Rueful Roamin’ Romans

Today is our last full day in Rome. It has been a pleasure to really immerse ourselves in this the Eternal City and soak up as much culture, history, food and alcohol there is to offer. I think we succeeded.
An early start and we walked from home to the Colosseum, it really is not far if you go the right way. Then we parted ways for the day.

Barb’s story. I have long had a fascination with the naughtiest of Emperors and today I got to tour the Domus Area. The Golden House of Nero. One of the most infamous of  historical figures. First we had to put on a paper cap and a hard hat, as some bits are unstable and we are going underground. I was a teeny bit excited.

It was cold inside and got colder as we were underground. Nero was so hated by all by the time of his ‘suicide’ in 68AD that anything he built was covered over. Early in the tour we had a multi media display on the wall.

 

The ceilings were so high and there were fake ones but most of that is gone. The frescos on the walls were very reminiscent of Pompeii and Herculaneum which makes sense as it is the same time period of interior design fashions.

We sat in a room and had to take off our hard hats and put on virtual reality goggles which took us on a bit of a tour of the house in its heyday. It was quite amazing and unsettling at the same time. I was dizzy for a minute or 2 after.  We went to the dining room that was reportedly revolving and had a model of the night sky above but unfortunately there is no real evidence of this. Bloody ancient writers! That shot on the right was a waterfall though and all his fancy statues that are now in the Vatican were here too. I loved this tour, this place only reopened a few years ago.

I was glad to get back up to the mild winter after the arctic temperatures of the tour. I took a wander on the Oppian Hill, this seems to be where the locals bring their dogs to be off leash. Part of Trajan’s Baths are up here and always the looming image of the Colosseum nearby.

There were many crowds and hawkers and I wanted to get away and do some shopping. I wandered the many surrounding streets.  Time for some sustenance I decided to be a tacky tourist and dine by the Flavian Amphitheatre, (yeah yeah colosseum). I was very surprised by the reasonably priced traditional menu and even considered ordering tripe. Sorry Mum, I just couldn’t, even for you!

I had pasta with beans and pork skins. It was like a spicy soup and the pork was rinds but tender and not gross. Very nice with a glass of Chianti and I made friends with the Belgians sitting next to me. A little more browsing and then walked home. Tired, I had time for a snooze and then some packing before our departure tomorrow.

Terry’s Story. Now a 10 day veteran of Rome the starting point of the tour was easy to find, our group had 22 people and at E40 per ticket and 6 groups leaving at 10am City Wonders must make a motza. A brief stop and history of the Flavians we were inside the Colosseum without much fuss. The views from the middle class seats were fantastic, it really is one of those places you just have to see for yourself.

After leaving the Colosseum we moved on to the Palatine hill. Worst security queue ever, only 2 x-ray scanners. Once inside many of us enjoyed a much needed toilet break (if you ever visit Rome you’ll understand the fixation on toilets). Up to the Palatine hill where all the rich bastards lived and then down to the Roman Forum. Hard to explain how amazing it was to finally stand in what was the centre of the Roman world, pictures and maps just can’t explain a sense of place the way being there does. After the tour much wandering was done around the area and finally saw an aqueduct, the Aqua Claudia that brought water to the Palatine. A quick walk home and as luck would have it, it was beer o’clock.

We reunited with stories to tell in the late afternoon and to prepare for our farewell to Rome meal. We have made a reservation at the local restaurant we have enjoyed the most in our time here. 5e28 Cucina Mescale. Named so because the owners first laid eyes on their perfect venue for their culinary dream at 5.28pm years ago.

So our intention was to try and get through all 4 courses like real Italians, (skip the salad). Like true visionaries we were determined. Course 1. A. 3 types of meatballs each with a matching sauce. Beef with tomato, tuna with salsa verde and pork with honey mustard. B, fried artichokes and sauce.

Course 2. Option A. Fettuccine with rabbit ragout. Option B. Spaghetti with prawns. Simply delicious. Apologies for the blurred photos.

Course 3. More wine! Option A. Octopus with mashed potato n stuff. Option B. Beef cheeks and polenta. Getting ready to wave the white flag…….

Course 4. Terry decided to have the ‘chocolate creamy’ again, Barb conceded and tried their Tiramasu. Food coma’s aplenty.

Salute Roma!

…. and just because, more parking fun, on our walk home.