It has been a while since I last posted about our time in Rome. Suffice it to say that I am still very much in awe of this place. On this day, we were with our English relatives and decided to spend the day at the Colosseum and the Forum. These were (are?) extremely impressive places. It literally took us all day to see these two areas and was well worth the price of admission, although, as it turns out, if you are an archaeology student, with the proper ID, you get in free. Gloating is allowed.
I really don’t have much to say. The places are well-known, and pictures don’t particularly do them justice, so I’ll just post them with minimal discussion.
The exterior view of the Colosseum. It is impossibly large.
The inside is crazy. You can see the corridors and galleries that were once covered with the arena floor.
The Arch of Constantine which stands next to the Colosseum.
You have probably seen the vendors who sell these brutal excuses for umbrellas, and probably wonder who on Earth would buy them. I happen to know 2 people who have indeed purchased these works of rip off art.
The Arch of Titus on the Forum grounds.
The Forum grounds are dotted with structures such as this.
Imagine what this looked likes a couple of thousand years ago.
Throughout the site is many examples of Roman art and statuary.
Once we were done, our friends headed back to their hotel and we set out to do something that was featured in a movie, Bocca della Verita, the mouth of truth, Rome’s ancient lie detector. Legend has it that you stick your arm in its mouth and tell a lie, it bites off your hand. It is found at the Santa Maria in Cosmedi church. There is usually a lineup and it costs a donation to the church to have your picture taken.
In hindsight, I should have used my left hand, but it all worked out. I survived.
Is It Possible To See It All 
Hi,
A magnificent place to go and see, the amount of ancient history there in unreal, and something I assume you could not possibly see all of without return visits. Great photos.
We spent 5 days there and decided that when we win the lottery, this is where we will live. Short of that, we will indeed be back.
I think the movie you mean is Roman Holiday. The umbrellas look a bit Oriental, or at least Hello Kitty-ish, so I don’t know how it fits the whole vibe there. I am thoroughly relieved to not see you under one.
You seem to be having a ball. Keep at it!
Yep. That was it. The best part if the umbrellas was the negotiating. They asked how much. He said 9 euro each. They said ok. John English heard this and yelled out NO. 9 for both. The poor guy thought he had some marks. John got him down. Can’t remember but it wasn’t 9 each.
Sometimes the price you get it for is more fun than the thing itself!
Great pics. I love seeing ancient structures, especially in cities where they are side by side with modern ones.
I have to get out there…
Rome would be the right place. I could seriously live there.
The Forum was what took me for a ride when I went to Rome. There was something so fantastic about standing in the middle of the ancient structures, closing my eyes, and (as you said) imagining it in full splendor. I also loved how there was a chronology to the structures and it was interesting travelling forward in time
I would go back there in a minute. The whole site was incredible, and they are still digging.