Galleria Borghese

Last time I came to Italy I stopped blogging in Florence. I just couldn't find the words for it.  This time I never really got started, so I'm hoping to make up for lost time.

I said goodbye to Jenna and Randi this morning. They took the train to Venice, while I headed down to Rome once again. There were a lot of young backpackers on the train which made things... Interesting. And loud. But I put in headphones read a book, slept a little, and it was okay.

After our pickpocketing adventures on the Metro I decided to splurge on a cab to the Galleria Borghese, an Art Museum I've never been able to visit before. I arrived a little before my 1 o'clock reservation so I had time to eat a snack in the gorgeous park and people watch a little. Here too they've begun allowing cameras, which I have mixed feelings about. I like being able to take pictures I can use in my classroom but I feel like I look at the art better when I'm not worried about a camera.

The Bernini statues were amazing. I'm slowly becoming a fan even though he's not my preferred Renaissance time. The rooms were beautiful and they were setting up for some sort of fashion show so there were all these beautiful dresses mixed into the statues and paintings. My phone decided two steps in the door was a good time to update so I wandered while freaking out that it was downloading something on my limited international data plan but once it was fixed I could focus on the art.

Why are so many amazing statues about rape? I mean really, is this the most evocative subject the artist who come up with? It's hard to appreciate the beauty when there's such violence hidden beneath it. The best part of the museum? Air conditioning.

I'm at the Westin now, waiting for Kim to arrive.  Then more fun begins!