Back from Sicily

So we returned back to Rome last Monday (2/5) after our long and exhausting trip. It was though, the most amazing trip I had ever been on. We departed on the 24th by train headed for Naples. We stayed in Naples for 2 days, looked at some amazing examples of architecture and urban planning, and ate pizza at the place where pizza was supposedly born. We then took an overnight boat to Palermo. Palermo is a smaller city on the northern coast of Sicily. The city and its coastline, parks, and historic structures was beautiful. While still staying in Palermo we took a few small day trips to Monreale, Segesta, and Erice. All were incredible, the pictures basically speak for themselves. Finally for the last, but most important part of the trip, we headed to Cefalu. For our major project this semester we are to design a structure (hotel, condos...) on a beachfront plot of land in Cefalu, so our 5 days in Cefalu were spent learning, analyzing, and climbing. The city of Cefalu allowed us to set up camp in the town municipal building where we went to hear historians lecture and also did most of our project analysis. The small city was absolutely beautiful, even in the winter, and was an incredible end to our trip. Now for the pictures...

Waiting in the Termini for the train to Naples:

Galleria Umberto (Naples):

Castle Nuovo (Naples):

Ship on the coast (Naples):

Our boat (the SNAV):

Update

Sorry for the lack of text, its been a busy first few weeks. Here is the rundown of my first 2 weeks in Roma. First off, this city is much better than any text book can try to show or explain. The buildings, the people, the food, the culture in general is something that one must experience at least once in their life. Our apartment, where most of the CUA architecture kids are living is located on the Campo Di Fiori. The Campo is right in the middle of the historic part of the city. From sun up to midday the Campo is filled with an open air market, selling fresh fruits and vegetables. At night when the merchants leave people pack the cafe's and bars. Pretty convinent for us college students. Outside the Campo the city is just as enjoyable. People fill restaurants everywhere. In every piazza, down every alley people seem to always be eating, which is incredible considering how thin everyone is.

For our first project we were to explore a few of the well known landmarks of Rome. Sites included the Pantheon, Villa Giulia, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Campidoglio, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps, and St. Peters Basilica. After choosing 4 of the sites we were to sketch and analyze them in our sketchbooks and from that create an interesting and informative layout to be displayed. Here is my final presentation:

We set off for a 12 day trip to Southern Italy tomorrow. I'll post some more pictures and some interesting stories when i return.

Villa Giulia

Roman Forum

Campidoglio

Pantheon

Arriving

Some views out of the apartment window down onto the Campo Di Fiori.