Colosseum and Roman Forum

Today we took a taxi into town and after a ride on the Roman Metro, saw the Colosseum and Roman Forum.

Funny thing, when I booked an apartment in Rome with easy access to the bus system, I thought this would ensure quick and easy transport into and out of the city. Not so. The bus which stops just outside of our apartment seems to be related to the Chicago 145 in that it requires at least an hour of waiting. So, taxis are our new best friends. Taxi drivers here will refuse to take you somewhere if it seems too far away, but they will all take you to the central Metro station, the Termini.

Our apartment is huge for Europe, two bedrooms on two levels, with a very large bathroom, a big balcony, and a kitchenette. It also has a coin laundry. Laundry takes on a high level of importance when you travel.

As you can see, when we move in, we move in!

The bathroom has a bidet, which has been the source of much wonder and merriment for the youngest Winters, once they discovered that it is not, as they thought, a "bathtub for tiny babies."

But who reads a European travel blog to find out about the toilet situation in Rome?

Here come the photos of things you really want to see.

The central area of the Colosseum. Imagine a platform covering the circular area.

Closer to the arena. 

Thousands of years later and the Colosseum still draws huge crowds. It struck me today that every brick of the place was made by someone. Every. Single. Brick. And then someone put those bricks into place. And they are still there now. Maybe brick laying deserves a bit more respect.

The view looking out. It is weird to see the busses and traffic zooming by such a famous old 

landmark.

This is part of the archway which was the old entrance. 

Right near the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, which is a conglomeration of old buildings and ruins.

Dashiell is not looking because it was hot and he saw a bug. 

This was on a building just outside the forum. The painting was at street level but the building went another three floors down. The city is built on layer after layer of old buildings.

Right by the Capitol Building.

Tomorrow it's on to the Vatican!

*Change of plans- the Vatican was sold out for Family Day and when we drove by the mobs of people standing in line we were glad we decided to go to the Pantheon instead.