First Time in Rome

We arrived in Rome yesterday about noon and walked around after checking in to the hotel.  We were close by one of the churches I wanted to visit to see a famous Bernini statue.  We were humbled going inside while many devout were praying and lighting candles but this is the way the churches are so we did get a couple of photos of the Ecstasy of St. Theresa. 



We walked around a bit after that and went to the fountains that are close by (Trevi and Tritone) and stopped for pizza for dinner across the street from the Tritone.  We walked a bit more and found our first gelato (not from the famous place yet) and it was very good.  I decided I would not be able to have another until Saturday when Joyce (Ed's sister) and Roger (her husband) join us because I know they will want some and my will power will probably not extend much longer than that!  We ate as we walked back to our hotel because we were so tired by this time.  By 6pm we were thrashed so we both went to sleep. I tried to get one email off and I fell asleep about 5 times in the middle of typing!

This morning we were up and ready to go.  We took our time because we knew we would have a long day so we didn't rush to breakfast.  We met some nice people from South Carolina who were headed to the Vatican today and getting on a ship (Celebrity) tomorrow for 12 days.  (Ironically, we met two flight attendants from Ohio at dinner tonight who are getting on the same ship.)  

We had planned to do the major attractions around the Colosseum today, fitting as much of the little individual things in as we could.  We went to Palatine first, then wandered through the Roman Forum with Rick Steves' book which was quite informative.  I also had the Rome is Love Spelled Backwards book which was great for the history.  We read that while we waited for our tour guide at the Palatine.  We are glad we got the guide there.  She was informative and very nice and I loved the accent. 

From the Forum we went to the Colosseum.  It was about 1:30pm by this time and we had not had anything to drink the entire day.  It was about 76-80 degrees here but the humidity was higher than we anticipated so we did not bring clothing that was good for this weather and we were both so hot and sweaty by this time.  Then I had to climb the steps at the Colosseum!  Oh my!  Uneven and slanted a bit without a handrail let me just say I was not my finest moment of the day but the view was worth it. 

We found another little restaurant and Ed had pizza again while I had grilled chicken and vegetables and then we walked back to the hotel returning at about 7pm.  It was a great day!

Ed among the throngs of people at the Colosseum today

Nora's feet standing on 2,000 year old stones.  Who else has walked here, I wonder.  My net thought is..."These are volcanic stones, there are volcano's in Ethiopia so why don't they use stones for their streets so Ashley doesn't walk in mud all the time?" ^_^            Just sayin'....

Standing at the Forum Square with temples and columns and rubble from other buildings all over the place!!