Got My History Thing, And a Bonus... Part 3: Rome

In the afternoon, we took a cab over and paid 10 euros apiece to take an open bus ride through Rome, a great way to see the city. Believe me, you DON'T want to drive through town. I backed into the seat and closed my eyes at the many close calls we had while riding in the taxis. The worst thing are the people on motorcycles who seem to believe all the world is their road. Never saw an accident the whole time, however.

The bus was a double-decker with an open top, which I rode on. We went by the magnificent structure on top of the Capitoline Hill, St. Peter's, the Coliseum, Forum, and Circus Maximus. For 3 euros more, you can ride all day and get off and on, the best deal.

Returning to the hotel, we took another taxi to an Italian restaurant and had a real taste of Rome, complete with a three-piece band that came around and and serenaded us several times with--Italian songs. The streets of Rome were once at least twenty feet lower than they are today. We were allowed to tour the restaurant's cellars.

The next morning, Graham, Vickie, and I walked over to Castillo San Angelo and paid 8 euros to tour it. Vickie and Graham actually got in for free since he was on a power chair. They said they'd also gotten into the Vatican last year without paying because of his handicap. That was a nice thing to do.

This structure was featured in the recent movie "Demons and Angels" and is an impressive structure, sitting on top of Emperor Hadrian's tomb and was not captured by the Visigoths when they overran Rome. There are some impressive views of Rome from this place.

When in Rome, Do As the Romans __. --Cooter

Got My History Thing, And a Bonus... Part 2: Rome

June 12th, we were still in Rome, and took a cab to the Vatican and waited in a really long line to pay our 14 euro to tour the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. There is more stuff in there than I can possibly tell you about. Then, the ceilings are something else. I had a big neck ache when we got out from so much craning.

Unfortunately, we lost Mom almost as soon as we got into the place and were greatly relieved to meet her in the Sistine Chapel. She had gone into a no-admittance room, which ended up as a good break as I don't think she could have made the long walk as well as numerous stairs. At 78, her mobility on foot is diminishing.

One thing I can tell you, that Michelangelo creation painting on the ceiling of the chapel is not as big as I thought it was.

Next, a Bus Ride Through Rome. --Da Coot

Got My History Thing, A-n-d... A Bonus-- Part 1: Rome

From June 11th to the 20th, I got a big helping of some very old history, and then a bonus, that of a shipboard fire in the Mediterranean Sea while underway on the Royal Princess.

Most of this will be covered in greater detail at some point in the travel blog,
http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com.

June 11th, after a nap to catch up on lost sleep in my overnight flight to Rome, we left the hotel near the Vatican, and took a walk across the Tiber River, to the Spanish Stairs, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and had dinner at an outdoor restaurant in the beautiful Navarone Square. Some very impressive fountains there as well as artists selling their wares.

Italian pizza is not as good as good old US pizza.

Talking About Your Old Stuff. --Cooter

Real, Real Old Stuff

I've always been interested in history, but over the next few weeks, I am going to get up real close and personal with some really old stuff.

The family is going on a cruise of the eastern Mediterranean with stops in Rome, Alexandria, pyramids, Jerusalem, Turkey, and three places in Greece, including Athens.

We think of things as old here in the US when they're over 300 years old, but lets try thousands.

I remember once while touring Innsbruck, Austria's old town, when the guide said, "That does it for the Old Town. Across the street, you see New Town, which was built in the 1400s. New, indeed.

Gettin' My O-l-d On. --Cooter