Sistine Chapel

Photography is forbidden, so excuse this low-quality-sneaky-pic that I took while the guards weren't looking

No words can aptly describe how magnificent the Sistine is.

The chapel is completely covered in artwork. Except the art is actually comprised of separate pieces that cover every inch of wall space. Everything is so rich with detail and movement that each piece is more like a separate story; the details of the story unravel with every minute you spend staring at the piece. And that's the beauty of it for me, what distinguishes the Sistine Chapel as one of the Greats. Not many art pieces can embody so much depth and content behind the strokes, the raw bodies and the complete embellishment of detail. There is just no comparison. To be able to create something with that much...meaning...is real genius. Let alone cover an entire chapel with such pieces. I could stare at the Sistine for hours and still never be able to absorb it all, not even close. I just don't believe my entire being could ever take in everything that is the Sistine.

I think in a lot of instances, art is exclusive. Either you are the person mindlessly snapping photos of displays that mean nothing to you, or you are that AP Art History kid who memorized all the context behind everything. With the Sistine though, everyone had their heads arched back to gaze at the ceiling.  No one could take their eyes away. And you could tell that, while in a room full of tourists from all over the world, the awe was universal. 

Julia Roberts Problems

If you saw the movie Eat Pray Love, then hopefully you empathize with this post. For those who don't know, it stars Julia Roberts as this average, middle aged woman who goes through this mid-life crises and decides to travel the world to find herself. Julia Roberts, with her stunning smile and perfect wavy hair and beautiful boyfriends (uhhhh, James Franco?!) that aren't "good enough" for her -soooo relatable.
There is this particular scene where Julia Roberts is complaining about the food in Italy. The amazing-mouth-watering food she gets to eat everyday, because they are making her pants stretch out. What. There is an entire scene devoted to poor Julia Roberts not being able to fit into her tiny size 2 pants and having to buy new jeans. Boo, freaking hoo.

I am 99% sure that I am ballooning into the size of a killer whale with every hour I spend here (because they're all spent eating...), but I can honestly say I am enjoying every minute of it. You would think you'd get tired of pizza, pasta and gelato every day but honestly, you really don't. It's that good. Theme of Rome is officially "TREAT YO SELF."

When in Rome

People say Rome is the perfect place to fall in love. Two days later and I've found better, I fell in love with Rome instead. This city is such a magical place.