Rome

June 1, 2012

After leaving the Vatican City we stopped to get a new SIM card and ate a sandwich for lunch.  Lauren and I did a great job of navigating around the city by the metro.  We went to the Coliseum and paid to take a group tour that was only supposed to last 45 minutes, but lasted a lot longer.  We learned about where the gladiators would enter the arena, what kinds of animals they would use, and where the emperor/women/and peasants sat.  Tickets were free for anyone, so this was the event to be at.

Emperor would Sit at the Cross

Where the Animals were kept

After leaving the Coliseum tour, the Roman Ruins was also included with our ticket.  We got to see what was left of Julius Caesar’s palace and where he was stabbed, but didn’t die in his own house.  We learned about the street that went through town all the way to the Senate, the temples they use to have, and the first basilica.  Mussolini had a summer house in the ruins and also Dmitri’s palace walls still stood.  You could see where they used to have chariot races at his palace.

Palace Walls

Small chariot race

After leaving the ruins we headed for St. Peters in Chains church where we saw the chains that hung St. Peter.  Then we headed to the Church of the Monks which was quite disturbing at the time until we went to Paris.  No photos were allowed, but they made artwork out of the bones of the monks.  Some of the bones still had flesh on them.  Finally, we made it to the Spanish steps where we enjoyed pineapple and strawberry gelato.

Lauren and I wanted to end Rome with the best meal ever.  We went a little bit off the main area and ate at Numbs. It was the BEST pesto sauce I’ve ever had. I overate and wanted more, but we decided we better start heading back!  We took the train back and missed our bus.  We found a nice quiet restaurant to help us get a taxi back to our hotel.  That could of been trouble, but thankfully we had a lot of prayers of protection.