Carol's Travels

This morning we went with a local guide on a walking tour.  Our hotel is very close to the Coliseum, so it was convenient to explore by foot.  During the tour we enjoyed seeing this view of the city.

We first went to the forum which was the political and cultural center of Rome when the city was at the height of its power.

Mouth of Truth

Visiting the Colosseum brought back memories of the 5-week trip using a Eurail Pass that Mama at 69, Joy at 7, Kevin at almost 12, and I at 42 took from Rome to London.  We so enjoyed the Colosseum with all the cats in residence there.  Now, however, there are no cats due to the increase in tourists.  There is one place where there are cats, but the tourists don’t see them.

At 9:00 this morning we checked out of the hotel in Ostia, Rome that was close to the airport for those flying home.  Six of us began the post trip adventure in Rome.  We rode the bus to the Appian Way trail.  We walked about two miles on this rocky trail.  Cyclists seem to like to speed over the big rocks that I found it difficult to even walk on.

Then we went to the Catacombs.  I have wanted to see them for many years.  We hadn’t seen them when we were in Rome many years ago.  I found it interesting to see where they had put their deceased.

Lodovico took us to an old pharmacy where Carmelite Friars had made medicine, some of which had venomous snake skin in it.  People had to carry around bottles of anti-venom because it was common to be intentionally poisoned when being served dinner among friends.  We were lucky that our guide knew about this place.  Below is some equipment for making medication.  One of the four friars who lives there now told us about the history of the pharmacy.

This is the tile floor of a Catholic church in Rome.

Absolutely delicious lasagna made with Parmigiana Regiano, mozzarella, and béchamel sauce

This bridge was built in about 3 B.C.!

This morning on our bus ride to Ostia, Rome we stopped in the village of Bomarzo to walk through the renaissance garden of Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters.). Begun in 1552, the garden features a series of bizarre and fascinating stone sculptures.

Then we stopped in a small town restaurant and ate a delicious lunch.  The white wine they served was a light fruity wine.  Many many years ago there was a man who stayed in this town because he loved this wine so much.  After he died, people would throw a glass of EST! EST!! EST!!! On his grave to honor his request to do so.

View from my hotel room in Ostia, Rome

Tonight we will have a farewell dinner, because all but six of us will be flying home tomorrow.