Another Hard Day of Walking in Rome (Part 2)

The Roman Temple, the Forum & Capital Hill

I finally found myself down in the final part of my walk... the Roman Forum. Its a large area that has temples and speaking areas even. I could almost imagine the hustle and bustle millennia ago.

The highlight for me in visiting this temple was the painting in the skylight.  I really wish that I would have taken latin to be able to decipher some of the inscriptions.

 

Once I get back to my regular computer, I will update the photos on the blog that have writing on them so you can zoom in and read the information on them too!  Lots of history written on them.

I wish I would have seen an information sign on this building, it was quite spectacular.

Finally, in sight of the Forum!

This was at the base of the first set of columns... if you look on the previous picture, you can clearly see where it is (7pm from the center of the picture)

And looking to the right towards Capital Hill

I just realize that the description I made in my previous post of where I wanted to end up was incorrect... I did end up at Capital Hill!!!!

Some insights as to what was in the Forum area.  

And where people spoke:

Looking back over the Forum area.

And in front of the Capital Building, a picture that I hope to sketch and color:

That was my walking adventure... I was relieved to get back to the apartment, and get off my feet (two blisters starting on my pinky toes :-(  )

I hope you caught my previous post that covers the beginning of our walk!

http://gardenscraftsnmore.blogspot.it/2013/09/another-hard-day-of-walking-in-rome.html

Will be back with more pictures soon!

Another Hard Day of Walking in Rome (Part 1)

Today we went to the Coliseum, and enjoyed seeing the size and tried to imagine what it would have been like to be there 2000 years ago. So much history in those walls.  We talked to one restorer we saw working, and he said that over 10,000,000 people came to the Coliseum annually! No wonder they are always trying to fix it up!

And the Constantine Arch

Afterwards I went on my own to explore the sights at Palentine Hill, intending to go through to the Forum and back towards our apartment.  I think only got lost three times :-)

My first try to get to the Palentine Hill was a short jaunt up the Alla Chiesa Di San Bonaventura which ended at the small church at the top of the hill. This was the motif~statue over top of the entrance to the church:

Along both sides of the road to the church there was a lot of activity like you see in the next picture (which really, you see alot in Rome). I gather a lot is restoration, but I took a picture of what appeared to be three archeology students - I say students as they appeared to be university age - the older I get, the harder it is for me to guess ages  :-)

This is a panoramic shot of the view from the road looking towards the Coliseum.

When I finally found one of the proper entrances to the Palantine Hill, one of my first views was the Palatine "Stadium"

The next three pictures are my next stop along the way...

I found the Neronian Cryptoporticus:

What's really amazing is that the light that is coming from the "windows" are just from two "holes" in each one.... kind of like an ancient version of "tube skylights" that you can buy now. 

I passed la casa di livia, and its cistern (under cover).  

Looking at the viewpoint here, near the top center of the skyline is where I wanted to go (the first place we caught the open top sight seeing bus). Its not where I ended up... but the adventure was good none the less! 

From one viewpoint I tried to orient myself... I think this was the second time I felt like I was lost.

I didn't take a picture of it, but looking behind to the right I could see the Coliseum and the church I visited at the beginning of my walk to the hill.

There was so much to see.... My next post will be on the rest of what I saw on my way to the Forum on my walk that day...

An Inspirational Day of Sight-seeing

It was an early start to the day... We decided that even with the "skip the line" tickets, that we would try to get to the Vatican really early to beat the rush.  It always amazes me t how many people live and visit here.. and I suppose that is the fact that there are so many pedestrians, and how natural it is to just walk the city. Mind you, if you see how the driving is, you would want to walk too :-)

On our way to the Vatican, I took this picture of the Castle di Angelo. Hardly any people! Yes, another reason to get up early and see some sights!

When we arrived at St.Peter's Basilica, there were masses of crowds gathering for the Wednesday Mass.  We accidentally followed the crowds, and even went through a check-point, until we realized that this was not the line-up we intended to be in. In front of the pedestrian gates below, are thousands of chairs for the faithful.

We went through one two areas of the Vatican Museum, before entering the Sistine Chapel...

One room of busts and statues... my favorite statue was one of a Satyr (inv.1843), who had a delightful expression on his face:

Then the map room, where we came across an ancient painted map that had the city of Nola on it (my daughter-in-law was thrilled needless to say!)!

There were no pictures allowed in the Sistine Chapel, needless to say as it is a holy place... we were able to stay there for about one-half hour, and I have to say that I had tears in my eyes.  If you are ever able to go there, take an audio guide that will allow you to be reverent, but also to understand what you are seeing.  Just to understand what Michelangelo intended to cover as a topic of his masterpiece is awesome, and deserves studying before you go... I know that I will study it after I get home.

Even exiting the chapel and museum there were things to be amazed at, for example the stairway out:

When we exited the Sistine Chapel, we made our way back through to the courtyard of St.Peter's Basilica to catch the double decker sight-seeing bus we had the pass on.  The picture below shows how many people are in the courtyard... The columns that surround it were full of what we suspected were line-ups to enter it.  I could not imagine waiting to enter. 

We decided to go to the train station to scope out how we will navigate our way to Naples and onward to Positano. The train station is huge! Very organized, but you have to watch for people who try to help that are not official as they do so for $$$. It puts a different perspective on how tourists at home may react if you try to help them...there are so many different pan-handlers/sellers in the streets, selling laser pointers, knock off handbags and various other trinkets. 

Here is a picture of the inside of the train station, and one of the style of train we are going to travel on.

We were able to check the status of the train tickets that we have, and found out that we do not need printed tickets, just to show them the electronic version on our phones.

Now the hardest thing to decide will be what sights to take in on our last day here.  Its 7am, and after a quick bite to eat I'll be on my way!

When in Rome

I want to record my adventure in Rome. There is so much to do and see, I fear that the four days that we are spending here is just the tip of the iceberg. So far we've seen the:

Palazzo Narona

The Pantheon

Colonna Di Marco Aurello

Fountano di Trevi

Spanish Stairs

The outside of the Castle d'Angelo (hope to get inside it tomorrow).

We plan to do Vatican City tomorrow morning, and the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill the last day of our stay.

The one great thing about taking pictures of ancient structures is that they are very forgiving :-) I still can't believe that I am here. I will admit that there is a bit of a culture shock when it comes to how motorcycles and scooters are ridden here though.... insane! But, it works for them, so as the title of this post goes, "when in Rome".

The food has been great, and the people so helpful and nice.  I will come again I hope. 

More pictures to come!

Just Monkey’ing Around!

This week’s theme at the Card a Day Blog is Kiddie Card.  I found a few dies for my Silhouette that made me feel like a kid again

I was originally going to do a plain embossed background, but it felt too busy. I finally decided to use some corrugated cardboard that I had as a frame background, with a plain piece of kraft paper on top.

Digital cutting files used:

• monkey hanging by Samantha Walker
• 5 label shapes by Lori Whitlock

The Design Studio screen before cutting it out:

….. and the final product:

 

I’m so glad you decided to visit my blog and have some fun (and hopefully be inspired to).

I hope you enter the challenges at the Card a Day Blog! For more information on our challenges, click here.