Old Stuff

Italians seem to have an odd fascination with

old stuff. Everywhere you go, especially in Rome, you

see old stuff: old buildings, old statues, old fountains.

I'm not sure why they haven't figured out that

knocking down all that stuff could make room

for buildings that would generate some serious

cash like condos and strip malls. Who knows, maybe

there's even oil down there. Hey, I'm as

sentimental as the next guy, but after

2,000 years, it's time to move on.

San Michele

Everywhere we went in Italy, I was

constantly astonished at the variety and

intricacy of the architecture. The people who

created all of this stuff never needed 80 ton

hydrolic cranes, fork lifts or building permits,

and it's still there after all this time. Imagine.