Monday, April 13
Theo Taylor
Theo Taylor
As the train begins to advance towards Florence I look back on our Roman experience with fond and empowering memories. The highlight in Rome was the visit to the Vatican, St Peter's basilica is the definition of colossal. As I entered through St Peter's giant doors I physically gasped, it's magnificent pillars and immaculate mosaic ceiling are seen first. The grand scale epitomises the history and wealth that the catholic faith have acquired over the years. Upon reaching the left side of the transept myself, Tommy Hayes, Sam Bassett and Andy Black were lucky enough (Perhaps a divine intervention?) to be allowed into a mass at the high alter. A mix of emotions were felt by all of us, as the priests began to sing shivers were sent down all of our spines, Andy said that he was "levitating" towards the ceiling.
The spiritual nature of the Vatican will leave a lasting impression on me. From its ascending walls to the brightly coloured Swiss guard to its mass, it will forever be a highlight of my life.
There is also a strict disciplinary regime in place for those blessed enough to bear wisdom beards. Under the ruling of Buckingham (I) any sign of facial hair must be removed immediately resulting in the loss of successful beard growth and immense wisdom.
Signing off en route to Florence.
As the train begins to advance towards Florence I look back on our Roman experience with fond and empowering memories. The highlight in Rome was the visit to the Vatican, St Peter's basilica is the definition of colossal. As I entered through St Peter's giant doors I physically gasped, it's magnificent pillars and immaculate mosaic ceiling are seen first. The grand scale epitomises the history and wealth that the catholic faith have acquired over the years. Upon reaching the left side of the transept myself, Tommy Hayes, Sam Bassett and Andy Black were lucky enough (Perhaps a divine intervention?) to be allowed into a mass at the high alter. A mix of emotions were felt by all of us, as the priests began to sing shivers were sent down all of our spines, Andy said that he was "levitating" towards the ceiling.
The spiritual nature of the Vatican will leave a lasting impression on me. From its ascending walls to the brightly coloured Swiss guard to its mass, it will forever be a highlight of my life.
There is also a strict disciplinary regime in place for those blessed enough to bear wisdom beards. Under the ruling of Buckingham (I) any sign of facial hair must be removed immediately resulting in the loss of successful beard growth and immense wisdom.
Signing off en route to Florence.
Harry Hornabrook
Harry Hornabrook
Currently we are all on our way to Florence, on easily the fastest train I have ever been on in my life, if only we had these back at home. Looking back on the several days we have spent in Rome I can say that, in my opinion, it has been quite a different experience to Athens. And although Athens had some great icons to visit, the vast quantity of churches that we have spent hours in over the week, and structures such as the colosseum and the ruins of Pompeii, never failed to impress us all.
It was not until we arrived here in Rome however that I realised how important it was to actually keep your money as close to you as possible as I encountered a local trying to reach into my bag on the way home from termini station on the second night. Luckily I caught him in the act. Nevertheless he came back for more 100m down the road, and again he was caught.
My highlight of Rome would have to be the colosseum. To be able to compare that to similar structures we have today for 'similar' purposes such as Eden Park, I am left with so many questions about how they were able to construct such a colossal building with none of the tools we have today back then. When we were there it was more about capturing a photo "for the gram" or Instagram for those who aren't familiar with that phrase, and with 30 minutes left to explore I suggested, after hundreds of photos, that maybe it was time to put the cameras away and take a look at what surrounded us.
Currently we are all on our way to Florence, on easily the fastest train I have ever been on in my life, if only we had these back at home. Looking back on the several days we have spent in Rome I can say that, in my opinion, it has been quite a different experience to Athens. And although Athens had some great icons to visit, the vast quantity of churches that we have spent hours in over the week, and structures such as the colosseum and the ruins of Pompeii, never failed to impress us all.
It was not until we arrived here in Rome however that I realised how important it was to actually keep your money as close to you as possible as I encountered a local trying to reach into my bag on the way home from termini station on the second night. Luckily I caught him in the act. Nevertheless he came back for more 100m down the road, and again he was caught.
My highlight of Rome would have to be the colosseum. To be able to compare that to similar structures we have today for 'similar' purposes such as Eden Park, I am left with so many questions about how they were able to construct such a colossal building with none of the tools we have today back then. When we were there it was more about capturing a photo "for the gram" or Instagram for those who aren't familiar with that phrase, and with 30 minutes left to explore I suggested, after hundreds of photos, that maybe it was time to put the cameras away and take a look at what surrounded us.
Jamie Sandelin
Jamie Sandelin
It's 9.20am here on the 'Frecciarossa' - our mode of transport out of Rome en route to Florence. As much as I'd love to tell you what that translates to in Italian, I've given up on learning the language after I got an interesting look from a Roman security guard after being fooled into saying 'ciao bella' on our way out of St. Mary's, which according to Bucko translates into something like 'later hot stuff'.
As we begin our journey to our next destination I can reflect on the first week and a bit of our travels. Rome for me sits well above Athens on the pecking order. Athens, although blessed with some pretty amazing archaeological sites, is commonly described by the lads as 'a bit of a hole', so Rome was a nice contrast. Our accommodation was most appropriately compared to staying with Grandma- the nuns put on a great show and made us all feel very welcome and loved (much needed for the more sensitive lads in the group as Crooksy, Smithy and Bucko aren't particularly keen on giving out free hugs). I have to admit that I never thought after entering 4 churches in one day I'd be looking forward to the next one, but such is the power and beauty of places like St. Peter's Basilica. The colosseum was as spectacular as I imagined, and I'm yet to become tired of the pizza/carbonara/gelato combo for most meals (kebabs proved to have the same effect in Greece).
Quickly addressing the facial hair status of some of the lads, I can quite happily admit Theo Taylor and Adam Clark are two of the most beautiful men on the planet. The sharp stubble on their jawline is the envy of the group, however how long they can sustain it is beyond me with Bucko policing them with admirable dedication. Harry Hornabrook is convinced something is growing under his chin, but that observation is about as true as Kirkwood developing a golden tan in the Roma sun.
It's 9.20am here on the 'Frecciarossa' - our mode of transport out of Rome en route to Florence. As much as I'd love to tell you what that translates to in Italian, I've given up on learning the language after I got an interesting look from a Roman security guard after being fooled into saying 'ciao bella' on our way out of St. Mary's, which according to Bucko translates into something like 'later hot stuff'.
As we begin our journey to our next destination I can reflect on the first week and a bit of our travels. Rome for me sits well above Athens on the pecking order. Athens, although blessed with some pretty amazing archaeological sites, is commonly described by the lads as 'a bit of a hole', so Rome was a nice contrast. Our accommodation was most appropriately compared to staying with Grandma- the nuns put on a great show and made us all feel very welcome and loved (much needed for the more sensitive lads in the group as Crooksy, Smithy and Bucko aren't particularly keen on giving out free hugs). I have to admit that I never thought after entering 4 churches in one day I'd be looking forward to the next one, but such is the power and beauty of places like St. Peter's Basilica. The colosseum was as spectacular as I imagined, and I'm yet to become tired of the pizza/carbonara/gelato combo for most meals (kebabs proved to have the same effect in Greece).
Quickly addressing the facial hair status of some of the lads, I can quite happily admit Theo Taylor and Adam Clark are two of the most beautiful men on the planet. The sharp stubble on their jawline is the envy of the group, however how long they can sustain it is beyond me with Bucko policing them with admirable dedication. Harry Hornabrook is convinced something is growing under his chin, but that observation is about as true as Kirkwood developing a golden tan in the Roma sun.
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