"Rome, of course Rome" -- Day 2

This is Rome's subway. We seldom take it though, because I am fond of walking, and more importantly, I don't want to miss any part of Rome on the ground.

We took the subway to Colosseum - "传说中的罗马斗兽场". It was however not a good idea. After reading so many stories about it, watching so many documentaries of it, spending so much time studying it in my architecture class, finally I am going to see it with my eyes and touch it as well! I felt so excited that I was almost nervous when taking the subway. The subway station was just a street away from the Colosseum, I was not so ready yet when I exit the subway station, then it just so "abruptly" appeared in my sights. I was so overwhelmed that I could not move my feet.

You use your vocabularies to describe it. I felt speechless and drained of words.

The main road leading to the Colosseum. I think it's better to take this route and walk to the Colosseum, so that you can approach it little by little.

I am very satisfied with this picture :-)

It was Jan. 1st when we went there, so it's not open to tourist. I leaned by the gate and tried to get a glimpse of the inside. It looks like someone was trying to break the door. Maybe a slaved gladiator had this attempt from the other side thousands of years ago.



Perhaps because it was the first day of the new year, we were lucky to enjoy the performance of two high school marching bands from California in front of the Colosseum. Think deep into it, it's quite wired combination though. California and Rome, marching bands and Colosseum. Ancient Rome did not have marching bands -- their entertainment was killing war prisoners and Christians.

How many New Year carnivals have the Colosseum witnessed?

These three pictures show the expansion of Roman Empire.

The Palatine Hill. These stairs are said to be designed by Michelangelo. But I am not artistic enough to see how special it is.

The origin of Rome.

Ruins of the Roman Forum. Throughout the era of the kings, the Republic and the Empire, the Forum was the political, religious and social center of the Roman World ( Was Julius Caesar assassinated here?). But now, only ruins are left.

This is Palazzo Venezia. It was once Mussolini's official residence. Locals call it a type machine because of its shape. But I think it's a beautiful architecture nevertheless.

After thousands of years, only this Trojan's Column is left in the original Trojan's market.

These are my travel buddies, Mavis at the back, Hazel in the front. Hazel left after Rome, so Mavis accompanied me until Paris. About this picture, there was a funny story. We ordered two salads, so with the two plates they were given, they two went to the salad bar. See how much they brought back! According to the impressed waitress, they were 4 salads rather than 2. Thanks to the practices at Pizza Hut~