When in Rome, Do as the Romans!

Well, just got back from Italy! Rome was pretty cool, decided Italians are a bit too much for me to handle though.  I ate gelato every day (as expected) and truly enjoyed it (as expected).

The food was amazing. Let’s start off there, and cut right to the chase. We found this amazing pizza place, a little hole in the wall, but man was it good. We went back the next day! I got one with mushrooms and then one that was just tomato sauce with bread, but the tomato sauce was amazing.We found the Gelato Frigerium that was recommended to me, and there was a line out the door, so we figured we’d better try it. I did forget how cheap food was in Spain though- I did not account for how expensive food was going to be in Rome! At this point, I have also taken over 4,000 pictures on my camera. I still have one month left.

The architecture of the city was really cool; you would like be walkin’ along and then bam! Random ruins from 2,000 years ago. Or all of the sudden this gorgeous fountain would be in front of you or elaborate church. The only down fall though, was that everything was pretty much cream. I also decided there were not enough plants and greenery, and that while Rome is very beautiful, it is man-made beautiful; it is not naturally a beautiful city.

After catching our 6:50 am flight (we caught the bus to the airport at 4:40 am) we were pumped to be in Rome! We made our way to the hostal, and put our stuff down. Our first site to see was the Collesseum! We got conned into taking a street tour (which was way too expensive) but I guess we learned something, and can’t change it now, so it’s whatever. Built in 72 AD, this is the most well known and biggest amphitheater ever built. It was built because the Emperor wanted a place for all of his residents to fit, and enjoy the gladiator games. Seating 1 million people, women and slaves were only allowed at the top of the amphitheater, and the king was down at the first row. As you got closer to the stage, the more expensive your ticket was.  It was also interesting to learn that the word “arena,” that we use today stems from this time. Sand was the only substance that could absorb the blood from the battles, and the Spanish (and apparently Latin word) for sand is “la arena.” To this day, that is still what we refer to these structures as!

 During the Renaissance, the Collesseum was reconstructed a bit, and that is where the red brick comes in. The original building was all the white marble, and you can still see parts of it there today. It is interesting that the building is only 35% of what it used to be, which you can imagine how big that is. Or maybe you can’t- I don’t know your life. The other thing is that 2 major construction materials that we still use today were created specifically for this project hundreds of years ago. Without red brick and wet cement, the modern housing department might be very different. I also did not know they did not fight to the death in these gladiator wars. The emperor believed that he was paying for their good health and had to pay even more if they ended up dying, so in a match when a gladiator was losing very badly, he would look to the emperor to be pardoned, and the emperor would pardon him. Much like the other amphitheaters we have seen, this one had a wooden cover in the middle of the arena. On top of the wood was where the sand went. Though it is removed now, you can see the under part of the stage, where the animals were housed. There was an elevator and everything to raise the animals up. I took a picture of the English information for my Grandpa to read. It’s like he gets to see everything in the museum without paying the 12 euro. You’re welcome, Grandpa- just remember this when you are Christmas shopping. 

 

Next, we headed to the Imperial Forums which are really just Roman Imperial squares that were built over 100 years (46 BC to 113 AD). One is called the Forum of Augustus and was created by Octavian after murdering Julius Cesar and it was built to honor the god Mars of War.This also included Palatino Hill, a palace that was so big I can't even comprehend it. It was five stories and had it not had a roof on it, I would have thought it was a farm. That big.

Trevi Fountain: Ya see it in movies, ya hear about it on T.V. Well, I found it! This fountain was huge! It was so exquisitely sculpted as well, and coming across it that first night was breathtaking. What you do is take a coin and toss it over your right shoulder. Apparently, this means I will now get married, what a relief… I need a piece of cake. Make that 5, the fountain’s got me covered. 

