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November 14th 2011

Published: November 18th 2011

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Cannon Chaos

Pantheon, Roma

…ahhh Rome

We arrived with 5 kids, left with 5, but had a few near misses with a lost child or two.

I recently read a travel-writer write “why anyone lives anywhere but Rome is crazy”, and I now understand. It is an amazing city; a living, breathing museum. Around every bend there is another view, site or structure that takes your breath away.

We found ourselves a flat on the first floor overlooking the streets of Trastevere. This area has a bohemian feel that never seems to sleep. It was wonderful to be sitting out looking over the street that always showed a different aspect of life in the city. It is also an area that seems to be frequented by the locals at all times of the day and night.

Our time in the city involved a lot of walking between all of the sites. We would be strolling along some of the back alleys and then stumble into the Pantheon, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps and so on. It was near the Pantheon we worked out the custom of consuming coffee standing at the bar.

I love the espresso. Now getting into the habit

Pantheon, Roma

of buying an espresso and a cappuccino together, this gives me double the hit and longer at the bar! A particular spot did become a favourite for both of us. The kids would wander around the Pantheon and its piazza, while we sipped our espresso.

The Pantheon was my favourite spot. You seem to be walking through any normal Roman alley and it just appears. I would have loved to have seen it in the pouring rain when the water just pours through the roof but no we got beautiful sunny weather the whole time. We have been surprised how warm it has been. Not a drop of rain and at times we have been in t-shirts. The kids keep asking to go swimming.

We did head to the colosseum early and ended up being one of the first in. I have photos with not one person, something hard to believe after about an hour of opening when it was busy. How the place must look in high season. We were there mid-week, low season and still it seemed busy. After all of the documentaries and shows on the Colosseum it felt very unreal being there. It has

Trevi, Roma

a magic about it. The kids all seemed entranced by the place but I think Hamish got the most out of it as he has seen so much on Discovery Channel he was able to point out features that we did not notice (and Ian thinks we should get rid of Austar…).

It was here that we really did lose a child, Bella. There had been a few wanders off during our tour of Rome, but generally, the lost were found fairly quickly but this time we nearly had the local police involved. All of us were on elevated areas looking for her. She was eventually found walking back towards the Colosseum.

We did all the essentials, threw the coin into the Trevi, ate gelato in the piazzas, sat on the Spanish steps and watched the many street performers. Zara and Oliver were even used by one of the street performers in his magic show.

Off to Florence next. This was not on the original plans but could not find suitable accommodation so have made the call to by-pass Siena and follow the main tourist route. We have found a converted monastery overlooking Florence. Sounds amazing, time