Well its been a pretty busy few days but its been great. Got the hostel around 8am, checked in then decided to go for a walk with a Brazilian girl who had just checked in as well. It was just to stretch the legs before having a sleep but we ended walking around half of Rome... Colosseum, Circus Maximum, across the Tiber over the Isola, Campo di Fiori, Piazza Navona, Panthenon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain... it was great.
For most of the time we just wandred along following the flow of the people, wherever they were going. Stumbling on the the Panthenon was completely by accident and like Mum and Dad used to say - you just walk around a corner and *bang* there it is!! The Colosseum was impressive but I found the Panthenon even better. The people that were around was crazy, not just tourists but it seemed every hot Roman girl was out strutting her stuff as well. By the end of the day my feet and knees were sore from walking and my neck sore was looking around.
Italy would have to be the most random place I have been to for a developed country... people parking where they want, driving how they want, crossing the road wherever... rules? What are they?
Had a kip in the afternoon then up for a couple of hours before going to bed at 9:30 very tired but happy.
Yesterday went out to some more places that had been suggested to me by a couch surfer. From the Piazza del Popolo, across to the Porta Pia, back down the Via XX Semptebre, just having a general wander and checking things out.
Jumped on a tour at 3pm of the Colossuem - Palatine Hill and then walked through the Forum. Fantastic. Colosseum was impressive and you could imagine what it mustve been like walking out there to fight with the place full. Palatine was alright, but the Forum got me the most excited, standing on the steps of the Curia Hostilia, thinking this is where the plebs wouldve been standing watching the Senate in action, and behind them was the Rostrum where the tribune of the plebs would run out and complain to the crowd about the laws the senators were passing.
Was about 8pm by the time we got back. showered then went around the corner for dinner then to bed. Tired, sore but very happy :)
This morning is a tour of the Vatican then a catacombs / Via Appia tours this afternoon.
Ciao
Matt
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