Our last stop on the trip was Rome. And I thought it would be best to start off with none other than a picture of moss (I'm sure by now you know my fascination with moss). This particular bit of moss/vine was growing on the wall surrounding the Vatican.
Here is a photo of one of the streets surrounding the Vatican. I took this while waiting in line to get into the part of the Vatican which holds the Sistine Chapel. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside (obviously), but I must say, next to the David, it was the single greatest piece of art that I've ever witnessed. My particular favorites of the chapel included the wall which holds 'The Day of Judgement' as well as the painting in the center of the ceiling, 'The Creation of Adam.' The rules of the Chapel is that you must be modestly dressed, there is no photography, and most of all, there is (supposed to be) no talking as it is a sacred place. It was really frustrating to see so many people disrespect these rules. I was especially appalled at two children fighting with each other and being completely obnoxious. Their parents neglected to tell them to be quiet or stop fighting or explain to them how important the ceiling they were standing under was. The only wish I had when at the Sistine Chapel was that Michelangelo hadn't died before he could paint the entire thing (not that he was necessarily commissioned to do this, but I think it might have happened eventually). And the most interesting thing I learned while at the Sistine Chapel was that Michelangelo thought of himself as a poor painter in comparison to his skills as a sculpture. He was such an incredible artist that it's amazing to think that he ever thought any of his work was anything less than amazing.
Here is a photo of the Vatican and the main area to which all the papal addresses are delivered. 
Here is a picture overlooking the majority of the ruins. It was taken from an overlook at a museum that we went to (that didn't turn out to be quite as interesting as we had hoped!). It's amazing to think about how many more ruins might have been destroyed when present day Rome was built or might still be buried under the ground. In fact, just this year they uncovered more ruins in this area that suggests a building which may have been the living place of the governor. Most interestingly, this building featured a rotating column which would allow the d
This next photo was taken in the ruins and shows a place which was likely used for Olympic-type athletic events. The main track around the outermost perimeter of the building was likely used for chariot races.
Here is a photo of the Colosseum taken from the highest vantage point inside the ruins. It looks so beautiful contrasted against the modern city around it. Parts of it are gone because it was dismantled and scavenged for useful building materials, but I'm glad that they didn't destroy it entirely--so much would have been lost.
This is a photo of inside the Colosseum. The forward most part is a portion being constructed where the floor would have been. The further portion in which the floor has been torn away exposes the underlying channels which were likely used for boating competitions. 
Here is a photo of the iconic Trevi fountain. I think the picture gives a good idea of its beauty and grandeur.
Here is a photo of the pantheon, another relic of ancient Rome. The columns have been reconstructed in order to suggest what was there initially, but the top and parts of the columns are from the original structure.
