Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vittoriano Emmanuel II, Random Catheral, Trevi Fountain




Getting into Rome via public transport is an experience all in itself.   There are no timetables and the buses and trams are absolutely packed.  We all got split up getting on the bus today, Nicolette and I at the back with the little kids and Allan and Taylor squashed in the middle with the buggy.  Because we had the little kids when some woman pushed their way onto the bus other people started yelling because we had ‘Bambini’s’ with us.  It was all a bit exciting, we were just glad that no fights broke out.  Getting off the bus was also fun; we managed to get off at the Coliseum while Allan and Taylor were so packed on that they couldn’t get off.  It was all a good laugh; we just did some shopping while we waited for them to return.  Today was off to the Roman Forum.  We had no idea how big it was.  The Forum is located in the valley between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hills; it was once the centre of commerce, markets, gladiator matches, government, trials, public speeches and so on.  It is now a sprawling valley of fantastic ruins.  Everywhere you look is something else to see, there was so much to take in.  We were constantly amazed at the sheer size of the statues and temples.  We can’t even begin to imagine the amount of time and effort (slavery) was put into making everything in ancient Rome.  Last Easter Granddad sent a little bunny home with Taylor for Leo.  Bunny has been a very special friend for the past year, unfortunately bunny was thrown over a wall and ended up inside a horse/chariot stadium, he did not return home with us much to Leo’s distress! It was hot and sunny at the forum, it took us most of the day to get around.  Following the Forum we made our way to Vittoriano Emmanuel II a huge white monument made of pure white marble.  Once again another giant monument with another cool cathedral.  There were 100’s of steps leading up and around the monument, Leo was crashed out in the buggy so we took this one in shifts because we didn’t want to carry him all through the building. From here we walked down to the Pantheon being continually amazed by every building and corner that we looked around.  By the time we arrived the Pantheon was closed, so we put this on the list to come back and visit.  Next was lunch/dinner (5pm) we usually pack a lunch and are home for dinner, but it has been tricky with all of the public holidays to go to the supermarket.  We found a funky little restaurant that didn’t seem like a tourist trap and enjoyed some Italian lasagne for our meal. After our meal we visited some random Cathedral that was open, Taylor counted over 200 cathedrals just in the tourist area.  Once again it was very impressive with huge marble pillars and structures.  Before the day ended we walked a little further to the Trevi fountain.  The Trevi is 26m high and 20m wide, it was completely packed with people.  Corban almost went in head first and Taylor threw a coin over her shoulder into the water (apparently this is what you do if you want to return to Rome).  Another great day, we all had tired sore feet, were exhausted and ready to tackle the bus home.  We took 490 photos today!!

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