Rome, Italy

Today we departed from the ship, which was our home for the last 2 weeks. Arriving in the port of Civitevecchio by 4am, the ship crew was probably ready for us to leave. I must admit that I had grown accustomed to my accommodations. It was with a bit of melancholy that I grabbed our bags for the trip to Rome. But by now it was 7:45 am and we headed out to meet our driver. Fabio was waiting for us and we loaded the car and headed out. About a 40 minute ride from the port to our hotel set us back 160 Euros, ouch. But as I told Melissa, the financial damage had been done and we won’t start worrying about insignificant things like money at this point in the trip.

We are great travelers but this morning…we had a lapse. We boarded the wrong train into town. Luckily a fellow passenger ( A Japanese flight attendant) recognized our mutual error. Before we ended up in back in Naples we jumped off the train and with a few connections on the underground we were back to Termini and ready to go in Roma.

Rome is hard to describe. So majestic, so magnificent, so busy, so much attitude, and so much history. We started the day at the National Museum, looking at sculptures of Julias Caesar and Augustus Caesar, the men who ended the republic and began the Empire. Looking into their Marble eyes is humbling. What was it like to be subject to these incredibly powerful men? I can’t understand how they thought or how they felt about everyday things. I do know they were much more powerful than any modern day ruler. They expected to be and were worshipped as Gods.

The basement of the museum had a coin collection and we were able to look at coins (Denarius) during the entire history of Rome. I had a special interest in the period where Jesus was alive. “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” has a new meaning looking at these coins.

We also spent a good hour viewing the Mosaics. I have always wanted my talented wife to use her artistic talents to create mosaics. We spent lots of time enjoying the talents of the ancient Romans. I have a feeling they will be outdone very soon.

It was a bit of a rainy day, but a bit of a sunny day as well. By afternoon the sun was in charge and the day became glorious. We made our way to Castel St Angelo. The Castle of the Sainted Angel. I am not exactly privy to how an angel becomes a saint, but I understand the Michael at some point found special favor with a Pope. During a plague, A pope saw Michael in the air putting his sword back in its holder. This was interpreted to be the end of the plague… Turns out that was the case. Next thing you know Michael was a Saint as well as an Angel. The Castel st Angelo is a circular castle that was fortified during the middle ages. Originally it was intended as Emperor Hadrian’s burial place, but its location on the Tiber River and strong brick and stone walls allowed for the fortress to be a lasting part of Rome.

The views from the top are incredible. The Vatican on one side, the Tiber on the other, all the sights Rome, and only 8 Euros to walk up the 40 meters to the top. For 12 Euros you can have a cold beer on top but we passed on that option to see more of the glory of Rome.

Next we were of to the Spanish steps. Time to relax and sit among the best of Rome. I went to get a cheap beer and found Melissa kicked off her prime time spot on the steps to allow the filming of a music video. I don’t think it took more than 15 minutes but everyone present seemed to very impressed with the whole process. I bet our kids knew these teenage singers and performers. For the last two weeks I have been using all 6 of my grey hairs to my best advantage to fit into the cruise scene. We let the younger crowd watch these Italian superstars and kept sitting and relaxing on the steps. Sometimes getting old has advantages.

So onto the metro and the fabled free ride back from the Hilton Bus. I had managed to tour everything without setting foot on a bus but a free bus ride in lieu of 160 Euros sounded good to Melissa and even better to me.

We managed to make the acquaintance of a mother and son from Pittsburg on the way back on the Hilton Bus. Of course, I told the “I have traveled with my mother and sister to Alaska story”. Check the blog if you don’t know it. But the son, was a great conversationalist on the way home. In English, he listened to my stories with an impressive interest. At least it seemed that way at the time. Oh well, he is added to this blog, and I consider him a fine young man.

We ended the day by talking with the kids and trying to rest before the long series of flights home the following day.