Seriously, one of the most exciting, exhilarating experiences of our lives but also one of the most tiring. I am sure that we walked, easily, over 50 miles in the last 2 days. We would start out each morning on one of the tours (Either the Romeing Tour or the Vatican Tour) and end the day back at the hostel tired, hungry and in need of showering! But, oh, was it ever so worth it! Experiential learning at it's best!
I really think that pictures will do more justice than words in this situation so I will leave you with some of the most important pictures taken during our Romeing Tour. (Overview of Rome and such.)
Palatine Hill (the hill Rome was founded on) and Emperor Flavian's palace. This palace housed several Roman Emperors throughout history. This palace overlooks Circus Maximus, now a city park, that once hosted chariot racing along it's long outdoor corridor. (You can get a picture for how long the corridor was.)
Ruins of the Roman Forum. The Forum served as the city square where residents gathered for justice and faith. It was also the economic hub of the city.
Mickey outside of the Colosseum. Wow. It is said that during the "First 100 Days" festival of the Colosseum's inception that upwards of 9,000 gladiators, criminals and wild animals were slaughtered for entertainment inside of it's walls sometime around 81 A.D.
More views from the Forum. You can see the Colosseum in the background. I still cannot believe we stood on the same grounds as the Ancient Romans.
Again, more of the Forum.
A park built among the ruins. One thing I found most amazing was the fact that ancient ruins and modern civilization coexisted in Rome as though there was no difference. I'm sitting here eating pizza margherita staring at the Roman Colosseum...unbelievable!
The Pantheon. Unbelievable. The remains of Raphael are right inside of those walls. So, too, is the largest dome ever constructed with no rebar reinforcement. It is an architectural mystery.
Crumbling arches part of the Forum.
The "smaller" Colosseum still used today as apartments. Our guide said that, in fact, Sophia Loren keeps an apartment here. Amazing that a once used ancient ruin can now serve as apartments.
More shots from inside the Colosseum:
The seating within the Colosseum was highly regulated. Only Emperors and Statesmen were allowed to sit within the first 3 rows. The seating for commoners would have been at the very top of the what remains of the Colosseum today.
The seats behind this cross (not there in ancient times) was reserved for the Emperor so that he could obtain the best view of the entertainment.
Doesn't he just look like he's itching to jump in and try it out??? Someone get this man some armour and a sword!
For me, I think that the main theme I'll take with me from this day was something that our guide kept reinforcing, "The Romans didn't do anything unless it was COMPLETELY unnecessary and over the top." I couldn't agree more. Unbelievable day; Unbelievable culture of people!
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