Rome (Part 4)

The fourth day of our trip to Rome was busy! I like to think of it as "the day we figured out where the complimentary breakfast was at our hotel."

After breakfast we headed to the center of the city to see Palatine Hill, the Coliseum, and the Forum.
We followed the recommendation of our Pompeii tour guide and went to Palatine Hill first. There we were able to buy a ticket that got us into the Coliseum and the Forum also.

We loved Palatine Hill. It was almost empty when we arrived and parts were shady that allowed for slight breaks from the heat. The Palatine hill is one of the most ancient parts of the city so it was of particular interest to me.

After Palatine Hill we walked over to the Coliseum. The Coliseum was both incredible and stressful. It was massively crowded (and hot). My first (published!) graduate paper researched early Christian women in Rome. Some of these women were killed in the games held at the Coliseum-- being there and able to see and walk through those spaces was a bittersweet moment for me.

This is a view of the rooms and paths below the arena, where prisoners, animals, and gladiators were kept.

We left the Coliseum and headed to the Forum which was an ancient marketplace and a central location of public life in ancient Rome.

Then we went back to Hard Rock Cafe for lunch....

After lunch it was time to head back to the hotel for a break from the heat and a quick nap. (I love traveling with Courtney and Jules. We totally travel the same-- busy-ness paired with naps. Perfect)

That night, Jules wanted to shop so we headed out a did a little shopping at a fun department store we found. Jules found some great stuff and the store was particularly entertaining. Apparently in Rome you can take your dogs right into stores with you-- I love that :)

Twinsies.

There was a weird deli/market on the lower floor of the department store. This a leg....pig maybe?

While searching for a dinner place, Jules decided she wanted McDonald's. A cheap meal sounded appealing so we headed there. The coke was a disappointment, and the food was fair. But it was our cheapest meal in Rome. Silver lining.

And then it was off to the hotel to sleep.