Day 88: Rome

On our final day in Europe, we awoke to another cloudy day. While the weather appeared threatening, the weather report predicted a partly sunny day and a high of 19C. We assumed the weather would clear up as the day progressed. We did some e-mailing and blogging and began to get things organized for our departure the next day. I prepared the visa paperwork for our entrance to the UAE. I noticed that Daryl's occupation was listed as ENGINEER, while I was listed as ACCOUNTANT, even though we both filled in the original forms with Engineer. Maybe sexism in that part of the world is still rife? I guess I will need to brush up on my accounting skills in the next day in case I am thoroughly questioned at customs.

*My visa paperwork

*Daryl's visa paperwork

We departed the apartment a little before noon and grabbed a couple of sandwiches on the way to the Forum. We decided to use our guidebook for most information; we paid for a single audioguide to provide supplemental info. Daryl listened and would translate what he was told...I guess we are pretty cheap.

The Forum was the center of Roman life and politics for approximately 1000 years (from 500BC to 500AD). Since that time, the area has been scavenged and left to die. Over time, the Forum filled in with silt and the remains were covered up, only to be later excavated. Historians have been able to re-imagine the shapes and uses of most of the buildings, even though very little material remains. It is cool to think that Julius Caesar and Augustus, and all the other Emperors hung out here only a couple thousand years ago. Here are some of the pictures we captured.

*Supposed burial site of Julius Caesar

*House of the Vestal Virgins

*Daryl quite impressed by his surroundings

*Arch of Titus depicting a victory in Israel and the capture of thousands of Jewish slaves

*Close up of Arch, showing some of the bounty captured (including Jewish menorahs)

*Picture outside Forum depicting growth of the Roman Empire over time

*A second picture, depicting almost the full size of the Empire (reached between 150 and 200AD)

Out ticket to the Forum also admitted us to the Colosseum next door. While we had already done a guided tour of the Colosseum during our last visit to Rome, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to duck in again and check it out. It is seriously impressive. It is amazing to consider that this was completed in 78AD (with the help of those Jewish slaves I previously mentioned).

*The partial floor has been added to show where the original floor would stand

*Unfortunately, it started to rain and we did not have our umbrellas

The rain dampened our spirits a little. We decided to make our way back to the apartment, but on the way we came across St. Peter-in-Chains Church, which houses a statue of Moses by Michelangelo. Daryl, who loves Mikey, couldn't pass up the chance to check out one more of his works before departing Italy. Once again, it was very impressive.

We made our way back across the city and stopped once more to check out laptop bags. Finally, I purchased a really nice leather bag...we had been talking about it forever. In higher spirits (and with a lighter wallet), we stopped for gelato and headed home. We gathered up our remaining laundry, including the clothes we hadn't gotten a chance to rid of bed bugs, and headed to the laundromat to finally exterminate the vermin. We grabbed some groceries and ate dinner in, calling it a night early.