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Published: July 16th 2016
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Woolly says - Why was I stood in a queue for a Berlin check in? I looked at Jo who appeared less than concerned and considered that maybe she hadn’t told me something. As more people joined the line I could hear muttering and a brave sole trotted forward to ask the counter staff, they came back smiling and I heard them mention Belgrade hmmmm that’s what my ticket said. As we started to move forward the sign remained stuck on Berlin and as Jo and Zoe heaved their wardrobes, the bath and the kitchen sink onto the conveyer belt I just hoped we were getting on the right plane. I had checked and we were indeed headed for the correct flight. Woolly says – Having trotted through duty free I plonked myself down at gate 12 ready for the bus just as the women wandered off and sat by gate 10, I looked up and there clear as day where the words ‘Belgrade’, I refused to move until Jo and Zoe disappeared through the door and onto the transport at which point I galloped after them. We shared his confusion but if he had less jam in his ears he would have heard the staff telling us that the gate had changed, it was fun to watch him running down the concourse though!
Woolly says – Having consumed the free on board snack I revived our plans with Jo, arrive in Belgrade, wave at the planes, get on a plane to Rome, so easy ......until your flight has a delay and as I sat tapping my paw I knew it was going to b touch and go to get our transfer on time. Pushing past everyone I ran to the desk and demanded our ongoing tickets, the lady smiled nicely at me and asked me how my day was going, I snarled ....... If he slowed down and listened more (oh heck I sound like a teacher again) then he would have realised that our ongoing flight was also delayed! Woolly says – I stopped snarling and offered the lovely lady a pistachio and told her all about Rome. The founding of Rome goes back to the very early days of civilization which is why it is known as 'the eternal city', it was founded in 625 BC. Rome's most famous citizen was Julius Caesar, a Roman politician and general who, without having any orders to do so, conquered the vast territory of the Gauls to the north of his province in France. He is most famous for his relationship with Cleopatra........
Seeing the eyes of the women glaze over I removed my enthusiastic friend and pointed him at a young child to entertain instead. Woolly says - ........After Caesar followed many emperors, Augustus (the first one) Claudius (he conquered Britain), Nero (who was insane), Hadrian my hero.... As the parents thanked us profusely for sending the child to sleep we climbed onto the plane and the mammoth seemed to doze. Woolly says – a quick transfer and before I had chance to wash behind my ears we had dumped the bags and were heading out into the streets. Building after building seemed to have some Roman inscription or craving and as I was delighted at my first find of the remains of the training academy for the gladiators, I wondered what qualifications they had needed, I have skills in pistachio counting, would that be an entry requirement? As we rounded the corner I stopped in wonder at the incredible sight before my eyes. The Coliseum or Flavian Amphitheatre is the largest amphitheatre ever built. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus, holding between 40,000 and 70,000 people it was the epitome of Roman entertainment where Naval battles and lions would have entertained the crowds, I could almost hear the cheering now!
We all knew it was going to be there but I don’t think any of us expected it to be that big and or that impressive. With bellies rumbling and thirsts that needed to be quenched we sat admiring the view over a pizza. Woolly says – The pizza was nice but I couldn’t wait to get inside, the queuing seemed to take forever and as I asked for the 95th time if we were there yet it seemed that we were. The uneven steps took me to the second level and as I tried to make my way through the masses who had arrived before me I knew that I stood little or no chance of seeing anything.
I took pity on him and as we walked together we tried to imagine the splendour that this building must have once had, in between being jostled and pushed, my small companions sweaty face beamed in delight as he looked down into the arena and I could almost hear the lions roar as he growled, although that might have been him venting his anger at the tourist who trod on my foot! The cheers of the crowds as the gladiators took up their weapons and the clash of steel on steel as the navel boats set about each other, it must have made spectacular viewing. Woolly says – As the tourists started to disappear I knew that our time was drawing to a close and having admired the huge archways and the taken one last look at the amphitheatre to beat them all I was happy to let Jo led me away and to our berths, so much more to do but so little time!
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Nice shot
I love this location. So much history.