After a week in Orvieto, I spent a week in Rome - much bigger, faster, and more crowded than Orvieto, but still full of what I love about Italy.
Almost every day was sunny.

I visited the Coliseum.

The streets are full of cars and motorcycles (not as many bikes as I expected). I love the way every possible parking space is used. I love the way the ancient (see the reflections of the buildings in the cycle mirrors) and the modern (coke machine and motorcycles) bump up against each other, using eery spare space.

In the midst of the busy, crowded city, you see ruins (the Temple of the Vestal Virgins in the midst of the Forum here) standing proudly.

Close to the Vatican, you might see beggers.

There was one morning of rain during my two weeks in Italy. People huddled under doorways and bought umbrellas from enterprising street vendors.

The Tiber runs through the city (seen here near the Vatican).

I stood on the Spanish Steps, but did not walk up them before the rains came.
