Rome

Flying out of Amsterdam after lunch we spent the rest of the day travelling to our accommodation. We stayed in a camping ground outside of Rome city called Fabulous Plus Camping. The first night we were in what they called a bungalow and the other 3 nights we were in a tent. The tent was way more fun- it was a permanent, large tent with two single beds.

The next day (Wednesday the 1^st of June) we caught the bus into the city and the metro towards Vatican city, stopping by a small restaurant to have our breakfast at 1130ish [it was more like a brunch] and ate turkey balls [just like meat balls but made from turkey]. After, walking towards the Vatican we were stopped by a tour company employee offering group tours inside the Vatican, which we took as we felt the information the guide could tell us would allow us to get much more out of our visit, not to mention the queue skipping that came with the tour. The Vatican galleries were wonderfully beautiful, large and containing so much Italian culture. There were some particular roman tapestries that were pointed out to us, when you’re standing on the left, approaching it the table down the centre is facing you; and once you pass it and are standing on the right, the table is still facing you. The guide described this technique as perspective and mentioned that perspective was lost in the Middle Ages. Continuing through to the Sistine Chapel, the guide gave us a detailed description of the art works before entry as it is a sacred area and guests are meant to be silent. There are also no photos allowed to be taken inside the chapel, but many of the tourists took some anyway. Some were a little more subtle, while others pointed their large cameras to the roof. Guards would frequently yell for the crowd to be silent or no photography etc. I’ve heard that sometimes guards will actually ask you to delete your photo as they are kicking you out. The tour guide explained that the copy right to the restoration belongs to some company in Japan who paid for the restoration work. Finishing the tour at the entry of St Peters Basilica we left our guide and continued in with crowds of tourist. The entirety, floor, walls and roof were beautifully decorated with spiritual artwork, sculptures including La Pieta by Michelangelo. At times it was overwhelming and we didn’t know where to look because there was so much to take in.

As Gemma had just recently read Angels and Demons and we watched the movie we wanted to see all the sights from the book. We knew that there was an official tour we could take but it cost about 50+ Euros each. We knew the first place; Castel Sant’Angelo was straight down the street from St Peters Square so we found that one easy and walked across the bridge lined with statues, like they did in the movie.  We later googled the other sites so we could visit them on another day

Through backstreets we aimed for the Pantheon. Every corner we turned revealed beautiful streets and had a stereotypically Italian feel. After a while we refrained from taking pictures of every striking walkway. We were slightly overwhelmed by the immensity of the Pantheon and the beautiful art work all around it; but wondered what happens in terms of the hole in the roof, when it rains.

From there we went to the Trevi fountain, which was absolutely packed with tourists but we were determined to get down to the front for a good photo and to throw my coin into the fountain. For those that don’t know, legend has it that if you throw a coin over your left shoulder, using your right hand you will return to Rome.  We spoke to a lady that said the Trevi fountain collects about 3000 euro a day from tourists throwing in their coins; and that it is given to a local charity.  For the fun of it Gem and I threw in our coins.

Unfortunately when we arrived at the Spanish Steps they were partly blocked as construction was taking place for what appeared like concert seating and we later found out it was for the upcoming national holiday parade. We walked up and sat half way for a moment, mapping out our latest route and our plans from here. We still don’t know why they are called the Spanish steps... one of those things we intended to Google but haven’t yet got around to it (if you know, please share the details). Not far from the Spanish steps was the Medici Villa. We first visited a Medici site when we were in Bruges and have since learnt that not only were they an extremely wealthy family and started the first bank ‘as we know them now’ (according to our Vatican guide) they also had two family members who were popes, and employed and trained Michelangelo (as you can see, they had lots going on). Strolling through the side gardens of the Medici Villa where from the wall was an amazing view across the city and the paths were lined with bust sculptures; unfortunately many had graffiti  or had what I called a nose job (in the way that their noses were missing).

The sun was setting for the day and we decided to visit the Colosseum by night. We were in amazement as we exited the metro station straight in front of the site. Standing beside it in awe of the sheer size of it and its splendour lit up at night.

Our plan for the next day was to return to the Forum across from the Colosseum. Getting into the city at about 1.30, the colosseum and the forum were set to open at 2pm due to national holiday parades in the area. We lined up with the crowds and wondered the ancient city of the forum. How excited we were to be amongst the old ruins; reading all the information signs and listening closely to passing English guide groups for further information. It was interesting to imagine the original buildings using the images provided, comparing them with what remains. Half way through wandering the site storm clouds moved in and it started to pour. Many people scattered to find shelter. Gem and I, under a tree at first then after awhile figured we were already wet and just continued to stroll through the ancient ruins. The forum and colosseum housed an exhibition on Emperor Nero and by the end of both visits we felt Nero educated.

As the Forum took up most of the previous day we prioritised the colosseum for the first thing the following day. Again, the structure amazed us; and we’d now seen it one way or another every day we’d been in Rome so far.  Again reading all the signs and tagging on to listen to English speaking guides for further information.  There were sections reconstructed to help outline the original structure like the floor of the stadium and seating; we could also make out marks from where stairs use to run. We learnt that the colosseum was used for all kind of productions, that of the well known gladiator fights as well as animal fights and even aqua fights. Apparently they would fill the base of the stadium enough to have boats float and fight. There were remains which show very detailed graffiti that spectators had made by scratching pictures of battles or popular gladiators into the stone seating/steps. I think for us, part of the enthusiasm comes from, Australia being a relatively young nation; our historical sites are rather modern compared to ancient structures as these.

Using the rest of the day to visit the remaining sites from Angels and Demons, we made our way to the tomb of santi. It was however closed and we continued through the Piazza Nova which contains the fountain of four rivers; towards the ecstasy of St Theresa in the Saint Maria Delta Victoria church. Here there was a service being conducted so we sat in on the mass before looking seeking out the statue we were after.

To conclude our day and our final night in Rome we had dinner at a table by a mafia meeting, and got out of there as soon as we felt they were on to us listening in to their plans. To escape them further we took an early flight out of Rome heading for Volos Greece; we appear to have escaped them... for now.