Sunday, June 19: This is me in the Dusseldorf airport, after being awake for twenty hours, waiting for our entire group to make it through passport control upon arrival in Europe. We had a two hour layover in Germany before catching our flight to Rome. I don't sleep well (or at all really) on planes so my "good cheer" was flagging at this point. I did, however, manage to rally by the time we made it to our hotel later in the day. The flights went smoothly, the worst part being the one hour and forty five minute wait for our luggage in Rome, but otherwise we made it without a hitch.
After finally getting our luggage (it was 4:00 PM by this point) we met up with our tour group leader, Stefano, and boarded a bus that would take us to our hotel. Most of the students and chaperones were wide awake, excitedly snapping photos out the window of the bus. I was excited to be in Rome and I couldn't wait to hit the ground running (we had an ambitious agenda of sightseeing for the first day) after a stop at the hotel to check in and shower.
Our first stop, after the hotel, was the Colosseum - for which we had tickets (no gladiator fights though). We had a bit of time before entering so I explored the area nearby, walking on the original Roman road, called Via Sacra, up Palatine Hill and toward the Roman Forum. It was a breathtaking and the position of the sun made for some wonderful photographs.
The Colosseum is an imposing structure, just as I remember. Inside they are doing some restoration, including a small area where they have installed a floor that is similar to the one on which the games or "people and animals tearing one another limb from limb" were held. It was basically a scaffolding that supported a wooden floor that was then covered in sand. Sand was used because it soaked up the blood, was easy to sweep up after fights, and made the wooden planks less slippery - at least they were thinking of safety. Once inside I paused to imagine 50,000 people watching gladiators battling each other (or mauling slaves and Christians to death) in front of the emperor and vestal virgins. (See my artsy photo below)
After the Colosseum we boarded the bus and headed to the Trevi fountain on the way dinner. The last time I was in this spot, I did not (I am pretty sure) make a wish in the fountain according to custom because I was too cool to do it. This time I did. According to tradition a person is supposed to: 1) make a wish 2) become one with the water of the fountain (don't literally climb in because you will be arrested) 3) turn your back to the fountain and close your eyes 4) toss a coin over your shoulder. According to custom your wish will be granted and you will, as a bonus, return Rome one day.
After the fountain we passed by the Pantheon on our way to supper. It was getting late by this point, unfortunately it was closed, but everyone was very hungry so perhaps it was for the best that we were unable to go in. We made it to the restaurant and enjoyed an enormous meal served in courses - the first of many for the week. At some point between the second course and dessert many of the students began to completely crash due to jet lag. Some of them actually fell asleep at the tables while waiting for the ice cream. Needless to say we went back to the hotel after this for a good night's rest.
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