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Published: April 1st 2010
Rome Marathon
Runners approaching the finish line next to the ForumSunday - 21 March No, I didn't run the Rome Marathon, but I almost walked that distance. My legs are killing me, so I can really sympathize with the runners. This evening, while walking along the Via Corso, I met an older lady (older than me) from Utah. She had come to Rome for her second marathon. Her time was over six hours, an improvement over last year, and she was hoping to improve her time next year. What is it about marathoners who torture their bodies this way! Anyway, the marathon had an impact on our plans as many of the downtown streets were blocked off...for example, the Coluseum Metro was closed. Se we adjusted accordingly.
After dropping my daughter, Tamara, off at the hotel the evening before, my son, Will, went to party and stay with friends. This morning he arrived early at the hotel, all chipper and ready for the day. He also decided to stay with us at the hotel as he was more likely to get some sleep. So we arrange to change to a triple room, which was good since our double room was right on an alley where the sounds of garbage trucks
Cappuchino and Cornetto
Will and Tamara enjoying breakfast at the sidewalk cafe next to our hotel on Piazza Venezia and street sweepers woke us up during the night.
Before flying to Rome, I checked the 10 day weather forecast and the only day this week without rain was supposed to be Wednesday. So I was pleasantly surprised when we exited our hotel to warm sunshine. We had a cappachino and chocolate cornetto (Italian croisannt) at or sidewalk cafe, while watching bike racers...once they close the street they take the opportunity to have many kinds of races. In between races, we crossed the Piazza Venezia to the Capitoline Hill with its Michelangelo stairs and statue of Ceasar Agustus, and nice view of the Forum. I had wanted to visit the Mammertine Prison where the Apostles Paul and Peter were imprisoned prior to their executions, but it was closed for restoration.
Next was the Roman Forum. Fortunately, the ticket line was very short...two minutes and we were in. We strolled from ruin to ruin, reading from Rick Steve's guidebook about each building. It's hard to read and not trip on the Roman Via Sacra...very large cobble stones...more like boulders. Then it was up the Palatine Hill (another of the Seven Hills of Rome) to visit the palaces of emperors
Piazza Venezia with Victor Emmanuel Monument
This monument, also referred to as the Wedding Cake, is opposite our hotel at the south end of the Piazza Venezia, next to the Capitoline Hill. It commomorates the unification of Italy in 1870 and the first king. and catch a view across Rome (St Peters dome in the distance) and the Forum and Colosseum. I think this was our favorite spot...less tourists and large grassy areas and gardens which were quite peaceful. Then we climbed down around the Arch of Titus and to a snack truck next to the Colosseum for a panino with ham and chees and ice tea.
Our ticket from the Forum allowed us into the Colosseum so we avoided the lines. We took the elevator up to the upper level and walked around and down and out after many pictures. We avoided the gladiators and centurions. We couldn't avoid our first gelatto, one of many, where we tried two flavors at a time, so that by the end of our time in Italy we could decide which was our favorite flavor.
By now the marathon runners were passing the Colosseum towards the finish line. We watched awhile, but were not inspired...only tired. So we walked back to the Piazza Venezia for another gelatto before taking a well earned siesta, or whatever the Italians call it.
We must have been tired from the walk and lack of sleep from jet lag,
Climbing Michelangelo's Steps up Capitoline Hill
Tamara and Will climbing the Capitoline Hill steps as we slept until 7 pm. We were just going to go up the Via Corso a bit for a bite to eat, but ended up taking the recommended evening walk, first to the Trevi Fountain. Even at this time of day the place was crowded. The winding alleyways were also crowded. I understand that it is an Italian tradition to take an evening stroll, so it wasn't just tourists adding to the crowd. We proceeded to the Spanish Steps and climbed to the top to a restaurant Will recommended, although he had never eaten there. It turned out to be a very fancy place...waiters in tuxes and a gourmet menu. My daughter ordered pasta, but without the scorpion fish. Actually the prices for the pasta were comparable to other restaurants, but when we got the bill, it was the drinks that were expensive...$8 for a small coke and no refills. We then proceeded down Via Condotti with all the designer stores to the Pantheon for another gelotto. I'm sure we burned more calories walking all over Rome than consummed eating gelatto, so I hope to weigh less when I retuurn home (I gained 3 pounds).
We had planned
Statue of Marcus Aurelius
The philosopher-emperor who ruled Rome from 161-180 AD to continue on the the Piazza Navona, one of my favorite spaces, but heard that all the fountains were closed and surrounded by scaffolding for restoration. So we returned to our hotel for the night for the conclusion of our first day in Rome. Our room had been changed during the day to a three bed room, not on a alley! This was larger, nicer, and quieter.
None of my pictures of our evening walk turned out. Hopefully I will be able to download some of my kids pictures.
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