Rome is the eternal city, with layers of archeological ruins and amazing structures.  The city was spared most of the widespread damage other cities experienced during WW2.  The fountains, palaces and churches were largely unscathed. 

Our first experience of Rome was when we walked the streets around the train station.  It felt like a modern 19th century city.  Our second experience was when our taxi dropped us off at our apartment next to the Vatican.  It was incredible to see the obelisk, columns, fountains and basilica.

Our first night we stayed close to home and enjoyed beer and pizza at a local pub.  We sat in amazement that we finally made it.  After so many years we had achieved my goal.  I wanted to experience Europe, especially Rome by my 30th birthday.  For the next few days we explored with a map then we were able to throw it away.  It was very easy to get around once you recognize the landmarks.

On our first few days we went to the market, caught up on some work and relaxed because once our friends from Netherlands arrived it would be busy.

Our first day they met us after wandering around on the other side of the Vatican looking for us.  We met them out on the street and they dropped their stuff off.  We walked into town looking for the Campo de Fiori and found Plazza Navona instead.  We found a pizza just off the plaza and had a beer.  After a leisurely meal it was time to explore.  We cut across the Plazza to see the fountains and then onto the Pantheon.  We wandered around drinking beer and enjoying the walk.   We got turned around and found the Plazza Campo de Fiori by accident.  It was very lively and full of all sorts of people.  We found a seat and watched people pass by.  Drink after drink we sat and enjoyed our time.  They brought out little snacks and simple pub food which was nice.

After a little while some street performers came over.  Some play the acordian, some play a fiddle and others do tricks or sing.  One such magician put on quite a show.  We couldn't help but laughing and the complete sillyness of the routine.   He would keep repeating the phrase "Guarda" and doing a little trick.  He turned fire into flowers with a noticeable click on his device.  He swallowed a sword with crazy choking sounds.  You could clearly see the sword tip rolled up into his sleeve.  You could hear him yell Guarda all over the square.  In the end he would walk around to collect money with the toupee he took off his head.

A few minutes after he left the vendors started coming around.  They were trying to wake up Asha to get her to see the toys they had to sell.  After three of them I started to get a bit angry and immediately told them to beat it as they started to walk over.

We walked home a few hours later. The walk took us across one of the many bridges, up the road to the Vatican and around St. Peter's Square.  We planned to visit the the Basilica the next day since it was scheduled to rain.   That evening we stuck close to home and checked out the local restaurant downstairs.  Well it turned out to be pretty incredible.  The food was fantastic and the meal was definitely worth the money.  I had a big bowl of the best tasting marinara sauce I have ever had.

We worked a bit the next morning until the rain stopped and the day started to clear.  We were to do the fountain tour.  We already have seen some of the impressive ones but there were still plenty more to see.  We wandered back across the river and headed for the Spanish Steps.  There we ran into a bit of trouble as gelato vendor at the top who sold us some really horrible stuff.  We wanted our money back but they were going to have none of it.  After we made a big scene and scared some potential customers off we felt better about getting ripped off.   We headed back down the stairs to find that our friends had found the best gelato shop of the trip.

From there we wandered up a few streets to an old Greek temple that has been taken over by a school.  You can see how far the city has risen over a couple thousand years, at least 2 meters.  We turned and headed up the the Trevi fountain which was packed full of people.  We made a wish and sat down beside the pool for some pictures.  Right nearby is a book store where you can look through the floor to see an ancient storage rooms with jars and pots.   Pretty much everywhere in the city you will find just below the street some ruin.  Many of the old buildings or ruins are well below current street level.

The next day it turned hot and sunny so it was time to head down on a long walk around town.  We strolled down the river towards the Circus Maximus.  You could feel in the big open field the horses and chariots racing around the tight corners.  We crossed the field and walked up the street past the entrance to the Roman Forum to the Arch of Tiberus.  Situated beside the Colosseum it was dwarfed by the huge structure.  We didn't go into any of them but there was plenty to see while walking around them.  We walked to a cafe and started drinking beer to cool off.  We visited the War Memorial, Julius Caesar's Forum and the place where he was assassinated.   We saw a few shopping malls and plenty of small streets with restaurants, gelato shops and wine and beer shops.   A large portion of the population by some beer or wine and sit by the fountains to drink.   We did the same and it felt great about it.  We finished off our night having dinner in Campo De Fiori.  It was a full tour of the old city and it was wonderful.  

The next day we walked our friends to the Metro station for their journey to the airport.  We headed back to the Colosseum and went inside this time.  The video tour doesn't tell much but it was still interesting.  Looking down from the different balconies you can see how impressive the building is and the absolute carnage that occurred there.   It was preserved over the years because to this extent because it was used as a church and declared a holy place because of all the Martyrs that were killed there.   Modern engineering has been inserted into the structure to make it accesible to everyone and to keep it from falling down anymore.

Later that day after a bit of a meal we went back to our apartment to rest.  The next day went to any place but the main attractions.  We got lost in the city and loved it.  We picked up a couple of supplies for our trip the next day and did a little bit of shopping.

We caught a taxi first thing in the morning to drive us out to the airport.  We passed by huge old villas and ancient aqueducts in the fields.  It was a bit sad to leave the city with many of it's treasures unseen but we knew deep down that we would be back.