Rome, 7/9/13

Once again, we got up early for an excursion.  The port for Rome is Civitavecchia (pronounced, Chiveetavekia - Tom and the kids gave me a hard time because I couldn't say it right.)   For Rome, I decided to use a company called Rome In Limo where you hire a driver for a day.  It's not a ship's excursion, so you're taking a tiny chance that you won't get back in time and the ship won't wait for you.  This was probably the best decision I've made yet.

We met up with our driver, Francesco (and his Mercedes sedan) at 8 a.m. a few steps from the ship.  He asked if we had a specific itinerary that we wanted to follow - of course not!  So he said he'd take us to all the major highlights.  We drove about 1 1/2 hours to Rome - seeing some great sights along the way and getting information from Francesco. The sunflower fields were spectacular!  Tom got to sit in front (the whole time) and thoroughly enjoyed the Italian driving (and crazy drivers) - NOT!  BTW, I really want one of the new Fiat 500s.  ;-)

When we got to Rome, Francesco stopped occasionally to talk about certain places. (I don't think he could talk much without stopping - he had to use his hands too much to talk!  :))  The first real stop was the Colosseum, for which I had purchased tickets before leaving on the trip.  Francesco told us a little history, showed us some "then and now" pictures, walked us to the entrance, then handed us a cell phone to call him when we were done.  It couldn't have been any easier.  You should have seen the line for tickets!  Walking into the Colosseum was awe inspiring.  It's an amazing structure!  Our pictures don't do it justice.  Can you believe it was built during the first century A.D.??  Huge buildings in Rome were being destroyed and rebuilt before any buildings were even constructed in the U.S.

This shows the two "layers" of the Colosseum.

Constantine

The "underground" of the Colosseum - under the "stage".  This is where the gladiators and criminals stayed before going up.

Roman soldiers! 

Daniel and the Roman soldier (they want money if you pose with them.)

Looking toward the circus maximus and the forum.

On our way to the Roman Forum, we stopped to see the Circus Maximus - the chariot racing stadium that used to hold 250,000 people.  It's basically a park now, but you can see the outline of the stadium and there are excavations that are beginning at one end of the stadium.  (Francesco told the kids they need to watch Ben Hur to get a feel for this.)

Then, he showed us a couple of former pagan temples that were turned into Christian churches (and, therefore, not destroyed.)

The Roman Forum was spectacular.  We weren't able to walk around much, but could see almost everything from a high cliff above the Forum.  Clare told Daniel he would be studying this a lot during history class this year - apparently it's really important. ;-)  It's so crazy seeing it all in person.  I truly think the kids get so much more out of seeing all of this history first hand.

Francesco took us to the Pantheon - pointing out the present government offices and the HUGE (and controversial) Italian unification monument (right across from Mussolini's office) along the way.

Modern day government offices.

Mussolini's offices.

Italian unification memorial.

The Pantheon was unbelievable.  From the outside it looks so nondescript, but then you go in and the architecture (the dome) and ornamentations are incredible.  I couldn't help but think about Dan Brown's books.

The side of the Pantheon.

The piazza and the Parthenon.  Always so many people.

The front door.

It's amazing how the hole in the ceiling can give off so much light.

The details were spectacular.

Below the hole in the ceiling.  Apparently, when it rains. little to no water comes in.

The Trevi fountain and Spanish Steps were next.  Francesco warned us about the fountain - saying it was a surprise to many visitors (it's size and location.)  It definitely is a lot bigger than I thought.  We threw in some coins (I'm coming back to Rome!) and took a few pictures with the throngs of people around us.  (Watch out for pick-pockets!)

We were only able to drive by the Spanish Steps - although they were crowded, Francesco said the crowds were nothing compared to a Sunday afternoon.

Starving, Francesco took us to Il Pompadoro - outside the craziness of the old city.  I got some pasta and the other three got pizza (of course.)  Both Tom and Clare said it was the best pizza they'd ever had.  Tom's was a gorgonzola cheese with sausage.  Clare's was a 4 cheese pizza.  The best part about the restaurant?  (according to Clare)  The free WiFi.  (I liked the wine the best.)

After lunch, Francesco took us to the top of a hill for a nice view of the ancient city.  Wow!  You don't realize how close all the famous places were until you actually see them from above.

The Vatican was next.  I had set up a private guide through Rome In Limo.  Aurora was wonderful!  She took us where we needed to go - some places normal ticket-holders can't go.  She was very thorough, but also considerate of the attention span and likes of Clare and Daniel.  Although the tour was 2 hours long, it seemed like a blur of information.  I think I could definitely spend an entire day or two in Vatican City.  We first looked at some pictures of the paintings from the Sistine Chapel.  Since you aren't allowed to talk in the Chapel, it's best to learn about what is there beforehand.  We walked through the museum before the Chapel.  I was amazed at the collection of god and goddess statues.  It just seemed unusual for Catholic popes to collect something with which they so strongly disagreed.

The paintings and carvings (on the ceilings, primarily) were amazing.  There was also a tapestry room with several huge wall-sized tapestries depicting Christ in certain stories of the Bible.  

We finally got to the Sistine Chapel.  Truly breathtaking.  You can definitely get a feel for the enormous task of Michelangelo and the other painters that contributed to the space.  The crowd was big, but not too obnoxious.  The worst was the guard who kept getting on the microphone to shush everyone.  It was a bit funny (from a librarian's standpoint.)  :)  

A courtyard in the Vatican City before entering the museum.

St. Peter's Basilica is in the background.

A few of the MANY statues and busts in the museum.  I had to wonder, were these given to the Vatican or taken without permission?

A ceiling in the museum.

Another ceiling.  

The statue that Michelangelo apparently used as a model for a painting of Jesus in the Sistine Chapel.

Another ceiling shot.

Mosaic tile on the floor.

Gotta love the ceiling.

This was from Ephesus.  A fertility goddess.

Tapestry.

Wow!  Check out the ceiling!

 Next was St. Peter's Basilica.  Another amazing church.  Daniel kept comparing it to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (he really liked the SF!)  I don't think Aurora appreciated it - she kept trying to change his mind.  Neither gave up.  Ha!  I think in the end, Daniel agreed they are two totally different basilicas.  St. Peter's has so many details - the paintings and sculptures are very intricate.  (Daniel whispered to me that he likes the fact there isn't any paint in the Sagrada Familia.)  There is so much history - Aurora couldn't tell us everything, but I think she got the fundamental message across.

A door to St. Peter's Basilica.

St. Peter's Square.

Aurora.

Daniel and Aurora having one of many conversations.

The sealed door.  I can't remember when this will be opened by one of the popes.

Pope John Paul's tomb.

Once again, the ceiling was beautiful.

Outside the basilica is St. Peter's Square.  It's enormous!  We saw the Swiss Guard and their strange uniforms, where the Pope normally lives (not the present Pope, who lives in a much smaller apartment), and where the smoke comes out during the Conclave.  After being in the square,  Daniel could not disagree that St. Peter's is bigger than the Sagrada Familia.  (He still says SF is taller.)

The smoke comes out of a temporary pipe on the roof in the center.

The Pope's apartment is in the building on the right.

Aurora with Clare, Daniel and Tom.

The crew and Francesco.  

We said goodbye to Aurora and headed back to the ship with Francesco.  What a wonderful day!  We're all exhausted.  Thank goodness we have 2 days at sea to finally rest!