"They gave us such a great room"

Yesterday I went for a morning walk. I like to orient myself to the city. Looking a maps - particularly tourist maps - is never enough since they never give distances.

l followed the direction we had used to locate the Spanish Steps. Ahead I saw in the distance what I now recognized as the Victor Emmanual Monument. White marble with bronze horses on top, you can see the top easily from a mile away. As I walked the Via Nazionale, I began to realize that I was walking towards the Forum and Antique Rome. Down a flight of stairs, there is Trajan's column. There is Trajan Forum, Augustus' Forum and Imperial Forum. Then, I see the Colosseum in the distant.

There is no traffic just people walking and reading. As you get closer the crowds are larger, the Colosseum is huge. I read Rick Stevens' comment that the Colosseum is impressive only because of its engineering. He is wrong. If the Grand Canyon is impressive because it is a really large ditch dug by a river, then I will grant that the Colosseum is only a testament is Roman Concrete.

I wish Bill was here to explain this all to me. It is all that I have read and viewed on the History and Discovery Channel. When you see this ancient Rome, you understand more about the history of Rome. Why things were so immediate to these people. They walked. They did not have to wait for a cab.

Your first thought is that there must not be any clay left in Italy. Romans are famous for concrete and stone, but what you realize is that every building's core is red brick. Think about it, buildings over 6 stories high made from brick that has lasted over 2000 years. We do not make brick that solid today.
Your second thought is that the ancient Rome was much lower than present Rome. I am always interested in how things like weather and changes in topography affect history. We see the past through our lives and present environment. For example, at one time Rome was located far near its port city of Ostia.

Later in the afternoon, we went for a long walk through Embassy Row. Embassies are easily identified by the Italian soldiers parked at the gates.

Our destination was Hard Rock Café. After 6 weeks, I really wanted something American. We found out that the Hard Rock is very popular with everyone. I had pulled pork sandwich which was great. The Margarita was delicious.

The Hard Rock is in the Via V Vento area which is definitely up-scale. The area reminds you very much of Paris. A broad avenue lined with trees.

In Rome, you move centuries with a turn of the head.

Today - Sunday - was moved date. We are now in the apartment. What a great location.