Day 2: Ancient Ruins

Day two, man, it kind of sucks to get up at 6:30/7:00am to go to the market and buy food to make lunch. Is this what it's like when there's no Target or Walmart??? :(
Although it is kind of fun, not going to lie.  Today we went to go see the forum, basically the capital square of Rome, where the senate used to hold meetings and where offices and palaces were. I learned about women vessels and how they were given a high position in government. Basically they came from an elite family and they were called to be virgins till the age of 30 and from there were free to do what the pleased, but if corruption were found in the, they were to be punisheed with slashes, and if engaging in sexual activity was there crime, the punishment was to dig up their own grave and be burried alive. The upside of it was that they had so much power bestowed upon them that if a citizen were to be sentenced to death, they had the authority to clear them of their charges. Although there were some severe downs to the positions, they also lived in a life of luxury. A palace of over 10,000 square feet with only six virgins to reside in them was pretty fascinating, their palace alone, was fascinating.
Oh, and we briefly saw the Colusium, it's very nice, I went on the first day with some classmates, took pictures, had a good time. But today, I kind of got lost by myself.... of the wonders of Rome!
But hey, I took the 75 and found my way back :)

Day 1: Churches

So, Rome is absolutely beautiful. Day one we visited so many churches. One church in particular caught my attention, the church of Saint Ignacio. The paintings that were painted on the cealing were incredible. It was almost 3D; actually, it WAS 3D. I looked up and there you saw the representation of Africa, America, Europe, and Asia. All one, all connected. The paintings were very vivid, they looked at you, could almost glare at you. Each one had an intense look about themselves, it was great. The other site that we visited was the Panthion. It is, one of the greatest things I have seen in my life, as I walked and turned by a corner, I was speechless. The emperor who had the monument built was emperor Hadrian, it's interesting because that is the emperor that I am doing my research project on. The Panthion represented and was a worship place for the Romans of all religions, a place for pagans.
Overall my experience on the first day was amazing and I cannot wait for what is yet to come. The streets are beautiful, people are polite, wine is tasty, and drivers seemed to not be licensed ;)

Paperwork

Today was a very frustrating day. I really dislike paperwork and have too much on my plate.
That is all.

Rome: At the Pyramid of Cestius

Todays poem was on the pyramid of Cestius. I thought it was alot easier to read than the other two from yesterday, actually, alot easier. "Whose purpose was exprest not with its first design, not till, far down in time, beside it found their rest two countrymen of mine" This section specifically caught my attention because it might be, that the purpose of the pyramid was for something else, not to store bodies of poets or others of influence. Not its original "design"
So far, the class is really interesting. I'm not a big fan of poetry, but I find it fascinating how poetry can and is interpreted. I'm sitting in class thinking, awesome here we go again. I'm going to read something I completely don't understand. But after carefully reading and analyzing it as well as receiving help from Dr. Weber, it has really opened my eyes to something else.

Poetry and video of Rome

05/15/2012


Today in class, we discussed two poems, "On the Palentine" and "Building a New Street in the Ancient Quarter" the first poem, I thought, had some beautiful lyrics to it. "And blended pulsing life with lives llong done, till the time seemed fiction, past present, and one" I interpreted it as, eventhough those who have passed are no longer with us, that life, thay joy, that laughter, that pulsing life, will continue to remain in existence in the past and present. On another note, Rick Steve's video was very entertaining. I like how he showed not only places for "educational entertainment" but also other venues such as areas that would be considered night life. I hope that on my trip to Rome, I will be able to experience the culture, what it is like to have been from the time where the now consirered ancient stones, were freshly marbled. I am a big history fan, I read it on my free time or whenever possible, it's funny because I actually did alot of research on the Roman Republic before ever having to have registered for the course. There is never a sense of loss of time in learning when gratification knocks at the door.