I’m back in Rome!! I am so happy to be here. I last visited this city in 2018 and fell deeply in love. The city encompasses everything I look for. Exquisite food, beautiful art, history, culture and architecture. Along with these 5 things is usually great weather! Rome – a perfect destination for me.
First Day
Speaking of weather, it wasn’t that great. It sprinkled off and on most of the day. This was in fact, the first day I have used my jacket since leaving Canada 4.5 months ago. 😂
Not to worry, I was still on my way and anxious to re-visit my favourite places.
Colosseum
Deep in the core of Rome, lies the Colosseum. Growing up and learning about ancient history, watching movies about gladiators and Romans, it was all like a movie in my head. Something that supposedly took place ages ago but completely intangible to that little Canadian kid. That is, until that fateful day in November of 2018, when I first set eyes on the Colosseum.
2018
I remember, walking and walking, looking up and ahead, hoping to catch a glimpse of this enigmatic structure. Round a corner and just past the Altar of the Fathers, and I saw it. My heart stopped and my breath faltered. I actually began to cry right then and there in the street.
I don’t know why seeing the Colosseum hit me so hard, but hit me it did. I was lucky that I had a tour booked that day. It took me deep inside, down into the bowels where the gladiators and animals were kept, and up into the skies. That day, was the very first day, and I was on the very first tour, of the opening of the 4th tier. That level had never been opened up to the public before.
It was marvellous. Seeing the Colosseum up close was everything I had hoped and more. Touching the stones, viewing the genius construction of the arches, being up at the top and looking at the stage floor, it was all surreal.
2023
Now, four years later, it is still a marvel to me. The Colosseum was absolutely first on my list to see this trip. Gloomy rainy day or not, I headed straight there.
Wow, what an amazing structure. It just oozes history from every angle. My pictures from this day are dark, but in a way, it offers another perspective. For the history of the building is rather dark. So many men and animals lost their lives in this place.
I did not have a tour today, been there done that. But wow, it still takes my breath away. Rome – a perfect destination for me….always.
