Rome - Such an interesting City
Trip Start
Sep 30, 2009
1
9
23
Trip End
Jan 30, 2010
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Our apartment was a little dingy and musty, but it was cheap, clean and really close walking distance to all the attractions of Rome. Chris started to feel quite unwell here, with a nasty throat and temperature, he had contracted the flu. However not wanting to miss any of the sights he dragged himself out of bed each day to do some sight seeing then crashed again. Every where you walk in this city it is so interesting. Chris and Robyn could have walked longer each day, but the children did not always share the same enthusiasm
Ryan and Mitch at the Colosseum
.We hit the Colosseum on the first day and it was so impressive to see the great amphitheatre accommodating up to 80,000 visitors a day. Now the children understand why it is called the eternal symbol of Roman civilization, it is imposing and with its stories of gladiators and Christian martyrs also a sobering experience. Ryan and Mitchell were most keen to get their picture taken with one of the men dressed in the ancient dress of a Roman soldier until they realized they would have to part with well earned money.
Spanish Steps were beautiful and exhibited on them were slabs of the Berlin wall. Italy was joining Germany is celebrating 20 years since it came down. Amazing as it does not seem like that long ago,
Next day was the trip into the Vatican City; we were hounded by guides wanting to take us on a tour. Having become so suspicious about anyone trying to fleece us of money we were dismissive as soon as approached. However Chris succumbed this time and we got on a tour with a fantastic American girl, who took us through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. The children were captivated by the history and laughed at the tale of one pope who had all the genitalia removed from the statues in the Vatican and the next who had a sculpted fig leaf placed over all the broken bits as he hated seeing them disfigured
Colosseum
. Last time Chris and Robyn visited they didn't even bother to do the four hour plus wait for the Sistine Chapel, so felt quite spoilt to not queue. The Chapel was amazing, the ceiling all the more interesting as it had been so well described by our guide. Michael Angelo certainly had a sense if humour and a lot if patience. We learned he was a sculptor not a painter and turned the Pope down quite a number of times before finally leaving Florence and heading to Rome to spend four years of his life completing the ceiling. He died never realizing how truly famous he would become and that in 2009, on average, 20000 people a day visit the chapel. Finished with a visit to St Peter’s Brasilia and a climb to the top of the dome. The narrow curved stair case that took us to the top was so much fun, it seemed to curve around like to would never end. Instead of taking the lift from the midsection down, Ryan and Mitchell opted to run down to the bottom to see if they could beat us, all we could hear from the lift was their competitive banter and very quick footsteps. On the way home stopped at the Gelato shop which sells more than 100 flavours, Chris even though not well could not resist a small tub of his favourite. Ryan and Mitchell chose Chocolate Pepperinci, not realizing it was a hot spicy flavour, and were gutted that the taste sensation they had been anticipating all day was a total let down. Their description – DISGUSTING!!! Loved our visit to the Pantheon and Piazza Nevona and the list goes on
Rome
. We walked our feet off. Have only written the highlights here, as to list every place we visited in Rome it would bore you to tears (especially you Tracy).Robyn and Chris reluctantly caved into the demands and took the children to McDonalds for a meal. A peel and win sticker promotion, on each item bought, was taking place and much to his amazement Mitchell won a Big Mac, he was chuffed as it then meant we would have to return again so he could claim and eat his prize (did you hear the audible groan from Chris and Robyn).
On the last night we left Chris, with his shivers and a temperature, in bed and headed down to the Trevi Foundation, a masterpiece of baroque Rome where visitors traditionally toss a coin over their shoulders, into the foundation to ensure their return to the great City. Olivia was especially keen to do this as she is determined to return. No convincing her that a return trip will only come through hard work and earning good money, could take away the dream.
PS
Even though Chris was ill, he still rates Rome as one of his most favourite places and would love to return.
Next stop Turkey!!!!
Comments
I feel so privileged to have a special mention in your blog althou I must admit I enjoyed the history of the Vatican, I went there but never absorbed that much information. Sorry to hear Chris was not well for Rome, it is truly a wonderful city but Vience takes some beating I reckon. Love to you all especially the duffers.