Hello Young Adventurers!

Locations Visited: Rome, Italy. Vatican City
Languages Spoken: Italian
Words Learned: Bellissimo-beautiful

Leaving the beautiful town of Certaldo was not easy, friends.  I had gotten quite used to the quiet, slow lifestyle while there, but I knew it was time to get back on the road and keep the adventure going.  My next stop was one that I’ve been dreaming of for a long time, and honestly… I was nervous to go because of that.  Sometimes we build an idea up in our head what something will be like, and we don’t want that picture to ever be shattered.  I was nervous Rome could never live up to my standards, but I could not have been more wrong!

When I got into Rome, I started my normal new-city ritual of dropping my stuff off at the hostel and moving out to explore by foot.  Rome, a city founded around 753 B.C. (Almost 2,800 YEARS AGO), was a vital location in the development of human history.  The Romans throughout time conquered much of the known world, spreading their knowledge and culture far and wide.  Its easy to see their impact upon the world when traveling and seeing remains of their conquest in various cities (Barcelona, Paris, London, etc.).  To finally be at such an important location was so exciting!

My first walk through the city was a bit overwhelming, honestly.  Every turn I made, I found another ancient site.  I started with the Colosseum, then made my way through some ruins to get to the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain.  I was frustrated because I had learned so much about Roman History back in high school and college, but unfortunately, I had forgotten most of it.  I decided to just get a glimpse at everything, and then head back to my hostel for a refresher course thanks to the grand school of Google.  I had some tours planned for the next few days, so I wanted to make sure I got my foundation back before they began.   Below I’ll share some photos of all the sites- what kind of things do you notice in these ancient landmarks?  

I went to bed early after doing some research, and woke up the next day to get some pastries and coffee at a place a friend recommended before heading off to the Vatican City.  The Vatican City is the capitol of the Catholic Church, and is technically its own small country tucked within Rome.  This is where the Pope lives and works and houses Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. I decided to walk the 2.5 miles to it in order to see some more of the city and get some exercise before my tour of the museums at 1.  

This was by far one of the best museums I have been to in a long time.  There was a HUGE Egyptian exhibit which made me super happy, and then a lot of beautiful Roman sculptures and artwork.  The main highlight of the museum, though, is that it ends in the Sistine Chapel, and I was so excited to get to see it!  The Sistine Chapel began construction back in 1473 and is filled with various frescos (painting on wet or freshly laid plaster typically used in churches and other locations of importance.) that are extremely famous and considered some of mankind’s biggest artistic masterpieces.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t take any pictures within the Sistine Chapel, but you can see it easily if you Google it!

Mind blown, I left the Vatican City and began to head my way back to my hostel by foot.  I stopped for more pizza, because “When in Rome!,” and then explored a park for a bit.  I’m still blown away by all of the old buildings and landmarks at every turn.  Rome is unlike anywhere I have ever seen before, and I’m quickly falling in love with it.  I eventually made my way back to my hostel and settled down to do a bit more research.  I planned for a tour of the Roman Colosseum and the Roman Forum in the morning, and I wanted to make sure I got the most out of my time there!  I also took some time to work on my Japanese again- March seems like a long time away, but every bit counts when you’re working on learning a new language!  I finally settled down for bed with my head dreaming of being a gladiator the next morning.

My tour was at 11, so I had some time to get more pastries and coffee in the morning before making my way to the meeting point!  Y’all… They do pastries and coffee right here in Italy.  Every small store is homemade, fresh, and so. stinking. good.  Anyways… I was so excited about the Colosseum today.  This is a place I have seen photos of my entire life, and to finally be going in and seeing it for myself was so cool.  I was extra excited because I signed up for a tour that took us into the Colosseum a special way- through the original gladiator’s entrance onto the main floor!  I felt like a warrior walking through the tunnel, unable to see clearly because of how bright it was outside until I stepped onto the center floor.  It was hard to imagine what it must have been like for the gladiators stepping out so long ago to the roars and cheers of almost 70,000 people in the stands.  

Here are some things I learned about the Colosseum:

Originally known as the Flavian Ampitheater, it began construction in year 72.  It was completed in only 8 years, which is absolutely incredible considering both how large it was, and the lack of technology at the time.  It could hold between 50,000-80,000 people and was originally decorated with marble outside of the stone.  Once the Catholic church began to spread it’s influence and invest in the Vatican, they began to harvest the marble from the Colosseum for that instead.  If you see the small holes along the side of the Colosseum (not the arches- in the stonework!), that is where they took marble.  See all the stone work along the floor?  That was actually under the original arena floor as a staging area, and such.  The floor has since deteriorated, and they left it exposed to show it off.  There’s so much more I could go into- let me know and I can make a separate post about it!

Afterwards, we continued on to the Roman Forum.  The “forum” is basically the old town of Rome itself, and is preserved now as almost a park that you can walk through and explore all the ancient ruins, temples, and streets.  I wandered my way through the Forum for almost 2.5 hours, blown away by every new sight.  There were ancient statues, houses, streets, arenas, and temples, all within sight of the Colosseum itself.  Check out the pictures below- what do you think this would have looked like thousands of years ago?  Can you imagine what life must have been like?  What do you see?

When I left the Forum, I made my way to a bakery to get a cannoli (and it may have been the best thing I’ve eaten this trip yet… I don’t have words for how amazing it was), and then headed back to my hostel to pack and get prepared for a big travel day in the morning.  I’m off to a city called Sorrento, known for it’s lemon groves, beachside views, and crystal clear waters, where I’m going to base myself out of and do a few day trips.  The one I’m most excited for is a city that was devastated by a volcano called Vesuvius and is now in ruins.  Can you figure out what city that is?  If you would like me to do more on any of the places I saw while in Rome, just let me know and I can make a special post!  There was just so much to see and learn that I cannot begin to share it all here within one post.  I’m so glad you could join me, and for now-

Have Courage, & Be Kind,

Mr. Weavil