Living the History Channel and Confusing the Locals

So now we’re back from another day of relaxed-pace touring. Today was actually a good bit brisker, mostly since the guide wouldn’t give us a choice. That’s right, we jumped on one of those large-group tours rounding up strays on the streets. It was a good one, though. 8 extra euro on the entrance fee to the Coliseum got us past the hour and a half line, and guided all up the Palatine Hill and around all through the ruins. The Coliseum tour was useless as far as information goes (watch the History Channel special so you at least get the CGI reconstructions to go along with it) but with our tight schedule forgoing the hour-long line alone made the price worth while. We spent a nice hour inside the Coliseum and made a somewhat startling discovery: they’re rebuilding a corner of it. Fresh marble has been laid where the seats once were, and in the flood under the arched stairs leading up to the seats. A quarter of the old wooden stage is back, and the top story of the Coliseum opposite the restored seats creates the background for the stage. Quite a strange monument to revive, but I imagine the Latin scholars are thrilled.
Speaking of Latin scholars, I’m going to make the birthday girl (Tiffany) give you a little more insight on this city tonight. I’m not really big on my ancient Roman history. I’m much more interested in the Church, and in what they’ve done here in the past two thousand years. I get a few hours in the Vatican tomorrow, and I’m going to drag Tiff and Mary through a few more churches before we leave here. I’ll tell you about that, Tiff can tell you about this, and maybe we’ll get it all together by then.
Hopefully all the political intrigue will be done by then.
Today was Protest Day in Rome. Recall that Italians riot about soccer on a regular basis, so when actual historically relevant events come up people really get stirred up. The Italian Communists decided to throw an anti-American/anti-war march today. It wound around Old Rome and ended right in front of Piazza Venecia. We had to wind around 6 rows of full-riot-gear cops and a couple of blocks to get back on path to the Pantheon, which we ended up skipping out on due to tired feet and hunger. We caught the bus back to the hotel instead, and are now scouting out the dinner situation.
Tiff and Mary keep muttering “well they may want to influence the American opinion, but they can’t” whenever the news or anyone else mentions European opinions swaying the vote. They’re probably right. To Americans it doesn’t really matter what the rest of the world thinks. They’ve been swayed by propaganda, misinformed, or are generally ignorant. Right.
I keep saying I’m not going to talk about politics here. I’m trying, really. It’s just that time of year, you know? A few more days and maybe I can clear my mind from it again.
One nice thing about this city, there’s an old law in effect protecting stray animals, especially cats. Volunteer women, called “cat women” in Italian, take care of all their needs and manage the shelter they all live in. We saw several cats lounging around the Coliseum and the ruins, typically looking at our large group like we were intruding on their territory. I suppose we are, that law has been here a lot longer than we have. I was just happy to see cats again.
Osama picked quite a good time to pop up again, didn’t he? Having a recurring villain provides a nice literary device for us all.
Rather than discussing or heading toward food, we are watching the forecast for Africa. I’m going to get them moving.
Ah, I didn’t have to. They just got on it all by themselves. We have a reservation for 8. Still early by Italian standards, but as has been made extremely obvious repeatedly, we’re not Italian.
They’re quite amused by Mary asking about birthday cakes.