Where does one begin when discussing Rome?
Hmm, the art, the fashion, the traffic, the people, the history, the food, the language. . .
Let’s start with traffic. How is this possible? How can so many people drive so badly all at one time? The worst are the mopeds. They completely disregard the sanctity of human life, both yours and their own.
They cut off taxis. Who cuts off taxis? That is like a blood feud. Yet I have never seen an accident occur.
Before coming to Rome, I had read that it was a dirty city. Overwhelmed with graffiti, tourists, cars, and gypsies. In general, rather schlockly.
The reviews were right, but I was smitten. There was just so much of . . . Everything in just one place.
I wandered here and there, but I hit the big spots.
Vatican City – check
The Pantheon – check
The Roman Forum – check
The Colosseum – checkmate.
If there is a building that has always fascinated me, it is the Colosseum.
It exceeded even my unrealistic expectations.
It was built in 8 years by 40,000 Jewish slaves. It had a retractable roof shielding the grandstands from the sun.
It had 28 elevators to lift animals and scenery directly to the main floor.
It had a seating capacity of 50,000.
It is approximately 2000 years old.
It is estimated that 350,000 people and over 1,000,000 animals died there as well over the years.
It is both a monument and a graveyard.
A testament to human ingenuity and its cruelty.
We are a complicated species, but I am open to throwing some moped drivers to the lions.
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