Today we traced the rise and fall of the Roman empire. The “rise and fall” meant lots of walking up and down stairs.
But it was worth it. We saw the Colosseum. Wow! It was really very easy to visualize the action there: the gladiators, the crowds, the lions, the Christians. Truth is really stranger than fiction.
Then we visited the Roman Forum. Fascinating! My favorite spot was the palace of the vestal virgins. If they didn’t make it through thirty years of abstinence, they were buried alive with a loaf of bread and a lamp. ?? Again, truth is stranger than fiction.
The weather continues to be incredible! We’re told by the locals that this is unusual, that March is usually rainy. But we just had that first evening of rain and then sun ever since. As my sainted mother used to say, “bad start, good finish.” That’s been true so far for this trip…
It’s St. Patrick’s day so we’re heading out to the only Irish bar in the area, Mad Jacks. :):)
They call them “ruins” because of what they do to your knees.
Rome is so wonderful –and with that perfect weather you must be having a spectacular trip. I can’t wait to see more photos and hear the stories.
🙂 Now THAT makes sense! Back then most folks probably didn’t make it to their 60s, so knees weren’t so important? They’re essential for the hill towns for sure – and these ruins!
Do you remember all of the “gladiators” outside the Colosseum? I will have to tell you about our Great Gladiator Encounter when we get back. Horrific at the time, but now I guess it’s just another travel story. (I have PGSD now: post gladiator stress disorder.) Fyi, it’s Bunny posting this reply.
We fortunately didn’t have any gladiator encounters when we were there. Seeing your post, I found an old Guardian article about unlicensed scammers posing as the “real” ones. Hope it wasn’t too awful.
They were MEAN. I just wanted a picture of one of them holding Creased Benjamin. I offered them 2 euros and they held his photo and we took a picture. Then they proceeded to drag all of us up on their “stage”, they grabbed Marty’s camera, took pics and then demanded 20 euros. Yipes!!! Anyway we survived. I’ll be recounting all of this to my therapist in a couple of weeks. 🙂
Hi Bunny and Marty and Scot, THANKS! for including us on your trip. Y’all seem to be having a wonderful time, and it’s so terrific Ben could go, too. You haven’t missed a thing around here. Jonathan
Hey Jonathan! Thanks for reading the blog and commenting. 🙂 We should have some Chianti and papa Murphy’s pizza ( 🙂 ) when we return (I’m actually getting tired of chianti – at least my liver is…) and hear about your italian stories. See you soon!