In Homes & Gardens magazine…
.. on page 154, this otherwise wasted space beneath the stair return…
.. has been put to good use as a display area for shoes in this apartment – which we talked about shooting here: A wee touch of France in Ireland.
So “Way to go” Charlotte…
.. for that very neat fit – in Britain’s oldest decorating magazine that showcases classic design that stands the test of time – from Marie & me 
With just two things in my hands – and from the top of the Altare della Patria, or Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele ll, or the wedding cake building (take your pick!)…
.. one has a backdrop second to none – so yes, it really was beautiful, especially at the end of the day as the sun began to set – and therefore the perfect place to take a selfie 
Anyway, the Colosseum or Coliseum…
.. also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre…
.. is an oval amphitheater in the centre of the city of Rome.
Built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete…
.. it is the largest amphitheater ever built.
Construction began under emperor Vespasian in AD 72…
.. and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus.
It is situated just east of the Roman Forum…
.. also known by its Latin name Forum Romanum…
.. is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings…
.. at the center of the city of Rome.
Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space…
.. originally a marketplace…
.. as the Forum Magnum…
.. or simply the Forum.
“I want to explore the world with just two things in my hands, a camera in one & your hand on the other.”
And so that was Rome for me
On the ceiling in the Gallery of the Candelabra…
.. “Arts pays homage to Religion” – and there is even an old plate camera to be seen…
.. in the Vatican Museums – which are obviously inside the Vatican City…
.. which is a country located within the city of Rome that I always wanted to see.
The light was beautiful – so like everyone else I took lots of pictures in the “Courtyard of the Pinecone”…
.. and of the various statues, including the Laocoön…
.. as well as in the Gallery of Geographical Maps…
.. where once again there was just so much to see.
All of which reminded me of this work I did some years ago…
.. for St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, which was definitely an assignment I will never forget for many reasons – but that’s another story for another day
Anyway, back in Rome, our tour guide, Arianna, pointing out many very interesting things to us…
.. incuding one of the most famous paintings in the Raphael Rooms, which is the School of Athens…
.. before we entered the Sistine Chapel, were one is not allowed to take pictures, unfortunately.
Still, like I said before, the light was beautiful throughout – and inside St. Peter’s Basilica…
.. it was no different – as well as outside too…
.. where the Pontifical Swiss Guard wore their tricolor uniform, which was lovely to see.
And so there you have it, a little bit of divine light within the city of divine inspiration…
.. for millions throughout the world, by little old me
While enjoying a cold beer…
.. last week, I tried to figure out what I should do next.
Because if you know where you are and you know where you want to be, then obstacles are [just] those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal – as Henry Ford once said.
So while I waited to hear where I should be, as well as went I should be there – I when to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore first…
.. which is a is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome – before heading to the Spanish Steps…
.. to see lots of people looking at their phones…
.. from every angle…
.. before heading to the Trevi Fountain…
.. to basically see more of the same…
.. with one of the most famous fountains in the world…
.. in the background this time.
Then it was over to the Pantheon…
.. with its circular domed cella – which created absolutely beautiful light inside…
.. which I tried to capture…
.. as well as others too…
.. from every angle…
.. which was interesting to see…
.. and obviously, take pictures of too…
.. as everyone was looking at their phones…
.. but then again they do say…
.. when in Rome…
.. do as the Romans do
