I know you, I've walked with you once upon a dream

I've waited for you all my life :) And now we have a lifetime ahead to dream together.

Happy anniversary. 

A Roman Holiday (Day 1 and 2)

Rome is a mere two and a half hours away from Bristol, our nearest connection point, that it was just simply impossible not to go. From there we took an Easyjet (cheap as chips) to Fiumicino Airport but arrived late in the day and so it was dark out by the time we got out of the terminal. A quick pop in the Leonardo Express into town and before we knew it, we were in the famous (notorious?) Termini station - the city's central station.

From Fiumicino to Termini - via the Leonardo Express

Termini is busy with travelers going every which way, near and far, encircling the insides and outsides of the building and seamlessly avoiding collision at every turn. The subterranean levels however, leave a much more unsavoury impression as trash is strewn everywhere and every surface is spray painted some illegible random graffiti. But the trains are on time, which is a relief as you are therefore less likely to spend more than 5 minutes on their platforms waiting for trains and trying to avoid eye contact with the unofficial gypsy "ticket operators".

Around ten minutes later, we emerged from the cave-like Spagna Metro station and a whole different world unfolds before us. The station is right next to the historical Spanish Steps, named after a nearby Spanish embassy that's been there for centuries. The steps were the primary people mover in the 18th century when Rome was experiencing regular influxes of Christian pilgrims, posing a logistical nightmare to local authorities trying to alleviate the human crush.

Spanish Steps - day time view

Our hotel was just two streets over but I was in heaven more because of the fact that we were right smack in the middle of the luxury shopping district. Purely by chance of course! The famed Via Condotti where the likes of Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Missoni, Prada, Chanel, Ferragamo and Tod's call home were as accessible as crossing the street. Which is lovely particularly because of the time of year - Christmas decorations were in full swing at each of these shops and gave me an extra reason to linger just a tad longer at their windows.

From where we stayed, the major attractions were pretty accessible either on foot or by train. Rome is a pretty contained city and with a good conversation going, you'll find walks to be shorter than initially thought. The easier attractions to get to from our hotel were the Trevi Fountain (yay!), Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Villa Borghese. Further afield, we saw the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, and Vatican City (St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel). It certainly seemed that our 5-day trip was insufficient to explore all of Rome!

Trevi by night

That night, not wanting to waste the precious few hours before bedtime, we took a stroll around the area and ended up at the Trevi Fountain. Pleased to find that it is just as magical at night as it would have been by day, we settled at a nearby restaurant for dinner and coffee, while we regrouped and planned our day-by-day exploration.

The next great adventure

Exams are over!

These last two weeks felt like pure torture. We had our first exams for the course and I was a nervous wreck the whole way through. Even though I'd studied everything and did as much as possible, I was still unsure of myself as I went through my first exams in over four years. The levers and pulleys in my head were working overtime to wake every brain cell to make sure that I could pull this through. Thank goodness that it's now finally over!

So now I can focus on the things that are truly important! There must be a million things floating around all at the same time competing for my attention but there is just one tiny little thing that I am constantly turning over affectionately in my head.

During our recent trip to Rome as it turns out, my partner of four years and my favourite traveling buddy, had one very important thing to ask me. He asked, if he could be there for all of my adventures, for the rest of our lives. There in the middle of a busy piazza, with the waters of the Trevi fountain splashing dull gurgles in the background, I said yes! In between tears of joy and hugs in disbelief, I both whispered and shouted my answer over and over.

I felt pure elation. Like no other feeling in this world can be contained together for an emotion so deep. Happiness in its pinkest form. I didn't know that he could find a way to make me happier than I already was everyday with him.

Since announcing the engagement to both our families and friends, my greatest joy has been watching the varied reactions from everyone. From unexpected bursts of tears, to pledges of help when it comes down to the planning, to subtle threats if he didn't take good care of me. All of them good, all of them full of love.

As of now, we have picked a date and will work towards making sure that our biggest adventure - or at least, the start of it - will be smooth sailing. I cannot wait for our lives to begin :)

En route home from Rome, flying over the Swiss Alps

Photo of the week: Forum magnum

Roman Forum, Northeast exit

At one time, the seat of Western civilisation, Rome, the Republic and the Empire, has left an indelible mark upon this world in many ways that still live on even though most of its appreciable power has ceased to be.

As I walked through the streets of Rome, my mind started to wonder at every brick, each marbled step and column, and gazed in curiosity, all the time thinking: what was it like to live all those centuries ago when the civilisation was at its height? To take in the sight of a city so large, so modern like this, when the rest of the world was still coming out of the jungle, so to speak? Throughout the visit, we had at least one common agreement (of many to be sure!) between us: that the scale of the Roman metropolis, what it was then and even in the evidence left behind, is purely breathtaking.

On a bright and sunny morning, my partner and I put on our more adventurous caps and took a stroll on the Palatine hills, the site of Forum Magnum, or more commonly known as the Roman Forum. Whatever is left of the former centre of Roman life has been lovingly pieced together to give visitors an idea of Rome's true historical might. This was where triumphal processions took place, where politicians congregated, plotted and controlled the world, where Emperors lived and roamed, played and back-stabbed, and where the people of Rome looked to as a symbol of democracy - despite their society's highly undemocratic paradoxes.

Rome is an enigmatic tour de force. Proof of both man's marvelous capacity for creation and the ugly ferociousness within.

Photo of the week: Ciao Roma!

Have just returned from a five day visit to the Italian capital of Roma. In short, it was the best holiday I have had in a long while!

Rome is a beautiful place and I left with an ache to see more of the country - perhaps Venice, Florence and/or Tuscany next time. The weather was fine throughout our stay, making it the perfect experience to enjoy the countless precious historical sites. And because it was winter, there were very few tourists to compete with at entrance lines, ticket booths and restaurants. If you ever want to visit Rome, please consider winter, especially close to Christmas time. You'll get to see Rome without the heaving weight of tourists, and enjoy the many brilliant Christmas decorations!

There aren't enough words to describe how incredible Rome is. I stood in awe at every street corner as I gazed at each quaint Italian coffee shop or pizzeria, and marveled at the architecture of the various ages of Rome - from classical, to medieval and finally to the age of renaissance.

The trip itself deserves a much longer review but for now, I leave you with the best birds-eye view of the place that I could find. This was taken at the top of the Spanish Steps as we were making our way to Villa Borghese. We chanced upon the most unique cloud formation I had ever seen, seemingly to highlight the powerful and unique quality of the city below - with its old crooked streets lined with colourful buildings and dotted with ancient monuments dedicated to a life centuries ago when this was the centre of the world.

Until I write again.