VENI, VIDI, VICI ~ Julius Caesar

One of my 2nd Moms was traveling to Rome, Italy and invited me down for the weekend.  Adam was busy with lacrosse so it was just us girls.   The flight from Amsterdam to Rome is less than 2 hours!  It was so nice to visit with Sue- she's one of the most loving and generous persons I know.  She is very good friends with my Mom (born on the same day!), their Mother's were friends, and THEIR Mothers were friends! And of course, her daughter Katie is like a sister.

The Coliseum was a humbling reminder of how little time we each get to spend on this planet.   It was built in 72-80 AD, could then seat >50,000 people and was used for gladiator battles (to the death) and entertainment.  Spectators were seated based on social status: Senators and their family members had floor-level seating.

To get pictures without 152 heads in them, I frequently pointed the camera UP.  The weather was gorgeous (70 and sunny- you can see from these pics there wasn't a cloud in the sky)!

In fact, the sun was SO bright this young boy had to get in the shade of a column so he could see his gameboy screen.  In the Coliseum.  In Rome.

Artifact on display in the Coliseum.

Ancient artifact on display at an archeological dig site :)

The Trevi fountain is a baroque sculpture built over several centuries.  You may recognize it from the movies (La Dolce Vita).  I threw a coin into the fountain to secure my return to Rome.  The standing statue (under the arch) is the god Neptune on a chariot pulled by Triton-guarded horses.

These photos require no explanation.

At the time we visited the Spanish Steps, I didn't know their significance....just a spot on the map.  It was dark out but my camera was able to take a nice pic that looks like a day-time shot.  These steps (183 total) are the widest staircase in Europe.  They were built ~1725 to link the Spanish embassy to the Holy See (thanks Wikipedia...now the name of the staircase makes sense!).

Pope Benedict XVI came to the window to give blessings to all the visitors.  He spoke some prayers and welcomed people in multiple languages.  Afterwards, we went through St. Peter's Basilica (pics below) and the tombs of the popes.  I didn't take any pictures in the tombs but I can try to describe it.  The tombs in the Vatican Grotto are each uniquely designed.  Some have ornate sculptures of the Pope on top or carvings on the side.  Others are simple slabs.  Pope John Paul's stands out the most because there are many flowers/plants laid there and people slow down to pay respects or pray.  Here's a video where you can see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9YMzK9zbAM.

Finally, I'll share this awesome view over a lot of Rome.  The Coliseum is in the center with the beautiful Appennino mountains behind.