Travel Day 8 – A Colossal Day
So, today Dean and I visited the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. We were finally in the heart of Rome. For the trip through the Colosseum we listened to audio tour by Rick Steves (just download the app on tour phone and follow the directions while listening to the rich history and story he tells) and that’s all you need. Actually we also had his audio guide for the Forum too. Once more the Colosseum was incredible. The sheer man and horse power used to build the thing, let alone all that happened within its walls as well as around the city at that time is a wonder. Did you know they also used to have wooden pillars at the 4the floor used to secure a canvas over 1/3 of the arena for some much needed shade. All I could do was imagine the some 50,000 people chanting and cheering as the games were on. All in their white togas as lions ripped to shreds the gladiators or other animals they were pitted against. As man taught man to the death. The Colosseum is all I think about when I picture Rome.
After the tour was over and we explored some more we made our way over to the Forum, but first we went up Palentine hill to visit the ruins of Cesar’s palace and the views they had over the city during their rule. My what a sight overlooking the Forum as well. Being able to look at the Forum in this perspective before traversing through it really gave you a sense to the landscape. Walking the Forum after viewing it a top the hill was just as satisfying. Also, looking back at the hill from the Forum shows just how daunting and monstrous it really was. If only it were still standing today much like how I wish the structures in the Forum were still there but alas it will just remain a wish.
Once we were finished with our tour in the Forum we sat down for a quick bite to eat just near Trevi fountain, but we didn’t visit as that was on the itinerary for tomorrow. Instead we made our way over to the Knights of Malta Keyhole and the gardens and parks around it. The parks were gorgeous and had hardly any tourists in them. I guess most people just don’t want to walk as far as we did. It was more than worth it though. The views of the city in the garden on the right of the keyhole are magnifico, and the view through the keyhole is even better. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it’s just as a said, worth the walk.
On our way back we stopped by a rose garden. And well there’s not much to say about it because as they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and these should say everything I hope.
Now for dinner. After we got back and relaxed at the hostel for a bit we made our way out to dinner around 20:00. Initially we made our way to a well reviewed restaurant about 5 minutes from the hostel, but when we arrived we found out that it was by reservation only and the latest reservation was next Thursday after we were gone. So, we decided to continue to search and found ourselves on a nice little side street and walking into an almost empty restaurant. We almost didn’t even go in but (for the better) we sat down at a table and looked at the menu. Dean (bless his soul) found at the back of the menu a 5 course meal option for €20, and when ordering found that we each had to get it. Good because I wanted the same thing too! As we ordered a few other tables filled up, and as Dean pointed out, all were locals meaning only 2 thing: this was a place they enjoyed and must be good. Boy. Was. It. Ever. I HAVE TO SAY that the meal was one of THE BEST dinners I have ever had. Each course was perfection and every bite even more delicious than the last. Grabbing some house wine (I got a 1/2 litre of house wine for €6 WOO) the courses came but they took their time. We were sitting there for over 2 hours as we polished every plate thrown at us. If I were wearing a belt that night I would have had to loosen it, thankfully I wasn’t however. After we finished we made our way back to the hostel we were both beat. Each of us had 30,000+ steps from that day alone, plus the incredible food so sleep was in sight. I was out in 20 minutes and Dean not far off after me (he told me). As for the name of this amazing restaurant you’ll have to ask me in person, because I want to keep it just as we left it. Tomorrow will be just as amazing as today I hope, as we have now covered over half the city just in walking!
~Spencer
