Rome Day 5

Pictures from today.

My mommy was sick this morning, so my daddy and I went on the Roman Forum/Palatine Hill/Colosseum tour without her which was a little ironic considering she’s the one that wanted to do the tours in the first place.

The tour wasn’t as good at the Vatican tour, but that set a pretty damn high standard. Still entertaining and informative.

The Forum tour made me think of the musical we did junior year: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Actual Forum, not as funny.

We walked to the top of Palatine Hill which was probably the best part of the tour. Our tour guide said it was kinda like Beverly Hills in that it’s where the wealthy people built their palaces. For entertainment, this dude had a mini Colosseum to view from his living room.

The little piece of wall hanging there, an actual piece of wall that was hanging in this palace.

Our guide also said the Romulus and Remus story is in the Italian text books as the explanation of how Rome was founded. Of course we’re taught a lot of BS in history class too.

The view from the hill was the best part.

Then we went over to the Colloseum. It was nice not having to wait in the rather long line. Not really worth a line. It’s pretty cool, but there isn’t a whole lot to see there. It is only one building after all… or 1/3 of a building anyway.

The stairs were pretty crazy and we only went up to the second level. Way back when the woman were only allowed on the top level with the slaves. They must have been super fit. We also learned where the word vomit comes from. You should look at the Wikipedia entry if you’re interested.

After the tour we went back to the hotel and picked mommy up for lunch. We ate at an eh place by the hotel. Then it was off to the Pantheon which I found perfectly thank you very much. My mom and I listened to Rick Steve’s tour on my phone.

Then we walked over to Piazza Navona and hung out there for a while. Went into a random church and took pictures of some fountains.

Went to Campo di Fiori from there and did a little shopping. Back to Navona and waiting until 6 for the restaurant to open. Watched a street performer swallow a balloon and escape from a straight jacket and chains while we waited.

We had dinner at Cul de Sac. It was mentioned on at least three different lists of top notch restaurants in Rome that I’ve come across. I’d say it lived up to its reputation. They have 1000 different bottles of wine there, so of course I tried a glass. A much smaller glass than last night, thank God, and I got white this time. I actually liked last night’s wine better. I couldn’t tell you what either one was though. And I got an A in Wine Insights, tisk tisk.

We ordered assorted cheeses for an appetizer and my mom and I shared stuffed grape leaves, or vine leaves as they were called, and stuffed vegetables. The vine leaves were absolutely delicious. Much better than anything I’ve had in the Greek restaurants back home. The veggies and cheese were also very yummy.

Of course we stopped for gelato after dinner.

Something’s going on out there on Via Nazionale today. There have been police all over and there’s a a helicopter flying around. Protestors? Would there be a helicopter for protestors? Apparently so. Made our walk back to the hotel extra long X( My feet HURT.

If you’re wondering why this entry is longer than the others, it’s just because we had an early dinner and I don’t have to get up early tomorrow, so I had more time to write it :) I also took a lot of pictures today.