The Roman Forum and the Colosseum were our first stops in Rome. Taking the subway we were prepared to be accosted by gypsies at every turn but were lucky to be there in the off season and all the gypsies were on vacation. Our entire trip was gypsy free.
Exiting the subway at the Colosseum, we walked to the entrance of the Forum but despite everyones assurance that we could find a guide there, they to were absent. We opted for an audio guide which proved to be disappointing and difficult to figure out what the heck they were talking about. I enjoyed the ruins and loved walking through history but when we arrived at the Colosseum we decided to pay for a tour guide and had a much more interesting time. Did you know that the Colosseums arches are all pitted with holes because it was looted for its metals that were inside?
Learning from our Forum mistake, the next day we hired a tour guide to go through the Vatican, which includes the Sistine Chapel. The obscene opulence and over the top abundance throughout the Vatican Museums should be an embarrassment for a religious organization who's spiritual founder condemned the accumulation of wealth, but nobody else seemed to see the hypocrisy. Our tour guide had many interesting theological opinions and did refer to the churches plunder to acquire many of its treasures.
But all was forgiven when I entered the Sistine Chapel. Standing under the awe inspiring site is truly humbling. I was in the presents of greatness. I am forever grateful that the Pope commissioned this masterpiece. Thankfully, no talking or photos are allowed. I was forced to leave only when my neck couldn't take it any more.
Exiting, we walked out in front of St Peters Basilica. Another masterpiece, this time in architecture, the piazza and church open a vast space for people and worshipers. Inside St Peters there is too much to see, from Michelangelo's Pieta to his dome, statues, shrines, the alter, I can't list them all. We returned to our hotel happy and exhausted after seeing so much.
