Our first afternoon in Rome was almost a disaster. It was raining pretty hard and we had to deal with a temporary strike of the metro system. None of us had a bus map and, after a bit of confusion, we finally managed to find a taxi.

I had been to St-Peters Basilica two years ago but this was my first time going up the cupola. Anyone who has ever been up there will attest that the extremely long and narrow stairs are quite an adventure but that the view certainly makes up for it.

Of note, because of the rain I had decided to leave my big DSLR at the hotel and to use only my pocket-size Canon S90. The picture quality wasn't the same but the convenience factor won out.

One last shot from the archives, one of Rome's many beautiful churches.

And that's pretty much it for the archive diving. Starting tonight I'll be returning to Italy to spend 48 hrs in Rome followed by a 2-day workshop in Teramo. My return to Montreal will be short-lived as I have another conference waiting for me in Miami followed by a weekend in South Beach. Finally, Christiane and I will be spending the last two weeks of April in Tokyo.

This should be fun.

Maeght Foundation Modern Art Museum.

A similar sculpture by Giacometti was recently sold for a record $104.3 million.

Last chance to hit the archives before Spring Travelothon 2010.

© Giles McClintock

Making faces behind the Prime Minister's back = 3rd class ticket to Kandahar.

My brother-in-law is a Canadian Army engineer with the Royal 22e Régiment and he is currently on a support and reconstruction mission in Haiti (Operation Hestia). He has been continuously sending us some amazing images of the area and graciously allowed me to share them with you.

© Giles McClintock

How spam e-mails selling Canadian pharmaceuticals look like when people don't have computers.

My brother-in-law is a Canadian Army engineer with the Royal 22e Régiment and he is currently on a support and reconstruction mission in Haiti (Operation Hestia). He has been continuously sending us some amazing images of the area and graciously allowed me to share them with you.

The institute where I work is updating its networks and it appears that one of the access point is in the men's restroom.

© Giles McClintock

A much less frightening form of Haitian wildlife.

My brother-in-law is a Canadian Army engineer with the Royal 22e Régiment and he is currently on a support and reconstruction mission in Haiti (Operation Hestia). He has been continuously sending us some amazing images of the area and graciously allowed me to share them with you.

© Giles McClintock

Unlike Afghanistan, there isn't much to fear in Haiti except for malaria and these giant spiders. Soldiers have to remember to shake down their boots before putting them on in the morning.

My brother-in-law is a Canadian Army engineer with the Royal 22e Régiment and he is currently on a support and reconstruction mission in Haiti (Operation Hestia). He has been continuously sending us some amazing images of the area and graciously allowed me to share them with you.

© Giles McClintock

My brother-in-law is a Canadian Army engineer with the Royal 22e Régiment and he is currently on a support and reconstruction mission in Haiti (Operation Hestia). He has been continuously sending us some amazing images of the area and graciously allowed me to share them with you.