Ancient Rome, Italy

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Although we were exhausted and ready to sleep in anything other than an uncomfortable airline chair we were so excited to be in Rome that our first day started at 7 am. Our hostel provided a nice continental breakfast, so after about three shots of espresso each, we were on our way to see the city (by foot of course).Gian Carlo (owner of our B&B) was there to greet us the night we arrived in Rome and had created a walking map for us to follow so we knew where most of the important sites were located. Our B&B was in a very central location. Everything we wanted to see was all around us and the train station was only two blocks down the street.The first day we saw so much...in fact I think it all was a little too much to comprehend. Let alone the extravagent ruins and major historical sites it was just simply amazing to be a part of this bustling and slightly crazy city. It was unlike any place that either of us have ever been or dreamed of. Despite our run ins with Roman clowns, political strikes (that was a little intense, I have never seen Eric so nervous for our lives) and the miles and miles of walking, I think we truely got a feel for the heart of Italy in Rome that first day. A combination of tourist traps and ancient culture clashed together to create this thriving city that has survived for decades. Gian Carlo had told us that there was no more good italian restaurants in Rome. He was clearly disappointed with the restaurant conversions to a tourist driven hot spots. However, he did give us one recommendation, The Antica Boheme (or just Boheme as the locals call it), was located just down the street from our B&B. It was a family owned trattoria and had been around forever. We had a wonderful, true italian meal of baked ravoli and cannaloni, a bottle of chianti and gelato sampling, how could we have turned down more than one scoop. Absolutely delicious and completely comforting. We loved the atmosphere and food so much that we visited Boheme two more time before returning to the states.

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Photos

The Roman Clown
The first hour in the city and Eric already feels like he got ripped off....The Roman Clown grabbed me first for a picture then insisted on Eric to do the same.

The Roman Clown 2
He wanted money for the pictures....we were warned about these kinds of people....all we had was a five dollar coin (it was our first day...come on) Let's just say that that clown got more than his fair share.

The Pantheon
In all its glory

Government Building
We completely stumbled on this OUTRAGEOUSLY large government building....it wasn't on our map but once we saw it we knew it must have been important.

Government Building 2
Eric decided that these guards meant business....we walked up the gigantic staircase and these two guards were waiting for us (straight faced) at the top with machine guns and flaming torches on either side.

Inside the Colleseum
The stage has been removed so you are looking at the cages, trap doors and maze-like paths that were under the stage.

Building Materials
If you look very closely you can see how the original structure was built....stacking stones one on top of another....the bricks were later used to rebuild areas that had fallen down after a major earthquake.

Us!
In the Colleseum!