Roma part 2

We spent so long in the Roman Forum that they were no longer allowing entry to the Colosseum by the time we got there. Instead, we went to the Spanish steps where we had gelato and people watched like Princess Ann and waited for Gregory Peck to come along. He didn't show. Since we were so close by, though, we stopped by his house at via Marguta 51. This is the address they give in the movie, and it's actually the right place! The sign said no trespassing in multiple languages, but I took a peek up the stairs anyway. I couldn't find the exact house, but I could tell that it was definitely the right area. It's a really artsy neighborhood now, so it looks quite different.


The week before going to Rome, there had been a visitor at our Thursday night Bible studies. He's from New Orleans but has been living in Rome for several years now. He told us about the church he attends in Rome, which settled our plans for staying the entire weekend there rather than just a Friday & Saturday trip. After church, we went to the Trevi fountain and had gelato, which is the only way to truly enjoy such a monument if you hadn't noticed, at least the only way that is allowable. Dancing in the fountain La Dolce Vita style if frowned upon these days. We threw the coins in over our shoulder so that we' be sure to come back to Rome again.

From there, we returned to the Colosseum. It is bigger than most (if not all) of the modern stadiums in Italy. It would be amazing to open it back up for soccer matches. I think many would frown on this, however...Katie didn't like the suggestion. It is strange to think of it though: this ancient ruin is basically a glorified stadium. If we were back in its heyday, there would probably be little wine bars and popcorn stands. A cotton candy vendor walking up and down the stairs, gelato on the corner, souvenirs and cheesy photo ops. There are, of course, much more serious associations with the Colosseum. Yes, it was a stadium that held 70,000 viewers, but what were they watching? They were there cheering on the deaths of countless men. Many of those were our predecessors in this world, being martyred for the cause of Christ, to the great entertainment of many. It was a very sobering thought, to stand there, not in the middle of the arena but in the stands, looking on.
Those coins into the Trevi seem to be working as we'll be back in Rome very soon to finish seeing the sites. Next time: Sistine Chapel, top priority, lines of fellow gawkers or no.