Day Twenty-One

The second day in Rome opened to a glorious clear blue day.

Two major activities of the day were a visit to the Colosseum and the Vatican.

The Colosseum was absolutely breath-taking!! To think it had been there for so so very long and just considering the monstrosities it would have born witness to made it something to behold.

The very idea that people came to this arena to watch people die is mind-boggling.

In the space of a few meters there is the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and numerous other Roman ruins. Otherwise known as a photo opportunity in every few steps.
I grabbed some postcards that showed what the Colosseum would have looked like in its prime. If you think it's impressive now think of how impressive it would have been back then.

So onto the Vatican. I must confess I could have done without that particular adventure. It was interesting but there were just so many people. I felt like a sardine!! Plus we were rushing through all the galleries that I would have liked to take my time in. For instance there was a tapestry map room that would have been fabulous to take my time in. But I was almost running along with a lot of pushing and shoving just to keep up with the guide and the rest of the group.

But there was so much walking!! We were on our feet constantly and there was nowhere to sit down. We walked up stairs, down stairs, across stairs and I almost fell down some stairs.

I would have thought that 'they' would have made the whole area a lot more accessible for the millions of people that would come to visit every year. We saw the Sistine Chapel (not as big as I expected - plus we weren't allowed to take photos) and marveled at St Peter's Basilica.

So I'm glad I went to the Vatican because if I hadn't I would have always wondered what it would have been like. However now that I has that experience under my belt I can safely say I would be happy to never, ever go back again. Ornate - yes. Impressive - in some ways. Worth the crowds and physical discomfort - not really in my opinion. Having said that if I could have the place all to myself with no other people to bother me for a full day I think I might have enjoyed myself. As it was I can leave it thank you very much.

At the end of the day we had a Roman feast complete with musicians and all that is considered 'typical' Italian. It was a wonderful way to say goodbye to Rome.

Final thoughts on Rome? It was defiantly worth a look and provided me with some stunning photo opportunities. But now I feel like I've been there and done that and I don't really feel the need to go back there. It was great for a time and wonderful for what it was but that's been done and I'm keen to go adventuring some place else.
Next stop Sorrento...