With Love From Europe: Buongiorno Roma!

Good morning Rome! I always wake up when the sun comes up, and here in Italy it is early. I even had my eye mask on. Our room is by a busy street, and Rome stays up late and gets started early as well. Tried to go back to sleep but to no avail. Diane and I got up and got ready for our busy but exciting day! I have a few minutes before we set out, so I might as well use them wisely! We will go down to a little street-side cafe for breakfast this morning.

After we ate, we are setting off to explore the city. As I blogged last night, Diane mapped out what wonderful sights we will see today (before our tour) and where and how to get there. We LOVE the Metro (subway). We are able to get from place to place quickly and efficiently. Today we will start off to the Pantheon, NOT to be confused with the Parthenon which is in Greece! Within blocks of each other we saw the Parliment Building, the Fountain of Trevi, and literally countless other sights that just are truly surreal to be viewing.

We have to check in for our tour today at 9:45. The actual tour starts at 10:00 and lasts for 3 hours. We will visit the Colosseo (Coliseum) and the Roman Forum and the surrounding area. We had an amazing tour guide and the history lesson he gave us was the best one I have ever had in my life. I cannot even BEGIN to tell you how it felt to be walking up to the Coliseum. Diane and I were meandering up the street towards our tour meeting place, and then suddenly, I looked up and there it was. I LITERALLY almost started crying. Such a powerful emotion hit me I just shook my head in wonder. I mean, I have been teaching about Ancient Rome, and to actually be viewing this ancient structure, or walking on the stone path that was laid down in the 1st century B.C., or looking at a building that was built by Romulus...was unreal. Over and over the stories that our guide told us so matched what I had learned and taught my third graders. I just couldn't believe that I was now WHERE it all started. So, because our day included more amazing things than I could EVER describe and do any just to on this blog, I am just going to post as many pictures as I can and let them do the talking.