Contrasts in Rome

We recently returned from 3 days in Roma. This is now the third time I have been there and I am amazed at how each experience has been remarkably different. Even when viewing the same things.

Evidence of ancient Rome, The Rome of the Caesars' is everywhere. You turn your head at a street corner, and a thick, massive ancient brick wall protrudes out into the street from the edge of a building. There is even a church (still in use today) that is built within a vast Roman bathhouse from the time of Emperor Diocletian. The heart of Rome is "The Forum." Sandy, Hannah, Rachael (who joined us from Spain) and I meandered through the Colosseum, the  Palatine Hill (the hill overlooking the Forum that was the residence of the Caesars), and the area of the Forum (the political, religious and economic centre of Rome). Several things stood out to me as we walked around; the absolute power, wealth and monumentality of the Roman Empire contrasting the small, weak and humble existence of those conquered or imprisoned. The monumental is seen in the expansive palace built on Palatine Hill for Caesar Augustus. It was much, much larger than the White House or 24 Sussex Drive, or even Buckingham Palace. Compare this with the imprisoned, who were chained up in the Mamertime prison, located at the other end of the Forum from Caesar's palace. Here, prisoners were lowered in through a hole in the ceiling, their only source of air. The cistern-like room, hewn out of rock, was small, and dark. No toilet, no bed, just cold and damp. This was the prison for high profile prisoners like defeated foreign commanders, who were kept here until they were publicly executed. Tradition says that this is where St. Peter and St. Paul were kept immediately before their martyrdoms.

Now to a lighter note. Gelato. Hannah discovered "biscotti" flavoured gelato near Piazza Navona. It was sooooo good that we had to return on a rainy day for seconds. Another favourite was "coco" (coconut), from Old Bridge gelateria, a place near the Vatican recommended by friends. We are becoming connoisseurs of gelati. I can tell because for some reason my pants are tighter. Boy, do I need a gym workout.