chris_crossing_rome: And we're all from Barcelona

I began my spring break this year with a few visitors from Barcelona and Brussles. Minutes after getting off of the plane from Istanbul, visitor one appeared and the two day Roman adventure began.

Getting over the initial shock of being right back into the heart of Italy, I realized on the speedy cab drive home that this would be a much needed few days of relief.

The group of us who would spend the next few days in Rome met at Piazza di Spagna, a site we knew a first timer in Rome could find (unless you approach it from the back like Liz). The phone conversation trying to find where she was|"Liz...are you at the Spanish Steps?"

Through the wind and rain of the first day we managed to see all of the most important sights while enjoying some of the finer parts of the Roman day.

While our guests got a later start to the second day, Marisa and I ventured out to the Trevi Fountain, hoping it would be emptier that normal at this time of day. Of course it was just as packed as usual, even with the rain, but we got to experience something special that day.
Thinking to myself what the actual building backdrop to the fountain was used as, I asked Marisa if she thought we coluld get inside.
We looked at eachother with a smirk and slowly passed through the sea of umbrellas.

The building turned out to be a museum of graphics.
Interesting.
Realizing it was free and hiding our umbrellas so that we didn't have to leave them in a pile, we ventured in. On the main level of the museum, we realized where we were in relation to the outside. The fountain was right behind those windows...

So naturally we play dumb, open up the shutters, and snag a few shots before an employee had a chance to stop us. At least we got the pictues.

By day two we had been from the top of Vittorio Emanuele II to the Vatican and all in between making sure to hit up Giolitti at least once a day. We became tourguides by day and Romans by night. By the end of day two, I was happy to have stayed in Rome, not just for laundry, but because it was an exciting way to see how much I have taken in over these past few months. Just as I was settled again, it was off to España.

Beginning in Plaza Catalyuna, my adventure began the second I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore.

My Spanish skills needed to find their way back into my mouth.

Figuring out that I had lost my directions to the Melon District, I found myself a bus to the city center, paid my 4 euro and almost slipped out a "Grazie" as I found an empty seat.

Dumped off at one of the most beautiful squares on a beautiful day, I didn't want to leave this area, even though I was lost and couldn't leave anyway. Long story short, I was happy I brought my laptop.

Some of the highlights.

Parc Güell_An paradise of sculptured columns, mosaics, and sprawling views of the city.

La Boqueria_Spanish food at it's best. Small fruit juices and colorful candy displays. Fishmongers and butchers display their daily selections; some not so appetizing.

Casa Milà Antoni Gaudí|The building with a beautiful atrium, organic inspiration in metal work, chimneys and ventilation towers with sculpted guardian figures.