..............The Days in Manchester............: When in Rome, do as the Romans

Rome, Italy

Did you know...

...how Rome got its name? Its actually from the story of Romelus and Remus. Check google if you are interested in the origins of Rome. (Recommended if you are a history nut)
... that Julius Caesar was not the first emperor of the Roman Empire? He was the first ruler though. He was a very successful general who greatly expanded the borders of the roman empire. He then took over dictatorship and was vastly popular with the masses. He was, however, killed by the senate who viewed him as a threat.
... who was the first emperor? It was Caesar Augustus. Also where the month August got its name. Also a very popular Caesar. His title Caesar was taken from Julius Caesar as a mark of respect to J.C.
... how Caesars try to please the masses? They hold games (i.e. gladiator fights, animal fights) and that is why they need places like the Colesseum.

Rome was beautiful. Its really magnificent in a way that combines Ancient and Modern. Gone were the days where the romans were a world super power, but the "ruins" left behind shows that they were nothing short of intelligent and superior in their thinking. back in 100 A.D. they could actually think of building via ducts to channel water into the city, instead of running in and out of the city to get water. They also could build complex structures with "simple technology", like a perfect dome. No other dome like the pantheon exists in the world, because we do not have the technology to build it.

It gives you an idea of how good the romans were at what they did, and when the roman empire fell in 472 A.D, the world fell into a period of Dark Ages, because people were lost without that technology. It was never transferred out and just overnight, these technologies were lost and never recovered until the Renaissance in the 16th Century.

I like Rome. If I had to choose a favourite city of all the cities I visited, I'd say Rome. Rome has a lot of history, culture, sights and food. The places like Colosseum is so massive and you could almost imagine how it felt like when the gladiators of old fought right inside. You could imagine the roar of 250,000 people around the colosseum and you could imagine how grand it was to be part of it.

Then there is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, all 44ha (or 0.2 sq miles). The country is built around San Pietro (St Peters) and is said to have the best postal service in the world. (Yeah, obviously.. they are like how small). The Basilica houses where the Pope stays and we actually had A CHANCE to see the Pope. But for some unknown reason, the Pope chose to give his Easter speech at his villa 40km outside the city. Probably some threat or something, but the "official" reason is, bad weather. what a load of garbage. Rome was bright and sunny when the Pope was due to deliver his speech. Anyway, he didn't turn up. we just thought he was afraid to endanger his life. (so much for being "sent from God").

Anyway, there's still other attractions, like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Ruins on Palentine Hill (there are 7 hills in Rome, and each got a story), Vittorio Emmanuele Monument and so many more.. Its really unbelievable the city. At night, the city is just as nice, although maybe not as good as Paris, but its really beautiful.

And then there is food. We had Aglio Olio at some restaurant/cafe, but the aglio that came out, yum. Don't really know how the chef made it taste so good, there was only garlic, some herbs and basil leaves on the aglio, but it was the best I ever eaten. And the lasagne that wenqi ate.. hmmm.. just as good.

I have nothing but good to say of Rome, and so I shall leave the rest to the pictures to do the talking:

Inside the Colosseum. Its awesome inside.

Arc di Constantino. Emperor Constantine was the first Christian emperor in rome.

Looks great doesnt it?

Colosseum by night.

San Pietro Basilica.

Inside St Peter's.

Vittorio Emmanule Monument. He was the first King of Italy, crowned in 1861. Look at the centre of the picture, you'll find 2 torches with flames. Its called the eternal flame, dedicated to the "unknown soldier". These are for soldiers who have given their lives fighting for Italy and the flames will never go out. this Monument is also guarded by the Swiss guards.

circo Massimo. This is a former ground where they had chariot races. Its reminds you of Turf Club actually.

Castel Sant' Angelo. On the top is the statue of Archangel Michael. It is also the secret hideout for the pope in the event of emergency. The pope has a well, not so secret passageway to get into the castle where he is locked in from danger.

Palantine Hill. It was a former fortress and a hill that Remus wanted to start building Rome on. Inside is the ruins, which is really just ruins, but somehow its the most beautiful ruins i have seen. haha.

Part of the ruins.

Spanish Steps in Rome.

Trevi Fountain. The first water source built in Rome. There is a story of a little girl bringing the roman soldiers to this spot to get water during a battle. Soldiers thought the water was the best water they ever tasted and thus they reported to their commander. A viaduct was then built to this spot and they named it Trevi Fountain because Tre (means 3) and Vi or Via means Streets. Literally, it is fountain at 3 streets.

Pantheon Church. It is one of the oldest buildings in Rome, if not the world. It is about 2000 years old and it has the body of famous artist Raphael. The first Pantheon was built in 27 BC, but was destroyed in a fire around 80AD. The new one was built in 125 AD. So yeah, its about 2000 years old, and i hugged it. cool.

Pantheon from the front. It was originally built as a temple for the ancient roman gods, then converted into a church later on by Emperor Hadrian.

Piazza Navona. It is where all the food is in Rome. The ones on the Piazza (square) is very expensive, but you pay for the ambience. there are smaller lanes you can go into to find cheaper food. (: Piazza Navona is also where you find St Agnes of Agony church. Her story is really quite sad. google it if you want to know.

Cheaper, but really.. its nothing short of.. yum.