Roma

 A full day today, seeing Roma. Even though we walked a lot and saw a lot, it didn't feel like we were racing from place to place. But timing for everything really did work out perfectly. We love our lazy mornings. Waking up and having second sleeps, and then relaxing and not racing to get out and do. Days are long enough, we would rather be out in evenings then have a longer day trying to stretch into the evenings. We really saw the colosseum from every angle possible throughout the day today. As you will later see, there are trillions of picture, consider this your warning.

 

We started the day by going to the Palatine Hill. Fun fact that our awesome host told us when we first arrived, the ticket you get for the colosseum is also good for the Forums, and Palatine Hill. Even if you aren't planning on going to the Palatine hill. If you buy your ticket there you save yourself a lot of time. This was a time saver. Especially when you realize that even if from the outside the haven't bought tickets yet line looks shorter it really isn't because they que it so that most of the line is in the shade and then winds. That is at the Colosseum of course. The biggest hold up for already bought tickets is going through security and the metal detectors. Lucky for us there weren't any groups coming and must not of had groups coming for quite sometime and they split our line which probably didn't make a huge difference but it certainly felt like it did, and we flew through. Great advice.

 

But Palatine Hill was actually very interesting. We walked around the ruins of it and went through the museum which was very interesting. It went from being a tribal village, to more of a divided area, then eventually moved into one massive palace. Or at least that is our understanding of what happened. It was very interesting to walk through this and see some of the archaelogical things that they had there to show and share. 

From there we moved to the Forums. Here we did a walking tour with Rick, which was interesting. Took us around and put things into perspective. The very large 5 acre land has many stories. But apparently I also need to go to an acreage, a stamps game, and really get my measurements into place. Over our whole trip he has made references to being 2 football fields long, and then today talking about the forums being on 5 acres of land. Yes they cover a large space but I didn't quite think that much. But apparently I don't know how to properly measure things by such measurements. 

 

Some of the forum pieces, as shown above have some crazy details put into them. There are also details that have been seen in other places, monuments, statues, and so on. But the flowers in particular I thought were interesting.

 

Europe all over is great for having water easily accessible for everyone. Out of those 'fountains' I mentioned recently. It is very unlike me to actually drink out of such things because I am a filtered water snob, but they surprisingly have decent water. Especially that those water taps are cold water as well makes it great. Definitely beats paying up the yin yang for a cold water bottle. But I have definitely got used to using these and I think they are an awesome idea. Canada should really have thought of this. It is also great because they are all over. An awesome concept and great for the heat. We use them often on our trip but especially today, as many things were outside, we stopped often and filled up.

From the forums we headed to the colosseum. An incredible place that puts the saddle dome to shame. We went through as much as we possibly could. Plus on the second level you got an even better view at the overall stadium. It is of course another thing that words cannot possibly describe. There are many, many pictures

 

 

Apparently this middle left sculpture is a recent find in the archeological site I didn't quite get where. It's a horse anyway. You can maybe make the hoove out on the ground there. 

 

 

 

There are also some inside jokes that many won't get and that is fine. Specifically this special little nook on the staircase by the colosseum has some funny memories that will never die. Plus the view is great. 

 

There was some side entertainment as we had stopped at the washroom, in the colosseum and saw a poor girl walk out with part of her dress tucked into her undies and half her bum showing. Was sad and funny all at once, mostly because never actually seen this happen for really life, but also cause she didn't speak English and started walking away quickly. The other better entertainment that was there was watching the men go into the girls washroom line up and the girls go into the men's. Alright I will admit, I am slightly horrible for taking pleasure in these things but I couldn't help it.  There were these random signs on black curved things that were fairly clearly marked people were just choosing not to see them and walk past them.  When you do go past them you walk up a ramp where you stand in line with your gender to enter a trailer type of thing where the washrooms are. So going into the line was really no foul just embarrsing for them and funny for any spectators, as their mortified and confused faces sometimes helplessly walking away because they didn't see their washroom right in front of them even though it was there.

From here we had started to get our where abouts fairly well and we made our way to the Pantheon. Which is also actually a church. It is a very cool structure. From the inside looking up it really does look like there is a whole in the ceiling. I really don't know a whole lot about it. Well that is a lie kinda. It is in my brain somewhere because I have read about it and heard about it but I don't remember specifically. Luke knows and is a better person always to ask about that kind of thing. 

 

It may not be London, even though we thought about it there, but Luke hopped into the map to figure out where we needed to go. Friends references will forever live with us, and this one has come up often, but this time he followed through with picture.

 

Not to far from the Pantheon is a creepy Pinocchio toy store. We didn't care to go in or stick our head in the face, but there was a creepy doll you could sit with. Did think the wooden motorbike was pretty sweet though.

 

We went past the Trevi fountain but really wanted to see it at night, so we just snapped a few pictures and passerby on our way to the Spanish steps. Even though they are steps and really aren't a lot to see except a little bit of a view from the top, was still sad when we got there and saw that they are currently being restored and cleaned and are closed. So that was sad.

 

But the Trevi Fountain is beautiful and I could sit in front of it and watch it for hours. Both day and night.

 

We had such a great night. We went for second dinner, shared a pizza, had some wine, and after shared some tiramisu. We enjoyed the break, and so did our legs and feet, and just relaxed for a couple hours talking and enjoying our time in Rome. After our lovely time of togetherness we headed around the corner and continued conversation as we sat on the steps of the Trevi Fountain with masses and took it all in. Not to worry, we definitely threw a coin into the fountain, a must. We both wanna make it back here.

 

We really enjoyed Rome. It is a really breathtaking city that has so much history behind. Really everywhere you look. One of the things we heard Rick say a few times in the tours we did today is that Rome 'existed' for a thousand years. The first 500 were the build up getting established and then starting to grow and flourish. The next 200 hundred was where it really peaked and they became the Rome that we hear so much about today. The next 300 years was the fall of Rome. Was interesting thought as well. He also mentioned something about they say as long as the colosseum is around so will Rome be as well, or something like that, which we were talking about later on, is a little of a scary thought in this day in age. 

I could talk in circles about this place. But I won't. Spare you the pain. Rome left a great taste in our mouths, an incredible place that we easily enjoyed. Didn't take many picture of the streets as we were busy taking pictures of everything else, but here are a few to change your view from other sites.

 

It was the perfect ending to a perfect time in Rome. We feel we really got to see the city. Even though it was only two days, we really saw, and also enjoyed Rome to its full potential. The beauty of Rome is everywhere and that was very evident. I really do love Rome, and hope to return hopefully for longer than 2 days.

Another travel day tomorrow, with our sights set on Naples. But first a final Roman sleep.

And so the adventure continues...