St. Peter's Basilica. Because of the gorgeous weather and the time of day we visited, this generally beautiful sight was coupled with the perfect lighting, creating one of the most picturesque scenes of this trip.

Thank goodness I brought my beloved camera with me.

Oh such grandeur! The exquisite craftsmanship cannot be matched today.

As we were admiring the artwork, a staff member of the museum warned us that the Sistine Chapel was only going to be open for another 30 minutes. At this point, we abandoned all the other less known pieces and ran to the Sistine Chapel (I was intent on visiting it). Unfortunately, no photos were allowed and I felt like abiding by the rules. It was somewhat noisy at times, with a guard periodically whispering "shhh" as loudly as he can manage. Would've appreciated a quieter atmosphere, alas, it's one of the most famous tourist attractions, so what can you do?

And the staircase! It looks better in natural light, but I had decided for us that the photo could wait for the end of our tour around the museum (sorry travel buddy!!). Plus, I don't have a good angle on it, so it looks kind of flattened. 

Only half a day of Rome left! Oh this visit was too short.

By fishii with 3 comments

Pope Merchandise Anyone?

Picking up from the Vatican City...

While in St. Peter's Basilica, we were bombarded with photos of the current Pope. I was somewhat amazed at how much of a celebrity the Pope is, and somewhat confused as to why there needs to be so many products with the Pope's face plastered on it... I confess I did not know what the Pope looked like prior to my expedition to the Vatican.

Well, now I know.

(Un)fortunately, I didn't take any photos of the merchandise.

Moving onwards from the Vatican, we proceeded to Castel Saint Angelo (I think?), which was topped with a statue with a rusting sword.

You can't really see the rusty sword, but it would've glimmered if it's not rusty, right?

This castle gives a pretty good view of the Vatican City. It's not a tall building, but everything else in Rome are pretty close to the ground. At night, the street lamps shimmer on all sides of the castle. Since it's a little quieter than the streets below, I remember it as a relaxing stroll. As these memories distance themselves from me, I can't tell you how much accuracy there is in my statements.

Afterwards, I got my first gelato in Rome! It was so good that I got one the next day, and two days after... Many many gelatos to contribute to my weight gain.

The Ruins

On the way to see the Coloseum, we stopped by the ruins for a somewhat spooky photo at night... took many shots to get the lighting "right". My photography skills need some nurturing!

After seeing the Coloseum at night, we returned again in the day for a look of the inside. Did it look bigger from the inside? I think it did, but will need my wonderful travelling companion to remind me... My memory has failed me. Regardless, it was a little surreal to step foot into such a historical site. It was rebuilt, though, wasn't it. Again, my memory fails me, Wikipedia to the rescue (when I have time)!

Roman soldiers still patrol the Coloseum!

It's amazing, isn't it, that Roman soldiers still take posts there? *You can imagine me falling out of my chair from laughing how lame my joke is here* The line outside the Coloseum is long, as advertised everywhere. We decided to pay for the audio guide to "queue jump", though we didn't pick the guide up because there was a line for that as well (I think it was an extra €4?). It must've saved us about 30 minutes? Can't remember that either. Memory deteriorates too quickly. Perhaps the guided tour would've been interesting?

Guess Rome requires a part 3 post. Stayed tuned if I haven't bored you out of your mind yet. It's just fun for me to reminisce.

By fishii with 2 comments

Roma, Roma-ma

I had to, Lady Gaga was playing in my head way too much when I was in Rome, just ask my poor travel buddy!


My flight to Rome from Eindhoven was cancelled courtesy of horrible weather, so I embarked on a 20 hour train ride instead. From Eindhoven, I took the train to Venlo, then Düsseldorf, to Mannheim, Basel, Arth Goldau, Milano, then finally Roma. I was completely washed over with relief when I saw my travel buddy at the train station. I'm glad I made it all the way to Italy.

Republica after the rain, sort of.

Strangely enough, I found Rome to be extremely charming in the rain, at night. The lights reflected off the cobblestone roads, and the city almost seemed a little quieter than the other nights. Perhaps I'm unconsciously adjusting this memory now that I'm no longer there?

a nameless side street

I can't remember that well anymore, I guess I waited a little too long to write this, but I've always been a fan of the view after the rain lifts.


Rome was a busy city, the cars rushed about on the roads, seemingly sparing little thought for the pedestrians. Sometimes it was difficult for me to cross the street, but I've never been gifted in that department. There were always crowds of tourists at the attractions, taking a photo became such a difficult task at times! Lucky December is the slow season for tourism in Rome, I can't imagine trying to manoeuvre my way through even larger crowds!

St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City

We actually visited Vatican City on a Sunday morning, greeted by the most beautiful weather. Strangely enough we found no queue to go through the security check for St. Peter's Basilica, but a huge crowd standing in the square looking up. We rushed into the security check area moments before we heard a roar of applause, followed by a booming voice speaking in, presumably, Italian. Attempts at trying to attach a face to the voice were unsuccessful, and so we waved the pope off as "just another celebrity" and made our way into the Basilica.

Looking out from St. Peter's Basilica

I honestly would not recommend paying for the audio guide for St. Peter's. Yes, it provides a lot of information and insight, but for however much we paid, just thought it wasn't worth it. In fact, I found the audio guide to be a little long winded. Plus, there was a time limit of 2 hours. I'm sure the whole program was longer than 2 hours (I stopped after track 6, I think...).


Not sure if I found the Treasury to be worth it, but that's personal preference.


We proceeded to climb up the Dome (costs €5 to walk all the way, and €7 if you want to walk only part way), which proved to be worth every Euro cent. The top of the Dome provides a panoramic view of the city.

Thank God for wonderful weather.

Sleep beckons, next part of Rome to come soon.

By fishii with 2 comments

the daily life of an exchange fishii

I've had this post prepared for months without photos loaded... a bit late, but just thought it's something I wanted to record...

Though I'm sure most of you have seen my food album on Facebook, here's the link to the album for those who don't have Facebook!

Anyway, I thought it might be good for me to post something about the daily life of an exchange fishii here in maastricht... So here's a day in fishii's exchange life!

Generally I wake up at around 10, except when I have 8:30 classes...

After breakfast, I bike to school on my trusty bike! I found a basket to ease grocery shopping... but don't have a photo of it even at the end of the exchange... I love my bike and I'm sad I'll be parting with it!

I arrive at the fancy School of Business and Economics (SBE) for my classes. I love the lime green accents!

Sometimes before I cook I need to go grocery shopping. I generally shop here...

[I seem to have lost my photo of Albert Heijn...  Ahh I do miss it...]

Or at the open air market.

Come back to my dorm and prepare lunch / dinner, depending on what time class is...

But you've already seen what my food looks like.

Then I sit at my desk and do my readings because school here is a pain in the butt. Actually have to do the readings...

Sometimes I get bored and chat with people across the hall or my roomie. Sometimes I go on Youtube =.=;;

Then I go to bed at around 12!

There you are, a snapshot of my day =D

By fishii with 1 comment