Conquest of Roman Empire

I reached Roma Tiburtani at 7am in morning and met dillu right there in the platform; we together left to Rome Termini station and one hour delayed train from Munich reached at 9pm and we could see 'gora bandar' jumping out to reach us! You guessed it right and it was our beloved beeru. This plan of beeru joining us, after make him  belive that there is nothing in paris & come to rome - was of course masterminded by me! We immediately left to youth hostel, an got accommodation.

There are two places to see in Rome, The vatican city and Rome itself. Of the two we found that vatican city was closer to youth hostel and we immediately left to vatican city. Had heard a lot about its museum, so entered paying seven Euros. There is no single museum, but there are as many as 14 or 15 museums. We saw a number of museums - most important were the paintings, the roman antiquities, the wonderful ceilings. Overall this is undoubtably the best thing I have seen so far! The paintings are so good its difficult to make out if its a 3-d sculpture or a 2-d painting. Just to satisy ourselves, we touched one painting to make sure that its not a sculpture - such was the 3-d effect of those paintings! The important ones are 'The last judgement' and 'Creation' of Michaelangelo at one of the chapels, also on ceilings, etc.

The museum was so good, I can't describe in words; I met my roommate & IITD guy here at ICTP who have not seen the museum - I told them that since they haven't seen the museum in Rome better don't say anyone that they have visited Rome till they goto Rome again & see the Museum!

It was interesting to see the Post office inside Vatican City. As you probably know this is the smallest country in the world with about 1000 people all Fathers, nuns, siters etc(I am not sure how the population remains same with all sisters fathers!!). It has its own post office, radio station, army too! From museum we went to see the St. Peters Basilica and Square; then we entered the largest church in the world. The architecture of the church was marvelous. The church and the surrounding St. Peters Square has similarities with our Rashrtapati Bhavan & the Parilament house respectively. We went on top of Dome which is 128 meters height to beat the top of Roman Catholic Empire!

We then saw a Temple of 27 AD, Pantheon, which has huge pillars. Came back to hostel, again went to church to see it in lighting at 10pm & came back to hostel at 12:15 when the curfew was just about to begin.

On sunday, we saw Colloseum - a huge auditorium that can accommodate 80,000 people to see the cruel fight between slaves and lions, tigers; this was built 2000 years back. This visit added to my list of wonders, though this is the first ancient wonder I have seen( the other two were medieval). Then we saw many piazzas - meaning squares - of them the most impressive was Piazza Venezia where we spent about 6 hours!, and later also some beautiful fountains.

At the end of this trip I (dillu too & beeru partially), had conquered the Roman empire in my eyes and also in my newly bought Nikon F 55 camera mainly covering Venice, Florece, Pisa and Rome!!! Myself and dillu left to our respective places in night, beeru took same train as mine but, has hopefully, got down at Venice in early morning. He will reach back Munich tomorrow.

Before I conclude my Europe trip, I wish I can see Paris - a modern city and a contrast to the places I have seen so far which were ancient. Unfortunaltely I dont think my money will permit though time may. Lets see what happens.

Vishwesha, the great conquerer.