Frazier Blog

Big day today! I had my Roma pass in hand (great deal 2 free entries and free transit for 3 days for 25 Euro) and was ready to see the Coliseum and Forum.

Taking the metro redefined my definition of cramped. The train stops about where I was standing on the platform and a mob of 5 deep people were all trying for one door. Soon I no longer had to move or stand because the mob handled it for me. The doors closed and I could not move.

Even after 12 days of amazing sights my first glimpse of the Coliseum wowed me. Even by today’s standards it towers in the sky. If people were all wearing the same colored shirts I would have thought I was on my way to a sporting event.

I started my Rick Steves audio guide and headed for the entrance.  I always go for the shortest line and assume my pass grants entrance as it almost always does. As I strolled past a never ending line of ticket less tourists and a smaller but still long line of people in tours that were promised a short line I reached the non existence line for those with Roma passes and was inside. Passes are like Staples easy buttons.  There was not even a security check today which saved even more time.

Once inside, the 1800 year old building continued to impress me. I leisurely strolled around taking it all in. I enjoyed the history lesson courtesy of Rick Steves and sat down to delete photos from
my camera so I could take some. I turned on “Eye of the Tiger” and went to work. Hard to delete.  I think I might need to buy another card.

Walked around and took photos of the place while listening to   “let’s get ready to rumble”.

Exited and found a cafe off the beaten path and found a cheap sandwich for lunch then got some gelato and was off to the Forum.

I could not believe how many ruins still exist today. Crazy thinking that I walked though what used to be the center of the hub of the Roman Empire. The senate building exists largely as it did 1600 years ago thanks to the use of it as a church for many years. Crazy to think about what wars were planned and approved in that building. Again the free Rick Steves audio guide was great. I finished the tour and just sat and admired for a bit then left.

 Walked around the Capital Hill area and than made my way to the Pantheon. Sadly it was closed due to a festival. Next stop the Trevi fountain. I made a detour into some churches near by. Really cool, thanks Rick for the recommendation.

Fountain impressed me and I sat and enjoyed. Watched people get in trouble for laying backwards into it. Threw a coin over my shoulder and went towards the Spanish steps. Honestly did not know what I was looking for. But then I found them, lots of steps. So I walked up them. Great view of people and the city. I think the area contains many shops as crowds of people filled the nearby streets. Headed for the hostel.

Called the girls from Florence and set up a place to meet so we could go find a dinner spot. Got there but they were no where in sight. Looked for a group of 4 girls but could not find them.  15 minutes overdue I popped in my sim card and gave them a call.  A dollar a minute later I found out they were on their way. In the mean time I asked the policeman guarding the square if I was in the right place and they were now startingto make fun of me. 5 minutes later my phone rang and I found out they were at a different place. We set up a new place to meet.

Picked a restaurant. My meal was good and the wine was cheap. During dinner I learned they had never had gelato!!!! Afterwards we quickly set out on a quest for a good gelato place. Found one. Always good when you can see the machines in back. After enjoying great gelato at an awesome
place I suggested we go chill at the Spanish steps. We picked up some wine along the way.

We passed a drunken man and his wife at a restaurant he gave me a flower and she gave it to Steph. For a second it looked like he was going to hand me a wad of cash.  As we approached one of the girls was given a flower by a street vendor. As I suspected I was asked to pay for it. I gave him two Euros.  I wanted to do less but that was all I had. He asked for more, I said no.

As we reached the steps we observed a wedding party taking photos at the bottom and guitars were beginning to play. Soon another joined.  Music, friends, nice weather and a fountain make for a great night.  They started with Cat Stevens and the Beatles. Just when we thought
it was going to be all oldies we hear in Italian the English “the party don’t start till I walk in” oh Kesha, followed by Black Eyed Peas.  A good part of the crowd joined in singing “tonight’s going to be
a good night” then some Jason Maeqz.  Next was Italian music prompted by a local guy and then more Cat. We tried to request Journey and Tom Petty but they had neverheard of them.

Walked the girls back to their hotel. We talked about maybe checking out a festival thing tomorrow night. I got home after taking several wrong turns. Took me 20-30 minutes longer than it should have.

Whew that was a day(a great day),

Paul