Part one – What I've learnt and seen.
I have no intent to wright this blog as a factual history of ancient Rome, Wikipedia does a much better job of that. However I was completely griped by the facts of the construction and culture, during my tour of these building. The most accurate thing that I can document about my feelings of this stage of my visit is the sense of wonderment. Without going to the Colosseum its hard to get a grip on the scale that the Romans build on. It is an enormously big building, really big! Standing 50m tall above ground, 189m wide, and hosting up to 80,000 spectators. It is an incredible architectural feat, that highlights a powerful and bloody history of violence, not just accepted but promoted. Blood for sport, the games were held for 300 years, of gladiators pitted against vicious animals, and each other. Plays were also held in the amphitheater of ancient Greek tails, where when characters died, criminals were brought to perform and actually killed. Constructed of slaves of conquered lands over only 8 year (72-80 A.D.)
After the Colosseum we went to the forum, the economic center of ancient Rome. It is an massive sight, but far from the complete. When the Romans new created builds they would quarry from old sights, only a fragment of the original buildings remain. It is a shame to see sketches of how it might of been, and how little is left now.
I had been a little behind in my photo capturing so I started to over compensate for a few days, until I went to the Pantheon an old pagan temple (constructed for the third time in 126 AD) which is still the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world. Where I took some time to put the camera away and appreciate where I actually was, It is a soulful experience without being religious, awe inspiring; for the extent of the effort that were made to create a place of prayer.
After that I caught the metro train to the Vatican to clime to the top of St. Peters dome, half way up the 521 stairs you can look down from just under the dome to the basilica below, it is a magnificent view, but, nothing on the view from the top, overlooking the city of Rome out to the horizon in 360 degrees.
I have me many amazing people so far on my travels, that I cannot recount all the stories, everyone is so warm open, and friendly travelers and locals alike. Shout outs to all the lovely people I met, and for the stories we have shared; sometimes talking to the early hours of the morning, the inspiration you have given me and the hospitality to offer to show me your home cities and towns.
I had just booked my hostel in Florence, when we started chatting, in the kitchen. Where we were from, what we are doing in life, and our dreams for the future. We wandered through the city, joking and telling each other stories. We got lost a couple of times, or more than a couple, neither of us minding, enjoying each other company. Stopped at the for a moment for gelato, then pasted a bar with many people with painted faces we. We joked about getting ours done as we walked past, grabbing your hand we ran back. Bought the necessary glass of wine, and sat down to get ours done. I love that sense of spontaneity, and attitude finding happiness in the little things. We made our wishes at the Trevi fountain, and through coins over our left shoulders. Very romantic, under the full moon, it takes on a whole new feeling of serene beauty at night. We were fortunate enough to see a man propose to his girlfriend, it was a little tasteless of one of the street vendors to try sell them the Polaroid; not surprising but all part of the experiences we see.
It is a marvelous journey I am on, made only more special by everyone I've met. Some I may see again, some I won't, either way, it has been wonderful experience cross paths.
A night out on town, with new found friends.
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