Rome, the Eternal City

Rome has never ceased to amaze me. The crumbling, 2000-year-old ruins situated next to modern government buildings, the magnificent fountains, the vibrant nightlife, and the rich and sometimes sordid history of the city make it one of the most unique places I've ever visited.

As I mentioned, we had less than three days to make our way through Rome, so we walked everywhere. We stayed at the Hotel Artorius, which was very well situated close to the Colosseum. Roberto and I have both been inside the massive Colosseum and have strolled the adjacent Roman Forum, so we just appreciated them from the outside during this trip. There seemed to be a lot of reconstructive work being done on both.

Last time I was here I got to see the Trevi Fountain - which I love - and we had to spend some time here during this trip. Legend has it that if you throw one coin over your shoulder it ensures your trip back to Rome, and if you throw two coins you'll marry an Italian. I can't remember what I threw last time, but it must have been only one because Roberto isn't Italian. Maybe Roberto threw two in when he was here in 2005 :). I read in my Lonely Planet guide that approximately 3000 Euros are thrown into the fountain daily. That should pay for some of the city's reconstructive work on the ruins, I'm sure!

I also got to see the Spanish Steps for the first time. With 138 steps leading from the Piazza del Spagna at the base and the Church of Trinita dei Monti at the top, this is the longest and widest staircase in Europe.

Roberto also saw our first celebrity of the trip! As we were walking around the Trastavere neighborhood on Thursday night (5/20) he saw an actor he recognized walk past us. I wasn't paying attention, too bad. However, Roberto doesn't know who the guy is and says he'll point him out the next time he sees him on TV. "I think he's on one of those CSI-type shows," was all I got. "Either that, or one of those hospital shows." Maybe he'll figure it out within the next couple of months.

We also saw the Pantheon. Again, under construction, but we were still able to walk inside. It wasn't what we expected it to be like... it's actually a temple built to honor all of the gods of ancient Rome. I think I was expecting something governmental, but it was more of a religious structure.

We had to wrap the trip up with more shopping, of course! I got some new leather shoes and we bought candy, tea, cured meats, and some of what we hoped would be the same divine sun-dried tomatoes we ate at Villa San Michele.