The Innocence Abroad

... observations of the International

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Weihnachtsmarkt in Erfurt

Here's a look at what is happening in Erfurt for Christmas. It's the Erfurt Weihnachtsmarkt! It is a huge market outside in front of the big cathedral in the middle of Erfurt. So many little goodies to find here.

As well as big: The Rieselrad, as it is known in German. Going to the top of the ferris wheel is really really cold. I did it once and about froze to death!

On the many avenues of the Wehnachtsmarkt

The huge pyramide. If you can tell what this is called in Englsih, let me know. I know we had them when I was young but always forgot. Oh well.

At the top of the Ferris Wheel. Great view of the Markt below!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Rome, more of it!

Some more of Rome and the Vatican in particular.

Ah Yes the famous Sistine Chapel. I didn't get the one painting on the ceiling of God and Adam photographed as I wasn't supposed to even take this one. Oh well. I will take it!

Another Shot of the Colosseum...

So the day we went to the Vatican we got to see the Pope do a small little ceremong the day before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Pretty sweet. I should have tried some of my German on him. I am sure he gets tired of all the Latin...

Mary Beth and I at St. Peter's.

The way to the Sistine Chapel has rooms upon rooms and hallways upon hallways of paintings, decorations, anything you could possibly think of. Here's is only one example!

Trip to Rome

So I had a chance to go to Rome the past week! I met my ex-girlfriend Mary Beth and her friend who were vacationing in Europe. Mary Beth asked me if I wanted to come along, and I knew that i would probably never have a better chance in seeing Rome, so why not? Of course it was amazing! It is one thing to think about how big and impressive all these buildings are int he history books, but ti see and actually experience them, it is a totally different story.

The Photos in no particular order:
The papal halls of power. St. Peter's Basillica! It is built on the site where Peter was crucified and buried. I can't remember which pope exactly started the construction, but he wanted to place the Vatican where peter was buried because Jesus said that Peter would be the rock that his church is founded upon. Over two hundred years and 16 popes after it began the basillica was finished. yep Huge and lots of amazing art.

Two of the most classic sights in ancient Rome: the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine.

Didn't have the most success taking htis shot but it is from inside the Vatican, on the way to the Amazing Sistine Chapel: The School of Athens by Raphael. I always loved this painting when I was a kid because it had so many of the old Greek philosphers I liked. Very Cool. Plato (on the left hoilding up his finger) and Aristotle (holding a book) are in the middle. Socrates to Pythgoras and any other famous greek philospher are also int he picture. Raphael also placed himself in the painting, but unfortuantely it was so large I couldn't get all of it. Go check out an art book!

A typical Villa in Rome. The weather was really great the first two days!

St. Peter's from a distance.