The post about Angels and Demons gives me the inspiration to blog about one of Rome’s spot to see – the Piazza Navona.
I am not an expert of Rome, so I’ll try to describe it the way that I see it. But there is a plentiful of interesting things to see here.
Usually, Cart and I would usually take the tram. Trying to drive and find parking in the city centre is a maddening, frustrating chore.
Taking the tram, by itself is an interesting experience. Each journey costs 1.50 euro regardless of how long or short it is. You buy a ticket from the dispenser and need to get it validated with the machine inside the tram. Grab a seat and enjoy the view. Sometimes you’d spot interesting scenes like this :
And when you are at your destination, you’d need to press a button or the exit doors will not open. The doors aren’t automatic.
Stop at the end of the line which is the Via Di Torre Argentina where one of the first things that you will see is an ancient Roman Ruins where Caesar was murdered.
This place is also memorable for the amount of cats here. Cats are very special in Rome and below you’d find a cat sanctuary where you could play or even adopt cats.
If you walk a little bit further, you’d see a statue covered with paper. This is called the Pasquino.
What is interesting about the pieces of paper is that written on it is complains about the pope and the government. In the old days, it was probably dangerous to speak out openly. Hence it became a “talking statue” to express dissatisfaction. Could this be the inspiration for “the head” in Art Attack?
Moving further along for a few minutes, you’d see the pantheon.
It is impressively big. My guess is that you could stack at least 50 people on their heads before they could even reach the top of the ceiling.
What’s interesting to me about the Pantheon is that on the top, is a dome. And there is a hole in the middle of it. I’m not sure why the reason for that is. But it makes me amazed at how well preserved the pantheon is, despite the risk of rain splashing in.
And moving along the way, you might find a few interesting things :
Jerrick and I stumbled upon this little shop selling all sorts of wooden things! He’s a little creeped out by Pinocchio. But I thought it was charming. Did you know that Pinocchio is an Italian Fairy Tale?
This statue reminds me of Thief, the Dark Project.
And at length, we reach Piazza Navona.
It’s easily distinguishable because there are always loads of people here. There are restaurants all around the area and there are also a couple of people selling toys and flowers. You’d have to be careful though, since they can be very persistent in selling their stuff. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might find interesting buskers :
For me, one of the memorable thing about Piazza Navona is the number of talented artists there.
I like looking at the different artworks, especially the caricatures that the artists drew, on the spot. As I loved caricatures, I had a caricature of Cart and I done one time.
Piazza Navona is an interesting place to be. I’ve been told that in the old days, the area will be closed and flooded and there were boat races going on. 
I wonder how they did that.
Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa
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The mumps? Tee hee … I never noticed that until you mentioned it 😛
And yeah, you’re right about the romanticism about travelling with someone special. Doesn’t matter where it be 🙂
Cart looks like he had mumps. I totally get what you mean about the Art Attack inspiration, I see the likeness. Seems so romantic to be travelling there with Cartcart.
That’s quite interesting that the “tram” is at street level. Does it follow the roads or does it ever go underground or become elevated? I like the way you pay for your rides on Singapore trains better. Especially the part where you only pay according to the distance you travel. In New York City the fare is a flat rate of 2.50. I can’t imagine paying that much just to ride the bus. You’d spend all of your money just on fare to get to and from work!
That statue where notes are somewhat anonymously posted to express dissatisfaction is very very interesting. I like historical, cultural traditions like that. It was one of the reasons I started out as a history major.
What amazes me about structures like the Pantheon is that … they’re still structures and not just piles of debris. You have to admire the architects from those times. They knew how to build something to last! Nowadays things you buy on Monday are falling apart on Friday. Especially cheap China knock-offs.
I agree that the caricature doesn’t seem to be very well done. I’ve seen better by artists in NYC.
I’ve found that it’s hard to get through any area that’s a bit touristy without being hounded by people trying to sell something. That’s especially true for a Caucasian in an Asian country, mostly because we just stand out, but because people in some Asian countries assume that all foreigners, especially white ones, have money. It’s a bit old fashioned to think that way though, because I’m certainly not rich.
Nice little bloggy tour!
Hey, did you go to Venice? I used to go there like 13yrs ago, was my first encounter with Italy and it’s really something else. It’s wonderful, yet very messy. Rome seems like it’s not very organized as well. Anyway, it’s my next destination when I go to Italy again. I even have an Italian friend from Rome, she keeps inviting me to visit, but I always fly to Southeast Asia ^^
Sis, i baru baca pasal your grandpa tinggal pat tekong. My grandparents from there too… so we went there during weekends.
I so long Pulang Tekong..
Once awhile ada gak mimpi pasal tekong.
My grandparents stayed at Kampung Permatang.
Ciao Marina! Finalmente sono andata in Italia circa 2 settimane fa. Mi dispiace che non ti ho detto. Sono andata a Roma, Firenze, and Venezia. Un’ esperienza incredibile perche’ ho viaggiato da sola!!! Ah non vedo l’ora di ritornare. Spero che tu possa capirmi 😉
You should prepare a guide book for people who want to tour Rome, taking pictures on the go, and writing whatever information you find.
I’ll probably the first in the queue to buy that book!
PS: The new school is done! Now they’re renovating the Seh Chuan block. I’ll get you a picture of the new block and the still on-going renovations.
-_-”
By the way, did you know today, 30 June 2009, is Mdm Teresa’s last day in school? She’s retiring.
Brad
So far as I’ve seen, the tram is at street level. I might be wrong, but I’ve never seen it to be underground or elevated – those are for the trains and subways instead.
Anyhow, yes, its a fixed price here for a journey. Regardless of how long or how short the journey is, its 1 euro each. The only difference is that tickets are only valid for an hour that you validate it – hence you cant use it after an hour.
Most of the people here prefer to use their own vehicles anyway. And I’m looking forward to ride a scooter here again 🙂
Oh and about the assumption issue … I’m always assumed to be an Indonesian / Filipino / Thailand lady. Go figure 😛
Nino
No, I havent been to Venice yet. Seems a lovely place to be – after reading Shakespeare for literature … Maybe we’ll go in time to come 🙂
Let me know when you will be coming to Rome!
Liza
IZZIT?!
Which family is that?! My mum and grandmother will surely know them!!!!
Do tell me!!!
eKa
Perché non me lo hai detto? 🙁
Maalikka
I don’t think anyone would buy my guide book if I would write it … but that’s a good idea though. Who knows 🙂
And I cant wait to see the pics of the new block. I wonder how it looks like now. It was heavily under construction when I left.
And no, I didn’t know its her last day … I knew she was retiring though, but I didn’t guess that it was so soon.
How sad for all of you! 🙁