After the Trevi fountain, we made our way to Piazza di Spagna, or the “Spanish Steps.” They were giant steps that everyone seemed to botelleon on, but it was crawling with gypsies. It’s a good thing I was only in Rome for 3 days because I couldn’t take another day of the gypsies.  I caught two gypsies trying to tag team me in the train station, I don’t understand how they morally justify stealing from people. And the Pope lives right there, Catholic people are always trying to convert everyone, where is the Pope when it comes to the gypsies hangin’ out in his town! Regardless, these steps are the widest staircase in all of Europe and opened in 1725. Now that we know that fact we can all get on with our lives.

And that was all just day 1.
Day 2: We woke up bright and early and by the end of the day had walked about 12 miles.
We stumbled across 2  churches that we popped in to view and wow were they elaborate. While I can appreciate the art that went into these structures, part of me wonders how they could justify spending all that money on decorations when they had followers bed ridden, starving, and whatever else. But, hey, that's coming from someone who isn't affiliated with a church so my opinion is virtually worthless.

We also found the Trevi Fountain again, I liked it better during the evening.

After wandering some more, we ran into the river! I had been meaning to find it, and just on the other side was Vatican City. I was more concerned with the gothic church on the shore though, and I was surprised I hadn’t seen very much Gothic architecture.

Pantheon: Again, this is only something you see in text books! Built in 126 AD, it is now a church that was gorgeous. It was also the tomb of 2 Italian Kings, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto, along with his wife. This is one of the best preserved ancient pieces of architecture and there were so many people.

Castel St. Angelo was up just a ways from the river, and was where they filmed Angels and Demons. This was originally the home to Emperor Hadrian, and then later transformed into a fortress for the popes. This is still connected to the passageway the pope would take to flee in a time of war. The Angel was pointing straight down and it was cool how the castle lined the Vatican. Before we knew it, 4 miles away from our hostal, we were at Vatican City! We decided to return the next morning bright and early since it was closed for All Saints Day. Lucky we decided that because you can’t wear shorts and you must wear sleeves to enter.

Cat’s Palace: This is what used to be Pompey’s theater, but now is more commonly known as Cat’s Palace, because of its new inhabitants and the no-kill cat shelter located behind it. This is the spot where Julius Cesar was killed and was rediscovered in 1909 during a reconstruction project.

 

 After that we wandered to Piazza Navona, which is just a popular nighttime hangout spot with three giant fountains. It was pretty and really busy with street performers and venders.

Saturday we had to catch our flight that afternoon, but we still had to see the Vatican. We had heard that the lines get insane, so we knew we needed to be there before it opened at 9. We walked all 4 miles there, in my flip flop sandals. We figured out that Friday and Saturday we probably walked about 12 miles each day. No wonder when we got home Saturday night I slept for 12 hours straight (not to mention the 3 hours I slept on the plane).  Anyway, we got there, and made it into St. Peter’s Basilica by 9:15, which was awesome. The place was huge and so beautifully decorated. 

The only problem was, I was off taking pictures and lost my friends! I was convinced I was not going to find them. For about an hour I wandered by myself, and just decided I was going to have to figure out how to walk back to the hostal by 1:30 when we needed to be back. Then, when everyone had to stop, I heard them whisper my name. I was so excited! We had to stop to watch some important person walk through… haha, my lack of Catholicism knowledge told me that.  Someone in a purple suit. Bishop, cardinal, I do know it wasn’t the Pope though!

The last site we saw was Piazza del Popolo, a plaza that centers around an Egyptian totem pole like statue. Dating back to the age of Ramses II, the Romans stole this Egyptian obelisk in 10 BC under the order of Augustus. At this point in our trip, we were so tired all we did was sit and look at it. But, hey, that’s enough.

This car is small compared to a smart car! It only had three wheels! I had to take a picture.

That's the cream of the crop when it comes to my pictures. As great as Rome was, I don't think I need to return- but Sevilla, it's captured my heart. No me ha dejado (NO8DO). I am looking forward to just hanging out in this lovely city for the next two weeks before I jet off to Barcelona!