Since it’s Sunday morning we decide to go visit the local sports venue. We know what Sundays in the fall are all about! Hard hits, violence, winning and losing, the roar of the crowds……
On our way to the stadium we stop by the local church.
As we look around the ornamentation is amazing. This is just a humble neighborhood church. When you look closer you realize that all of the priests that have overseen the church are buried in its walls! Not the kind of thing you see in your average Methodist church!
Take a look at this dude. He looks like he’s seen too many confessions in his day.
Luckily I’ve got my own Angel to take care of me. (The cute blonde in front).
Moving on from the church it’s time to go visit the stadium.
This place has it all:
- A great location
- It’s paid for
- Holds around 65,000
- Early air conditioning
- Running water
- Special skyboxes
- Exclusive vestal virgin seating
- Exotic animals
- Events are free to the populace
- Within walking distance of the Appian way
- Contests and exhibitions can go on for days
- New competitors every week
- Lots of good old fashioned violence
- And it’s built to last!
After walking around the Colosseum you run into Constantine’s Arch. This guy did it all so it’s only fitting he would build this huge arch after himself.
After absorbing all this history we head back over to the Victor Emmanuel Monument.
Kim says hi to Ceaser as we pass by. She leans over and tells Ceaser we’re here to praise him, not to bury him….. then she pinches his butt!
We’re back at the Monument and it’s Sunday so yesterday’s protesters have gone home and are probably sleeping in. Civil disobedience in Italy can be so tiring.
The following story should be logged as a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing……
After reading my guide book I see that there is a big elevator that will take you all the way to the rooftop of the Monument. There’s supposed to be a great view…….
Kim finds the side entrance and we roll on in.
When we ask about the elevator we are told by a very nice girl that it is up 5 flights of stairs. When she says this she smiles a little too wide….. my Spidersense is alerted but I’m undaunted.
So up we go!
And up. Nana seemed to like this painting…..
And up….. (I didn’t take pictures of all the stairs but I have serious doubts on the math education being given to Italian kids nowadays.
After what seemed like a thousand foot ascent we reach the elevator and get to the roof.
As we were looking at the church next door (there’s always a church next door, it seems) I look down the steps and see a car pull up….
A nice little Italian wedding. It like we’re in a Fellini movie. It’s also the last time we ever saw that guy. Just sayin.
After viewing the skyline from the rooftop I do a double take. There’s the roof of the Pantheon, where we were last night. Very cool.
After a very successful morning it’s time to gather our gear and head off for the next part of the adventure. The bullet train! 🚄
The Traveling Hippogators 