Much to our surprise, our May Day just happens to be Italy's Labor Day. So that made the day a little more interesting, and a lot of fun.
Although lots of places were closed, we knew they couldn't stop people from at least seeing the Coliseum, so we went there first. You literally step out from the metro and BAM, there it is, right in your face! It's amazing! We walked around the whole thing, using an audio guide, and tried to picture what it was like 2000 years ago. I wish I would have watched Gladiator before I left the US.
The Forum was closed too, so we ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant just up the road. Wine... Salmon risotto.... spaghetti carbonara.... I could get used to this lifestyle.
Next we headed west to Vatican City. Again, this was a huge WOW moment, pretty sure the entire area of Rome is jaw dropping. We went into St Peters Basilica and we both can say for sure that we have never been inside a more beautiful place. The size is mind boggling. The history, even more so.
Instead of getting dinner at just any old place, we decided we needed to follow the old adage, and 'do as the Romans do.' Well, at least the crazy youngster Romans. We went down to the Concerto del Primo Maggio at the Piaza Appio to see what it was like. We'll just say Romans know how to party! We waded through the sea of trash on the ground to find the carny food, which was surprisingly healthy. We got a kebab and a couple beers and wandered, people watching and listening to some local bands. It was a good time!
Us old farts left the young bucks to their partying, and we went back to the hotel. We researched what our travel to Greece would look like in a couple days, and it didn't look pretty. So we fell asleep still thinking we would work it out and get to Athens..........