We visited San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo’s Moses, but it’s near impossible to miss the supposed miraculously-infused chains that bound St. Peter on two separate occasions. It’s a bizarre story, but Catholicism is kind of well-known for that. The chains themselves warrant my Stamp of Weird. Then there’s the fact that these twoContinue reading “Weird Sites in Rome, Take Twelve”
Monthly Archives: January 2021
Weird Sites in Rome, Take Eleven
I … have no idea what this guy is supposed to be. God, ghoul, galivant? Willem Dafoe from “The Lighthouse”? It’s a mystery. I’m leaning towards Neptune, due to all the aquatic themes, but there’s no trident in sight. And for some bizarre reason that I can’t logically explain, he reminds me of an elephant.Continue reading “Weird Sites in Rome, Take Eleven”
Welcoming Committee (Rome, Italy)
That tail. Those eyes. That wiggle! It was our second day in Rome. We’d slept roughly the night before, but forced ourselves to get some sunlight and exercise (the cornerstone of our Anti-Jet-Lag Initiative). Cappuccinos consumed, we put on our comfy shoes, tightened the belts on our fanny packs, and headed out for adventure. WeContinue reading “Welcoming Committee (Rome, Italy)”
Braxton Hicks
Pregnant with the next lifetimeBack aching and stomach stretchingFrom the weightNo clear vision of what will be bornWaiting for the labor painsSo far waiting is the greatest undertakingWant to move, to actTo jump right in But it is time to waitTo incubateBecause this life has a limitAnd enough wasting itOn shit that isn’t real toContinue reading “Braxton Hicks”
King of Neptune (Rome, Italy)
Tell her thisAnd more —That the king of the seasWeeps too, old, helpless man.The bustling fatesHeap his hands with corpsesUntil he stands like a childWith surplus of toys. Stephen Crane Another exercise in postcard photography. This was the view from my stroll along Piazza Navona. Much less crowded than our stop at the Trevi fountain,Continue reading “King of Neptune (Rome, Italy)”
La Dolce Trevi (Rome, Italy)
A bit more standard touristy fare today, in honor of an admittedly impressive structure in the middle of the city. Fun fact: this shot was taken through a sea of sardine-packed Romans and tourists, 99% of whom were significantly taller and bulkier than li’l ole me. I think my camera saw more of the fountainContinue reading “La Dolce Trevi (Rome, Italy)”
Under the Roman Sky
Double feature of shots taken as much for the background as for the foreground. Usual caveat applies, namely, I don’t actually know what I’m doing. Shot on iPhone 8.
Saint Joan (Rome, Italy)
If Joan was mad, all Christendom was mad too; for people who believe devoutly in the existence of celestial personages are every whit as mad as the people who think they see them. Luther, when he threw his inkhorn at the devil, was no more mad than any other Augustinian monk: he had a moreContinue reading “Saint Joan (Rome, Italy)”
Weird Sites in Rome, Take Ten
This design choice completely took me by surprise the first time I encountered it (and if memory serves, that “first time” is in fact captured above). Who thinks like this, let alone architects — and then convinces someone to build — like this?! But I’m so glad they did. What a crazy, bizarre, unexpected, jarring,Continue reading “Weird Sites in Rome, Take Ten”
Where the Ruins Have No Name (Rome, Italy)
Have I told you lately, dear readers, how much I lack a sense of direction and a memory for names? Here is another example. For the life of me I can’t find a similar view online to help me give this location a name. Part of me wants to call it the Roman Forum, butContinue reading “Where the Ruins Have No Name (Rome, Italy)”
Muttering Retreats 