All Roads lead to Rome Day 1

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we tried to see it all in three days.

Monday, May 16

John had trouble sleeping last night.  He woke up at 3:00 and couldn’t get back to sleep.  We are 9 hours ahead of Pacific time.

On your marks, get set, GO!

Hitting the #64 bus at 9:00 am at the incredibly busy terminal, we know how sardines feel.  Watching out for pickpockets is essential in Rome.  We don’t carry wallets, only money belts and in busy areas, John wears his backpack in front.  So far no losses.

With 2700 years of history, we had to make some decisions.  Our first destination was the Pantheon.  We got off only one stop too late and had no trouble finding the building. This dome of all domes has stood since the first century BCE and is still one of the largest unsupported domes in the world.  It was done without electrical or steam power, algebra or computers.  The only math was clunky Roman numerals.  It truly has stood the test of time.

My Rome rule #1: If you turn around you will see a huge church.

Corollary:  You may not have to turn around.

What a day of walking we had!  Through the western end of Rome, over the Tiber to the very edge of the Vatican, back across the Tiber again.  We worked our way through innumerable piazzas, any one of which would have been a great monument for any other city.

We ended up passing the obscenely gross monument that Mussolini put of to Italy’s King Victor Emannuel that overshadows the wonderful ruins of the Roman Forum.  Most people agree that the monument was really to Mussolini’s ego.

We finally spent some time at the ruins of Trajan’s Forum and marketplace, probably the world’s first shopping center.  Those early Roman’s really thought of everything!

We found another #64 bus and worked our way back to our hotel.  A man even graciously gave Donna a seat on the bus.  Only 5 hours of walking through Rome’s busy streets.

My Rome rule #2:  If you don’t watch where you are going, you will probably get run down by a car, bus, or motorcycle.

Corollary: #1:  Even if you do watch out, there is no guarantee that you won’t get run down.

Corollary #2:  Crosswalks, stop lights and other traffic controls are only optional.

We dined at a neighborhood restaurant.  Surprise… Italian food! Donna had a bowl of minestrone and John had some home made ravioli.  No salads or side dishes included.  It ran us about $30 in US funds.  Rome is expensive!

We ARE getting somewhat city-wise.

Photos:  Donna with St Peters in distance, Piazza Navarona