roma: the colosseum.

So, I went to Rome last weekend.

Day One: We got off the train, dropped our stuff off at the hostel, and walked to the Colosseum without our coats on.

…Well. Ok. I was the only one not wearing a coat. But I’m the tough northeasterner who comes from snowy weather, see, so I could handle it.

Anyway. The Colosseum:

It was like, really big. Colossal, even.

It was seriously incredible to stand inside such a famous piece of ancient history, and imagining it filled to the brim with screaming Roman commoners and majestic senators and stalwart gladiators, although difficult at first, was thrilling.

What you see in the picture above is the remains of the area beneath the main floor where the gladiators fought, used to move equipment and animals, and a reconstruction of the floor where all the gory action took place over 150 times per year. And, you know, the rest of the Colosseum is in the picture too. Just saying.

The slanted areas were filled with seats, and about 60,000 Romans could fill the arena in a matter of minutes by using the multiple doors that go all the way around the building from the street.

We waited in line for about an hour to get inside, but it was totally worth it (even though I almost froze to death because it was 60 degrees in the sun so I didn’t wear a coat but then we had to stand under damp rocks to wait but I didn’t complain because I’m the tough northeasterner).

The Forum and the Arc of Constantine are right outside. (That’s the Arc of Constantine.)

This is Palatine Hill. The Forum’s behind it.

This is the Forum, where all the ancient Romans lived (Except from the other side and about 4 hours later.) And technically, this is just a big thing with columns inside the forum. Apparently I neglected to edit a photo of the whole thing. Silly me.

There was old stuff, like, everywhere. I mean, I guess that’s bound to happen when you visit the seat of an ancient empire, but it was still awfully mind-blowing. If you want to see even more, check out my Rome flickr set! (I know. Shameless plug.)

Here we are! From left: Yours Truly, Marigrace, Nina, and Brittany. (Not pictured (because it was a girls’ picture…duh) Will and Max. You can see them if you check out the flickr, I promise.)

Up next: Day 2, Vatican City (and everything else ever built in Rome).