Rome (Italy) | A Museum with a Blue Ceiling - 7 Apr, 2023

 

This view of the Colosseum from the northwest is quite impressive. Unfortnately, there are few places where there is adjacent to the Colosseum.

As I wander around Rome, several things are evident. First, Rome is a giant outdoor museum with a beautiful skyline. It's rare that I can spend several days learning so much about ancient civilizations while being outdoors. Second, I've been blessed to start my trip and have had great weather. Most of the days start overcast and give way to sunshine in the afternoon. Notably, it has been windier than I expected here, particularly in the evenings, which makes the nights relatively cool.

I spent a good portion of the day on a tour of the Colosseum. It is a fantastic site to see. Unfortunately, most interior building materials have been stolen for use in other buildings. Nevertheless, being inside reminds me of a modern-day sports arena for a hockey or American football game. The place must have been electric and buzzing with excitement when games were being held.

Another thing I have noticed while in Rome is that it is packed with tourists. I expected this to a large degree. However, the reality is far more impressive than I expected. Everywhere I look, I see groups of people with tiny devices hanging around their necks, headphones in their ears, and a guide holding up a staff with a colored handkerchief for people to follow. As I watch the people walk by, most look melancholy. The intent is to allow people to hear clearly what the guide is saying, but I wonder if, in doing so, they have made the tours impersonal? 

Palatine Hill was the most important religious center in ancient Rome and also where Emperor Augustus established a vast complex of buildings that served as the home of all Emperors for > 300 years. The view of the Roman Forum below is stunning.

When visiting ancient ruins, I frequently hear of materials being stolen from other structures and repurposed for new buildings. However, seldomly do I encounter examples of repurposed materials. However, the Portico d'Ottavia clearly shows this was a common practice. Notice the remains of columns placed horizontally on the roofline of the building. 

Wandering around large cities, I frequently notice how people spend their recreation time. What are the resources that they have at their disposal? Where are the places that attract them? It helps me understand what people value in the community. For example, near the Colosseum, I encountered a beautiful skate park. Unlike parks in the United States, I notice that this one is being used.

The Tiber River, which divides Rome, is another place that people frequent. Many simply lounge along the walkways enjoying the afternoon sun.

One thing I was not prepared for was hail. An afternoon thundershower hit Rome while I wandered the Tiber River's west side. Fortunately, I found a church with a great big porch to wait out the storm. This storm was not nearly as severe as the day I spent in Gavarnie, France, but I would have been soaked nevertheless were it not for the church. Piles of hail line the streets well into the evening hours. 

Rome was a great place to reboot my travels to Europe. I enjoyed the outdoor museum immensely. However, Rome is not known as a culinary destination, and I found the food to be about average overall. There are so many sites to see that it was sometimes difficult to track what I saw. There are so many ruins that some are simply not significant and therefore remain unmarked. 

Next up is Naples. I look forward to moving south into Italy and exploring better culinary destinations. Naples is a three-hour train ride south of Rome. This destination will bring me back to the coast and into a place known for its food. I look forward to revisiting the coast. It's always a special place for me.