|
Rome
Diary.
Sun15th
July
Flew from London to Rome and into another new country for the first
time. Was absolutely buzzing at not being able to communicate with
anyone, well at least until Marie (my travelling buddy) arrived
– a few hours later.
The rest of the day was spent negotiating the Rome train system
and making our way to the campsite where we were staying.
NB: Never listen to bus drivers in Rome. At the station for the
campsite I asked a driver if he knew where the Seven Hills campsite
was, the answer given was no. 15 minutes later when we got to the
turnoff for the campsite – there was the bus – and may
I also point out that it was THE campsite shuttle bus ??? I still
can’t figure it out…interesting start to the holiday.
The campsite where we stayed was a little out of Rome and was more
like an animal sanctuary. Just wandering
round wild were, emu’s, deer’s, dogs, Aussies, Greece.
When you opened your door in the morning it was like, "What
animal is going to walk by now"
Back
to top
Mon
16th July
An early start beckoned. Well a lunchtime departure to be exact
and we were off into Rome to see the famous sites. Our first port
of call was the Vatican City. After a brief queuing period (which
living in London has made me very accustomed to) we entered one
of the most impressive museums. Virtually every room was a masterpiece
in itself. I was amazed at the Louve in Paris but this completely
blew it away. Seeing the walls and ceiling that Michaelangelo and
Raphael painted all those hundreds of years ago gives true testament
to their artistic talents. It is unbelievable.
The Museo Pio-Clemintino is only upstaged by the main tourist drawcard
– the Sistine Chapel. Saying that it is awe-inspiring doesn’t
do justice to the efforts involved in its masterful creation. Unfortunately,
we were not allowed to take photos of its splendour so you’ll
just have to go their yourselves. It is well worth it.
From the museum and Sistine Chapel we ventured outside and into
St Peter’s square where John Paul Popie delivers his masses
to the people of the world. The striking thing for me was seeing
this huge courtyard which is surrounded by pillars with different
marble statues on top of them. Each one as detailed as the person
that it is depicting.
From here we wandered through the streets till we found the Piazza
di Spagna where the famous Spanish Steps are located. Unfortunately
they were being held hostage by a group of presumably top-flight
models that were rehearsing walking down steps for their inevitable
show some days later. As a result we could only manage a few photos
of them on the steps and not us. I don’t understand why they
wouldn’t let us on? What do you mean looks?
Only a short stroll through the streets bought us to the Fountain
of Trevi. If nothing short of spectacular in my opinion, this fountain
is absolutely beautiful. Tradition states that if you throw a coin
into the fountain (from your right hand over your left shoulder)
you will return to Rome. Throw two coins and you will return with
a loved one, and a third coin will indicate marriage. At least I
think I’ve got that right.
Back
to top
Tues
17th July
After yesterdays efforts you may ask what else is there left to
see? Well in Rome that equates to lots lots more.
We set out from our campsite with one main target today. The almighty
Colosseum. Being an avid Asterix fan as a child this was a huge
thing for me, and I can say I wasn’t disappointed.
However when we arrived at the Colosseum there was another queue
about 4 hours long just to get in. Ergo we took a walk with the
intention of returning later. So off we went into the Roman Forum,
which took us past the Arch of Constantine.
I’m no history buff, but the Roman Forum is where people used
to go to debate, philosophise, and generally discuss the direction
of ancient Rome. Julius Caesar himself even financed the building
of an extension to the forum when it became too small for the numbers
of people who were flocking to it.
After taking part in a guided tour by an American man who certainly
knew his history, we made our way back to the Colosseum (which was
literally just down the street) and spent a lovely 2 hours in the
mid afternoon heat of Rome’s summer queuing again. All I can
say is that it was worth every second.
To stand in a structure, which is nearly 2,000 years old, where
thousands upon thousands of men and animals were killed for the
pleasure of the crowd is awesome. TO see where the Caesar’s
that you read about in history books sat & the dungeons where
gladiators prepared themselves before going forth to fight for their
lives sends goose bumps up and down your spine. Least not forgetting
that this structure could seat 80,000 spectators & that when
it was opened they celebrated with 100 days of games…I’m
sorry but we NZer’s just can not compete with that kind of
history.
My best call of the trip came inside the souvenir shop – "wouldn’t
it be cool if they had some of the original stone from the Colosseum
here". Sorry mum, sometimes your son is just plain stupid!
Another interesting thing about the area where we were was the amount
of tours they have around there. There are guides everywhere holding
up flags, umbrellas, handkerchiefs on sticks etc so that people
know where they are. Well we decided that it was about time that
we became tour guides (seeing as we knew so much about the history
of Rome) – hence the Gatorade Tour was born. See photo.
After a few hours we departed in search of the Mouth of Truth. In
the process we went past a green belt (small park) which turned
out to be the Circus Maximus – or the place where the chariot
racing used to take place. If you didn’t have a tourist book/map
– you wouldn’t have known.
The Mouth of Truth is just that. You put your hand in and say something.
Legend says that if you are lying the mouth will close and bite
your hands off. I’m still got both hands (I took the safe option
and didn’t say anything) but I don’t know…call me
sceptical.
Back
to top
Wed
18th July
Today we ventured a little south of the main city of Rome to the
catacombs of St Sebastino. This is the largest underground catacomb
in Italy. Early on Christianity was not recognised in the Roman
world and as a result had to be practised in secret. Quiet literally
underground.
Christian worshipers would travel to the underground catacombs to
pray and after a while they catacombs also became a place of religious
burial. Entire families were buried within these myriad’s of
tunnels. Access is only allowed with guide’s predominately
so you can learn about their history but also so that you don’t
get lost. It is a very eerily experience.
Above the catacombs there has been built a church, I’m not
sure whether it’s a basilica or not, dedicated to St Sebastino.
Inside you can see the arrow which pierced his side (supposedly),
a piece of the marble pillar he was tied to before being stoned
to death, his remains, & most interestingly enough a marble
cast of the footprints of Jesus!
From the catacombs we ventured back to the city centre to have a
look around, in my opinion, one of the most spectacular buildings
of Rome. When people say "Rome wasn’t built in a day"
they certainly weren’t joking. This building (sorry I don’t
know the name of it) is a military building dedicated to Italian
soldiers and it is extraordinarily huge. I would give anything to
have seen it the day it was completed. Very impressive.
Back
to top
|
