Smile

What a day for sight seeing the old city of what was once the greatest of its time…Rome. The weather was nice, not blazing hot, but cool with a breeze. As we made our way from our hostel we stopped by the tourist information stand to pick up the Roma Pass( 25euros for 3 days, includes your first 2 museums free, and the rest 50% off, beats standing in the ticket line, plus, acts as a metro and bus pass as well). We headed down one of the main streets to make our way to the Roman Forum, Colosseum, and the Palatine Hill. On our way, we stopped by the church titled St. Peter in chains, this church was made famous by the chains that were worn by Peter when he was hung upside down on Vatican Hill. We walked up the steps and entered into a quiet yet known church to a few passerby's. It was amazing to see, plus Michelangelo made a statue of Moses that is to the right of the church and towards the front, it’s the famous one made by Moses contemplating the 10 commandments and what he had just received from God. I was astounded and super happy. These are suppose to be “the chains” of St. Peter and I got to see them. Plus, I’m very fond of Michelangelo’s work as you all know and this was just his technique and I was every more astounded to see one of his works.Moses, by MichelangeloSt. Peter's ChainsThe Roman Forum…. man, did the Romans know how to live, (and Rick Steve’s helps to paint a pretty picture as you are walking through the first piazza ever known). We headed into the forum with our Roma Passes (I would advise go into the most expensive ones listed as your first 2 choices, such as this, where we got into the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum as one entry, plus we skipped the long lines of the Colosseum as well). I was told of many stories as I walked around the forum, and looked upon the ruins and some of the columns that still stood before me. How Rome lasted 1,000 years, 500 years to get established, 200 years on top, and 300 years to fall. One of the greatest ruling cities of all time and now we see what is left of it today, and what we have learned from the Romans as well. I saw where Julius Caesar was burned after he was assassinated, house of the vestal virgins, the arch of Titus, basilica of Constantine, the senate house, temple of Saturn, and much more. It was a sight to see.Arch of TitusFirst Church of RomeJulius Caesar burialWhere flowers are kept for rememberanceTemple of SaturnSweet ground inlaidPalatine HillOn to the most iconic thing in Rome, (Vatican City doesn’t count since its not in Rome technically), the Colosseum. We could already see bits of in while in the Roman Forum and atop the Hill, but actually to walk through it and right in front of it was something else. Can you believe it only took 10 years to build? and Vatican City took 120 years to build? all 4 levels of the Colosseum where built by hand and each level had a purpose. As I was listening to Rick Steves he explained the trap doors where the animals would come out to add to the fighting gladiators, where the vestal virgins had their own person seats to watch the games right across from the emperor himself, and where the nobles were seated on the second level, then the poor, and women at the very top of the colosseum, which is only 1/3 in tact today. I walked across the same grounds that Julius Caesar walked, and pictured the tourists in their togas. It is said that the colosseum with its 50,000 seats could be emptied out in 15 minutes! But I shall leave you to looking at pictures, I have outdone myself on writing today.Colosseum!!Where the emperor would sitThe secret trap doors for the animalsGround floor, belowSecond floor viewRick Steve's! Listening and pictureVenus and Roma statue would have sat back to back hereChristian arch way built by/for ConstantineP.S. Roma- isAmor spelled backwards, that’s why everyone calls Italy, or Rome the city of Love, because Venus- the god of Love and a personification of Roma sat back to back in a temple dedicated to them, two gods under one roof. Trevi Fountain at night!!!

Roma…Amor

Vatican City oh what big walls you have

David… You have left me happy in Florence