It was our first full day in Rome. We woke up and when the buzzer rang, we came out to
meet our guide Laura who was to take us on a walking tour of Ancient Rome. On the
way to our first stop, the Arch of Constantine,
she told us the history of the founding of the city and gave us the background we would
need to put the Forum,
Palantine, and Coliseum
into the proper context.
We couldn't help but take a lot of pictures of the Arch
As we marched on, we also saw remarkable views of the city
which our presence only enhanced
This is one of the best preserved buildings we saw
with the original doors (and rumor has it that the original key is also around).
This all made us ready for the next arch
and a look into the old ruins in the area
followed by yet another forum of columns
which Jane and Benjamin enjoyed
Next we saw the place where Julius Caesar was cremated
though we were told that he actually wasn't assassinated here. This is a memorial to
him.
There followed more pictures of columns
Those of you who endured our Egypt series will be grateful that there are no
hieroglyphics in Rome.
Next we saw the so called mile marker
Since all roads lead to Rome, there needs to be a place in Rome from which their distance
is measured. Well, this is it.
There followed more arch pictures
This column
gives a sense of just how high the mud rose during the years the Forum was abandoned.
We again peeked out to views of Rome
before visiting the rooms of the Senate
Then, some last pictures of columns
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before heading up to the Palatine for an overview
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We also paused to take pictures of the remarkable palace on the Palatine
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including the dining room
not to mention pictures of some of us
On the way to the coliseum, we paused for a food break
from these guys who had good hot dogs.
When we got there, the gladiators
welcomed us at the outside structure
but we quickly went inside
and took pictures of the area (formerly underground) where the gladiators warmed up
and of the stands
where Jane sat
and chatted with Benjamin
and watched Sarah and Suzanne
as they all waited
for things to start.
Eventually we made our way to the area
where people must have snuck out for a smoke.
After lunch, we stopped on the walk home to get gelato
and then came home for naps.
Eventually we headed back out but some of us made it across the avenue and had to wait
for the others
On our walk, we passed people staging a sit in for this cause
this car
that the kids love
and this artifact
of America.
Eventually we got to the Piazza Navona
with this wonderful fountain
this obelisk
these people on stilts
and this King Tut impersonator
We ended the night with dinner at a café nearby. This person
kept her phone call going for our whole meal.
And we ended the night with a picture
of the birthday girl.
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she told us the history of the founding of the city and gave us the background we would
need to put the Forum,
Palantine, and Coliseum
into the proper context.
We couldn't help but take a lot of pictures of the Arch
As we marched on, we also saw remarkable views of the city
which our presence only enhanced
This is one of the best preserved buildings we saw
with the original doors (and rumor has it that the original key is also around).
This all made us ready for the next arch
and a look into the old ruins in the area
followed by yet another forum of columns
which Jane and Benjamin enjoyed
Next we saw the place where Julius Caesar was cremated
though we were told that he actually wasn't assassinated here. This is a memorial to
him.
There followed more pictures of columns
Those of you who endured our Egypt series will be grateful that there are no
hieroglyphics in Rome.
Next we saw the so called mile marker
Since all roads lead to Rome, there needs to be a place in Rome from which their distance
is measured. Well, this is it.
There followed more arch pictures
