This is our last full day in Rome. The lady at Hotel Cecil (where we checked in) had recommended Piazza del Popolo as a great place to enjoy a bird's eye view of Rome. So we made our way to the Spanish Steps and beyond.
On our way we saw a movie being filmed! The actress looked really glam and had the flattest tummy I've ever seen on a real person. They look like they're supposed to be really famous but I have no idea who they are. After each shoot the actress would be surrounded by makeup artists blotting her face for her. That's what star treatment means I suppose.
We were more amused by the calefares than the lead actor+actress. It was freaking hot, yet they had to wear these winter wear. They stood at each pole and once the shoot started, they would walk around, pretending to mind their own business. There were even cars and bicycles going by with people wearing winter wear. Each time the director shouted cut, they would walk back to their respective poles and wait for their turn to walk around again.
quite cool looking calefare with leather jacket and scarf.
Walked a bit more and reached the top of Piazza del Popolo..
a
everywhere you go in rome (or make that Italy), you see people selling a) mini tripods, b) little wheeled alphabet thingies c) shades
we saw someone doing this, and followed suit. All along we had been drinking from the bottom of the spout.. Just realized that there was a hole on top, and you just had to stop the water flow and water would spurt out! So smart!
We walked down towards Piazza del Popolo and were contemplating whether to eat at this restaurant, when we saw Gerri and Shengxiang(?) appear! So qiao, they were eating there. I guess Rome isn't that huge a city. They said the food was not bad so we stepped in.
My generous serving of seafood mee hoon kueh and pb's measly serving of swordfish. One of the few times where my choice of menu is 20000x better than pb's.
Of course, how could we miss out the Colosseum! We originally wanted to take public transport but what the heck, decided to cab instead. Wasn't that ridiculously expensive, I think it was only a few euros.
This is my favourite place in Rome. We've grown up hearing stories about gory gladiator fights and sacrifices in here for the sake of entertainment. Coming here made me realize how real the stories were. This place forced me to imagine the scenes and grasp the actuality of how crazy humans can be.
As we approached the area, a young man approached us and asked if we wanted an English guided tour. I think it was, 23 Euros inclusive of entrance. So we agreed, paid, and waited around for the group to gather.
Our very hunky tour guide who looked like he could have been one of the gladiators himself.
We went through the security check, and he explained to us why the Colosseum looks like swiss cheese. There were bits of metal which people stole to make weapons.
The interior. What you see at the bottom are the basement chambers in which slaves, gladiators, animals were kept. It used to be covered with the platform on which the games were held.
It's a pity that the Colosseum has very much been destroyed by earthquakes, and the looting of precious metals for construction elsewhere. I always feel a sense of unjust when the tour guide whips out a 'Rome Reconstructed' book to show us how it should have been.. How are we supposed to imagine that this used to be all shiny and new?
So.. down to the details. The folk of Rome were always allowed to check out the shows, even kids! There was a class system: noble people sat at the bottom (better view) and the commoners would sit all the way at the top.
There was a canvas roof/shade draped along the top of the Colosseum, making it hot and stuffy for the audience. Along with the gory scenes before them, it was not surprising that the audience often puked everywhere.
Now for the exciting part.. what exactly went on in here?
Well, anything you could imagine. The Romans were extremely creative I should say, with a weird sense of humor.
Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
It has even been said that the Colosseum games almost contributed to endangering the lion species. Do read the wiki page.. I find it extremely, morbidly interesting.
It has been estimated that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games. [Source: Wikipedia]
One of the games involved gladiators. At each time 2 gladiators would fight. The guy who won a round, would strip of his armor and continue fighting with a new gladiator. This goes on until all but one gladiator was alive. Sounds like a mad killing spree to me, but for the gladiators who actually manage to survive till the end, they are given the utmost honor. Hence many still choose to become gladiators, training to be the very best.
The only remaining platform. Can you imagine the people of Rome sitting here, watching the drama unfold before them? Russell Crowe lookalikes dancing around with their bronze tans and much muscles =D
The basement.. imagine the slaves and beasts being let loose here during the games.
We left the Colosseum with its majestic appearance and stories etched in our minds. Now it was time for the Roman Forum opposite the Colosseum. Here's pb with an overpriced bottle of frozen mineral water. Tasted superbly refreshing under the sweltering heat. Another great idea, especially in Rome where there are water fountains everywhere so you could refill it as the ice melts and the water would stay cold.
this was their toilets. They had no toilet paper, instead they used a wet sponge placed at the end of a stick =p
This was their Orchard Road, or Champs Elysees.. Women walked along this street to shop for their medieval time Gucci and Prada. And as an added treat, on the right of that path, is the gym (right photo), where the muscular Roman men did their workouts nekkid =D.
Our good looking guide showing us the Roman handshake. It allows you to check if there are any weapons hidden up one's sleeve.
One of those scenes where you need a 'Rome Reconstructed' book again. This place used to be way more beautiful, but yeah. used to be. Most of the marble/statues/good stuff have been retrieved and reused in building places such as the Vatican City.
pb only know how to eat gelato
We were grateful for these signs which were everywhere. This was found near the Colosseum. Note that our hotel is near Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps, so we could just follow these signs to walk home. Fantastic!
We never thought we'd be sick of pasta and pizza only after a few days. But it's like eating ban3 mian4 and roti prata EVERYDAY. I don't know how the Romans can stand it. So we were thrilled to find this chinese eatery which was cheap too! Although it felt a lil stupid to eat Chinese food in Italy, but ah, it was a great change from the very non-creative daily pasta and pizza.
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