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blog tre

( I always thought that becoming one through marriage was just a metaphor…)

What did you just say?

Nothing Honey, I was just thinking.

I know what you were thinking, we’ve been married long enough.

I was just reminiscing about my years as a column, standing strong and tall, supporting the whole weight of this building on my capital.

Well sweetie now you support me.

I know Honey but sometimes, and don’t take this the wrong way but, I feel like you control every inch of my connection to the outside world.

I don’t know why you always complain about me not giving you space! There are so many other walls that don’t even let their columns out.

I mean, you need to accept that times have changed and people prefer walls to open spaces. In fact you should be thankful I still let your Corinthiany show through my simplicity!

Plus! Thanks to having a wall like me by your side is that people even notice you. If it wasn’t for me, then you would just be another column.

Also you should know by now that…

I know, I know…. “Around a great column there’s always a great wall….”

I knew you’d understand. Oh look! someone is going to take a picture of us.      Say formaggio!

blog due

Determining what is the connection between a building and ground in a place like Rome can become a tedious task, where finding one answer might be impossible. In fact in most cases the answer changes depending on where you stand, and the meaning of ground becomes relative. Although we think of land as something static and stable that is measured horizontally, in Rome ground has constantly been moving and changing with the city in all directions. An example to consider is the Castelo Sant’Angelo with its multiple expansions of ground. It was first built as a Mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian in 139 A.D. In 270 A.D., the building was fortified to help protect the northern entrance to the city. Finally in 401 A.D. the building was converted into a military fortress by Favius Augustus. The layering of barriers created a change in the ground level, and consequently this affected the access to the building.  Today the ground that connects the building to the city is used as a public park. The multiple layers create sheltered spaces, and unique areas for kids to explore, hide in, jump, and climb.

Blog uno

Walking through the streets of Rome is a very unique experience. I feel enclosed by tall buildings that guide me through a maze of narrow cobblestone streets. I move slowly and carefully trying not to trip, avoiding getting hit by a local roman on a vespa, and keeping an eye out for the famous gelato. Even though I constantly lose track of where I’m going, the grid of Rome innately surprises me with a majestic place. It takes my breath away. I find a spot to sit down in an attempt to take it all in. I look around the sea of faces, trying perhaps to see if my reaction is correct, and I wonder if everyone feels as small as I do. The disconnection of cultures, ages, and backgrounds, assures me we all experience it in a different way, yet we’ve all traveled perhaps from a far to be right here.

I know im in Rome because im captivated by sourroundings that evoke in me a new sense of discovery.