A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum (and the Colosseum). Jean read the time incorrectly on the tour notice (it was military time), and so, we are riding around on the Hop N Go Bus, and suddenly we discover it's time to get off and be there! Uh oh. Luckily we were near the correct bus stop, but finding the meeting place for the tour was not easy, and we got separated. We managed to get together at the last possible moment, but everyone was grumpy because we hadn't eaten all day and it was approaching 2pm. And it was full sun and HOT! Jean carried both a hat and an umbrella, which helped keep away sunburn, but was one too many things to carry in sweaty hands. There was also the issue of poking out other people's eyes with the umbrella.

Anyway, we bought chips and water, and started our 3 hour walk. The guide, was extremely emotive, and spent a great deal of time on Nero, and his mother Agrippina. Agrippina was the daughter of Caligula, and the neice and fourth wife of Claudius. Some say she poisoned Claudius in order to make her son Nero the emperor. Only to be repaid by Nero plotting to have her killed. Agrippina survived a drowning planned by Nero's henchmen, and swam to shore! However, some time later, Nero had her executed. Talk about a dysfuntional family!

Nero supposedly started a fire in 64AD which burned for an entire week and wiped out about 1/4 of Rome. This was so he could build a new estate for himself. He had a 'colossal' statue of himself raised on the premises after which the Colosseum was named. (The Colosseum was completed 3 emperors later).

The Colosseum covers 6 acres, and could accommodate 50,000 people. You entered one of the four stories depending on your status, with the lower classes in the nosebleed section. Navy personnel were assigned a task of rolling out a linen canvas over the top to keep out the bright sun. We wished for such a canvas as we walked around. We saw the 'holes' in the walls where bronze expansion joints once were. Quite an engineering feat! They are now filled with mortar. Huge pieces of the colosseum are missing due to later rulers (principally the Vatican) hauling away the stone and using it elsewhere.

Several (bloody) contests were held at once on the circular stage so that people could see the one closest. An entire labyrinth existed below the stage for entrances, exits, cages for animals, and so on. The people would chant and hold thumbs up for their heroes, and thumbs down for the losers. The Colosseum was awe inspiring in its architecture, and awful for what it was used for.

Next on the tour was the Forum, which is still in the process of being excavated. The highlights included the statues of the Vestal Virgins (they were recruited at age 10 to be celibate and to keep alive the fire of Rome, so that nothing bad would happen to the city), and the Triumphal Gate. Next we climbed up the Palantine hill were Rome was founded (10th century BC) and where many Roman emperors built their palaces (Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian). Domitian's courtyard was finished with reflective stone. Cher did us proud by answering the guide's question about why the reflective stone? -- it was so the Emperor, who feared assassination could see himself and anyone creeping up behind him. It didn't do him any good though, as he was assassinated in his own bedroom at age 45 after 15 years of rule. Visiting the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Palantine Hill makes one reflective about the vast capacity in humans for good and evil.

At the end of the tour, we were hot, sweaty and worn out, so we took a taxi home. What a relief to take a shower! However, the Lobaughs don't stay down for long! We got all 'dolled up' (except for Mike of course) and went out to eat at the Nana Vini e Cucina (Grandma's Wine and Kitchen). They brought us out a huge platter of whole fishes to choose from. Karol and I had the Pezzogna (a type of sea bream with large eyes and a pink tail which is hangs out around the Amalfi Coast). Mike had lamb chops and Cher had Scampies which looked like snow crab legs and claws, but apparently is different. Cher finally ordered her Aperol Spritz and it was apparently yummy!

On the way home, we went to see the Trevi Fountain after dark. You can't drive by the Trevi. It must be approached on foot, and it's great to suddenly come upon it. It was glorious!!! We took lots of selfies there, indulging in gentle elbowing with all the other selfie takers. We threw in our Euros, which apparently guarantees your return to Rome. Now that was a fabulous day! Replete with physical exercise, lots of vitamin D from the sun, history, architecture, gastronomy (and maybe some gluttony!), and delicious vino. Tomorrow is the walking tour.