October 5: Rome

October 5 Rome

We awoke to the sound of a rooster telling us that it was time to get on the road. We obeyed. The drive to Rome was very easy. There was next to no traffic on the autostrada and so I was able to maintain a decent and yet not excessiive speed. We arrived at Camping Roma at around 10:30

After choosing our site and having a bit to eat we set off to explore Rome. With maps and directions in hand, we felt like public transportation pros and had no trouble finding our way to the ancient centre of Rome. The sight that greeted us as we stepped out of the Metro station was none other than the Colosseum. Built in eight years, the Colosseum used to hold 60,000 spectators who watched various blood sports. In all, over 700,000 men were killed in various "games" at the Colosseum. Animals were imported and used for sport as well. It was not unusual to keep a pack of hyenas in captivity and without food for two weeks. The sport was then to put those hyenas in the ring with a man who had been covered with blood.

After the Colosseum we headed off to Palatine Hill, the legendary home to brothers Romulus and Remus. Our tour guide was a student who was completing his PhD in Ancient Christian Archaeology. He was excellent and gave us a great history lesson, telling us all about the various emperors and the long history of Rome in a very understandable manner while pointing out significant ruins.

On our own we visited the private home of Emperor Augustana. I sure wish that I had paid more attention in my ancient history class in grade 10 instead of worrying about what I was going to wear to the dance!

It is difficult to find the right words to decribe the sights we saw today. To stand where emperors and gladiators once stood and marvel at the amazing feats of engineering that took place here makes one feel somehow so tiny and insignificant.

Tomorrow we go to Vatican City.