On returning to the homeland

It's not too often one can return to the land from where my in-utero name originated (baby Julius). I believe there is a temple honoring me (or Julius Caesar) that we will visit shortly. Nevertheless my celebrity status in Rome is confirmed as I have many people wanting to have their pictures taken with me. Follow me on twitter with #babyjulius !

This lady doesn't even speak English, yet the international sign of "photo" was clearly understood. It almost looks like she's trying to steal me. I have a grandma in Ponoka that would have something to say about that!

So far, Rome has been quite excellent. The ancient buildings merged into modern Rome is quite something. The area and size of the ruins is much larger than I was expecting. Despite all the grandiose history, one of the more amazing things was captured in the following image. 

This has to be one of the smallest gas stations I've ever seen. Maybe I'm just used to seeing the large luxurious stations where people can get out of their vehicles and stretch their legs, get a Starbucks, stop at Wendy's or Tim Hortons and take a nap, but this seems like a Lego gas station starter set where you want the impression of a gas station with the least amount of peices possible. In contrast to the colosseum, which is about 200 meters away, this seems out of place. 

I've also taken to heart what I've learned at the "le louvre". A sculptures is 3D art and it should be appreciated as such. Here's a statue viewed from the wrong side. 

It may be 3d art but it's definitely not the part that people look at. I'm not sure how many people take time to notice the backside of a sculpture. If it were a scultpure of a mountain, with no front or back I could see the need for 3d. I guess it does make it more life like - something that a painting can't do even though it has the advantage of color. The statues do make a nice backdrop for more photos of me though!

- L.P.

PS. You guys need to try this at some point.  Yummy cow stomach! Tastes like chicken!