The ruins and Ancient Rome

Ciao! Mi dispiace per l’attesa grande,

So much has happened since my last update, for which I apologize. I think that it is time to rectify this epic travesty (for which, I’m sure, my family has been very distraught over).

The second day of class was consumed by a tour of the Coliseum and the Roman Forum, some of the most famous and beautiful ruins, but not necessarily my favorite. I remembered the Coliseum so vividly from my first encounter with this colossus, so I probably wasn’t as enthusiastic about this as I should have been.  I loved, however the beauty of the Forum from ground level. Unfortunately the tour guide was pretty quiet and I was too bored by hearing more about these monuments that I have already learned so much about. My one regret from this day is that I didn’t stay and wonder around on my own, but by the end of the tour I think we were all ready to gtfo.

Inside the forum (in what I believe was the rebuilt senate building) was an amazing exhibit of glass that had been excavated from a small town from the same time as the ancient Roman Empire. I was dazzled by the amazing vibrant colors and intricate details that the Romans were able to achieve. They were using techniques comparable to the glasswork of modern Venice! Unbelievable!

Naturally most of the group was bored to death by these things (as I’ve caught on that I am one of the minority that am completely infatuated with the history, art, and architecture of every period of Italy), but fortunately I have found a couple wonderful art history nerd comrades to share in my excitement over such things.

Periodically I would venture around the city seeing the most historical/famous sites… you know, the touristy junk… which is always fun. It would be impossible for me to detail all of these wonderful experiences, so instead I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

I cannot tell you how inspiring the city is. It seems that everywhere you turn there are ruins either sectioned off in little courtyards or piazze or even incorporated into modern buildings (how cool would it be to literally have a bit of aqueduct as your bedroom wall?!... That’s a thing here).

These ruins are easily my favorites to see; maybe because they take me by surprise as I weave through the cobblestone streets or maybe because they seem less tainted by endless reproduction through photos or tchotchkes sold at every vendetori in Italy.

Allora, stay tuned for my next update about my trip to Florence!