Florence and Pisa

A few weeks ago we took a weekend trip via train up to Florence and Pisa. It was about a 4 hour train ride each way. Once again, traveling north seemed to be a great relief from Rome (much better food and cleaner).

What was I gunna do? just let it fall?

River in Pisa

Nightfall in Florence

More Locks on a bridge

Swordfish outside of a seafood restaurant

Giant claws

The Duomo

Michelangelo's David
This is hands down the most amazing piece of art I've seen in person.
and yes this was a hard picture to get... they are very firm on their no pictures rule.

As I was sitting behind the sculpture, admiring the slingshot draped across David's back, two American girls sat down next to me and began talking about the sculpture... "Oh look at the big crack across his back. Remember in history class when they talked about how Michelangelo screwed up and cracked David?" (speaking about the slingshot that David used on Goliath)   I got up in silence and walked away wondering if our education system is THAT bad. I sure hope this was just an isolated incident.

Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa

We took a small class trip to Tivoli (about 20 miles outside Rome) to see Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa.

Hadrian's Villa was constructed around 200 BC and is now in complete ruins. The villa was constructed for Hadrian (Roman Emperor) because he disliked the palace in Rome. The villa was originally just a getaway, but eventually turned into a permanent residence for Hadrian and a population of about 3000 Romans. The villa consisted of 250 acres of developed land and buildings including palaces, thermal baths, theaters, temples, libraries, and living quarters.

Large pool

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I fed this duck about 1/3 of my box of cereal haha.

His lady friends that didn't share with.

more of the ruins

Villa d'Este, which is only a few miles from Hadrian's Villa, was constructed in the 1500's and is very intact still today. Many of the materials and art works from Villa d'Este were actually taken from Hadrian's Villa. This Villa is quite a bit smaller and has fewer buildings but has a bigger focus on the gardens, which are still well maintained today.

Staircase in the Villa

One of the many fountains

Paris

This was my second time being in Paris (if you count an airport connection coming home from Barcelona 2 years ago). The first time around I left with a sour taste in my mouth. Thankfully, this trip had a better impression on me.

We spent only two days in Paris so we didn't have time to see everything. We got around to see the Eiffel Tower, The Arch de Triumph, The Lourve, Notre Dame, and a few other things. Unfortunately my pictures are all out of order on this post and I don't really have time to put them in order right now (finals are drawing near).

Front of the Lourve

Notre Dame Organ (the hunchback was playing but he said no pictures)

Ducks in the Reflecting pool

He has a mate

Notre Dame from the river

Notre Dame inside (yes this is during mass)

One of the famous windows

Eiffel Tower from park

Bridge night shot

Pompidue Museum

The arch... kind of disappointing

Yes the Eiffel Tower is a light house.

Lourve gallery

I don't think I need to label this one.
Yes the rumors are true (its a bit disappointing)

Statue of Victory

Athena

Old Roman coins
(I think I saw more Roman artifacts here than I have in Rome)

The Three Graces

 A Sphinx

Sarcophagus

I'm not even going to try to make sarcophagus plural haha

Mummy of one of the Egyptian Kings

Mary

A couple of fairly talented break dancers out in front of Notre Dame

Now one of the guys straps on a helmet and sprays oil on it so he can do this...

Another fountain Demo