The soundtrack to this trip would be Dance,Dance, Dance by Lykke Li and Rome by Phoenix from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.
Perhaps, i was trying to dance my way around the world and avoid the moments of grief and sadness. Hard to do when it comes on unexpectedly. So that's why dance is a good way to go around.
In that manner, after some TLC from a friend, i found myself set onto the right train to head on out to Gatwick Airport. Catching Easyjet to Rome, horribly dismayed to find myself stuck in the baggage drop line for nearly an hour. Quite a few of us were pulled out of the line barely 20 minutes from boarding because of this, and of course, the flight was delayed. Upon arrival, another hour was spent waiting for luggage. At this point, with the barest of breakfasts (between pleasure and food, pleasure comes first, to be repented at leisure later), i was a bit close to passing out. It was already 430p.m and my Night Walking Tour of Rome was due to start at 1830.
From the airport, the 2nd cheapest way to get to the city centre is via the Leonardo da Vinci express from Fiumicino to Termini station in Rome-the main station. It only costs 14 Euro one way and takes 30 minutes in air-conditioned comfort. Most importantly, no car sickness as a bus would induce. The shuttle buses are the cheapest option however. Only 8 euros. A taxi will cost you 40 Euros. I'd rather spend my money on food.
Somehow, i find Termini station. The Termini is where you can catch the train, the subway and buses. M&J Hostel where i would spend the next 4 days is only 600m from the station. Would not recommend it to people who can be picky about comfort. I had a single, private en-suite. The bed drooped in the middle, you could not hang out on the balcony as it was used for storage and opened onto the common-room lounge balcony and the proximity just over the bar..made for no sleep. That said, it was centrally located and cheap. In low season 45 euros, i paid 60 euros which is reasonable for the convenience. It made no sense to stay at the Sheraton, take the train every day into the city and no restaurants around!.
http://www.mejplacehostel.com/
Grabbing a taxi, made my way in time to Piazza Navona which is the meeting point for our tour. I managed to finally get a bite to eat, some pistachio gelato before we start walking for 3 hours.
The tour was by Enjoy Rome
http://www.enjoyrome.com/walking/index.html. Our guide that evening was Dario, whose background is in Art History. We were very lucky to get him. I must say i really enjoyed the detailed explanations.
First stop was Piazza Navona itself. It was built on the site of a stadium (1st century AD), as the Romans did enjoy their "bread and circuses". This gives the square its unusual elongated shape as it was used to run chariot races and for other games.
Dario went on to explain that the fountain that marked our meeting point, Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini, was designed to celebrate the four rivers that brought life upon the continents (as Australia was undiscovered)- the Rio de la Plata, Ganges, Nile, Danube. Each are presented by figures, with Nile's face covered because its source was unknown. After reading up, apparently the Nile has 2 main sources; the White Nile arising from Lake Victoria, Uganda and the Blue Nile, arising from the Ethiopian highlands.
From here, we walked to Palazzo Madama- part of the Medici's family holdings and served as its embassy in Rome. Now, it serves as the Senate.
As we approached the Pantheon, the sun was lower in the sky. Dario explained that Romans worshipped many pagan gods, hence pan-all/many, theon- the gods. It is an example of a perfect construct apparently. The dome is the main feature, built using a then novel scaffolding technique and using bricks. It was strengthened with cement that had small bricks with different weights according to height it was placed in (so that as it got nearer to the top, lighter material was used). Marble was then placed all over the structure- this was later stripped to be re-used in other buildings. The "foro" or hole in the dome acts to illuminate the temple and the way the light shined in acted as "heaven's illumination onto the world". If it indeed rains heavily, some rain may enter. The floor was built to slope in the middle so that water could drain.
The "porta" or door is the original door, more than a thousand years old.It has been repaired over the centuries and still utilizes the same mechanism.
Raphael's sarcophagus inlaid in marble is to the left of the entrance. I loved what Pope Leo said about him:
"Here lies Rapahel, who whilst living, nature feared it would be outdone. At his death, nature itself feared it would die".
Onwards, we head to Piazza Colonna where there lies a reproduction of Trajan's Obelisk.
It is a short walk from there to the Trevi Fountains, it is built in the "naturalist" manner where the architect attempted to potray the waters erupting out of the ground. Symbolizing the restorative features of water, the god Aesculapius is depicted flanked by water horses and the Virgin to his left, bearing a spear.
After a break at Trevi Fountain, we make our way to Quirinale where Dario explains that the Palazzo della Exposioni (1911) was built to celebrate the unification of Italy.
From here, we stop at the Colonna Traiana, Mercati Traiana & Foro Traiano with views overlooking the monument to Vittorio Emannuel II. The whole Roman forum complex started off as a market area and basilica (places to dispense justice;courts if you like). The walls were erected to hold back the hills and soon homes were constructed around the area. It extended from the ruins of the mercato wall all the way across to the Palatino complex. Parts of these were sadly destroyed by Mussolini, who wanted a clear view all the way to the Colosseum. He rather liked watching his army marching away with the Colosseum in the background.
Our last stop, the Colosseum was built for entertainment. It was also one of the few places where Romans could actually view the Emperor. It was here the Emperor could gauge the sentiment of his people . For the Romans, they could also see the extent of the Empire's reach: the exotic animals brought in & the poor gladiators from all the lands they had conquered.
I thanked Dario for a most informative and good overview of Rome- not bad for my first few hours there!. Wearily, i catch a cab back to the hostel.
M&J Place have their own cafe/bar downstairs called the Living Room. Service is a bit slow but the Pasta al Pesto hits the spot. It's only when i reach my room that i realize i have left my international adaptor at Rich's place..and it's only now that i am back in Perth that i realize i totally forgot to ask him for it!. Tomorrow, a bike tour through the city...with Top Bike Tours and Rentals.
Cheap flights U.K to Rome with Easy Jet:
http://www.easyjet.com/EN
Tours were booked with Viator:
http://www.viator.com/?pref=02&aid=g2747.
So far, i've booked all of my Europe tours for biking or walks through them and it's been good.
