I'm home at last - Rome's Gay Village! Well, it's not just for the gays. According to Max (our Roman guide), it's basically a huge, summer-long party that takes place at a park in Rome complete with theatre, sports, clubs, concerts, dancing and food. Hmmm...sounds pretty gay to me - except maybe the sports. Max says it's where all the cool, young people hang in the summer. Well, duh, It is the Gay Village!
Our first stop in Rome (unfortunately, we were up way too early for the Gay Village) was the Circus Maximus. I'm sure in its day it was impressive with the chariot races and all, but now it's just a big ol' field of gravel. No worries, the spot also afforded us a great view of Palatine Hill (behind us), the ancient Roman equivalent of Beverly Hills.
The myth of Romulus and Remus is the story of the founding of Rome. Max explained it to us - something about twins and virgins and a wolf. I don't know, something shiny caught my eye and I stopped listening. Or maybe I was just lulled by the Italian accent. Eez tah-roo, day reel-lee sound-ah like-ah dees. Who knew? Anyway, this is the Belvedere Romolo e Remo (where we're standing, above).
And here are the ruins near the Colosseum. And some Roman traffic, too.
The Pineda clan strikes a pose in front of the Roman Colosseum.
Max is quite the photographer, isn't he?
Max's Tourist Tip #1: Always take a picture of the signage so you can remember where the hell you've been.
Here's the plaque outside of the Colosseum (aka Flavian Amphitheatre). I have no idea what it says, but Max told me to take a picture of it. And you do what Max says, bitches!
Here's the inside of the Colosseum.
Where my gladiators at?
Mom and dad couldn't maneuver all the steps in the Colosseum, so we left them with a gelato vendor and a fist full of Euros while Max took the young'ens (relatively speaking) on a tour. For once, Val looks normal and I'm making an ass face.
A view of the Arco di Costantino from the Colosseum.
Max's Tourist Tip #2: The proper way to throw a coin into Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) is with your back to the fountain, tossing the coin with your right hand over the left shoulder.
Trish and I have just made 30 Euros worth of wishes. Unfortunately, I later found out that you don't make wishes at the fountain, but instead, tossing coins guarantees that you return to Rome again. Hmmm...what if one of my wishes is to return to Rome? Then if it happens, technically, I'm getting my wish. Think about it.
Up next on Max's whirlwind tour of Rome, a visit to The People's Square.
The Obelisk in the square is actually from Heliopolis, Egypt. You can't tell from the picture, but if you stand directly in front of it, the square is a mirror image. Fancy.
The square also abuts (tee-hee) the North Gate of the Aurelian Wall, which was the Northern entrance to ancient Rome. It now separates old Rome from modern Rome. Yes, historically important, but I just thought it was pretty.
On closer inspection, I see my name on the gate. I love it even more now. But alas, the gate is not named after another famous "Fausto," but in this context is part of a Latin phrase translating to "may your entrance be prosperous and happy" - quite appropriate for an entrance gate, not so much for a lower back tattoo on a go-go boy. Picture it and you'll get it. Or not.
Flanking the outside of the gate is a statue of St. Paul on one side and...
...St. Peter on the other. Rome is filled with random, beautiful statues of saints and emperors, all with incredibly chiseled arms and six-pack abs (check out Peter's forearm definition). Who knew ancient Rome was just like toga night at Splash?
We've been going non-stop all morning, running from marble statue to marble building to marble ruin. We love our tour guide Max, but he and his long, blond-highlighted tresses (he's a former hair stylist) are indefatigable and we need a break. We beg for mercy (and a toilet) so Max brings us to his favorite siesta spot, Piazza Navona.
Here's the view of the Piazza from our table at Bar Navona. It's here that Val had her angel choir moment and discovered San Benedetto iced tea. Sadly, we only had an hour to order, eat, relax and pee before Max had to get us to our next destination, Vatican City, to meet our Vatican guide, the lovely Vanessa. Along the way, he points out the Castel Sant’Angelo, the fort where Floria Tosca flings herself to a bloody death at the end of the opera, Tosca (Gotta' love that Puccini) and The Passetto, where Tom Hanks secretly scuttles to the Vatican in Angels and Demons.
This Morning's Itinerary:
Arrive at the Port of Civitavecchia and meet our guide, Maximilliano
Drive to Rome and see...Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Circus Maximus / Palatine Hill
Colosseum / Arch of Constantine / Roman Forum
Piazza Venezia / Il Vittoriano - Tomb of Unknown Soldier (Wedding Cake)
Fontana di Trevi
Spanish Steps
Piazza del Popolo - North Gate & Santa Maria del Popolo Church
Piazza Navona - Church of St. Agnes & Four Rivers Fountain
Lunch at Bar Navona - discovering San Benedetto iced tea
Castel Sant’Angelo
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