Europe Trip: Day 3: Rome

Today we made our way to the Colosseum. The Colosseum is huge but it definitely looks bigger in movies.

Once inside however, you feel transported back in time and images from the movie “Gladiator” come into mind. Capable of seating 50,000, the historic structure is broadly divided into two walking levels, indicating the differential seating arrangements that would have existed for nobility and commoners.
The central arena (about 80 by 50 metres) used to comprise of a wooden floor covered by sand. Below this floor lies an elaborate labyrinth called the hypogeum (meaning ‘underground’) which was where the gladiators and wild animals were kept before the contests began.

Once out of the Colosseum, we headed towards the Palatine Hill, home to the foundation of Rome. According to mythology, it is here where Romulus founded the city of Rome around 750 BC.

Another very interesting thing about Rome is the number of fountains that dot the city. Most of these have water taps which have perfectly drinkable water.

Traveler tip: Unless you are one of the paranoid hygienic types, fill up on your water supply at these various fountains while you walk around Rome. Everybody does it, and the Italians endorse it too. The ones where you see a sign saying “Aqua non Potable” should be avoided. These are not suitable for consumption. T

The evening was again spent at the Fontana di Trevi. It has to be amongst the most romantic places of all. You can spot the old and the new holding hands sitting along the fountain, and it is one of the best settings to propose. It’s always full of smiling tourists and locals and of course, you can’t miss the Bangaldeshi street salesman selling red roses and toys who scamper when the local policeman comes chasing.

So that was Rome - beautiful, artistic, steeped in history and a place I would definitely want to come back once again. Ciao!