Day Six
The Forum
Made it to the Forum! It was splendid in the sun! Andy came along - brought him up to the Palatino. The mosaics were dull in the sun. Showed him the sites, then we explored the Forum. Stood where Caesar was cremated (people put flowers there), walked into the curia (Senate) where he was assassinated.
Temple of the Vestal Virgins
Walked around the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Brought the ‘Now and Then’ book so we could identify the ruins. Not much left - but it was the Grandeur that was Rome!! Walked through the one remaining Basilica, so large! The ceilings are the same style as in the Pantheon.
Went up the hill past the Temple of Saturn and down to the Bocca Della Verite again. Then we cabbed to the Wax Museum - that was dreadful - so dilapidated! Then we split up and I took the train out to the Museo della Roman Civilite (Museum of Roman Civilization) to find the model of Ancient Rome.
Wow! The museum is huge! Between the wings is the entire Trajan Column taken from plaster casts by Napoleon and laid out side by side. The model was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It is very big (1:250 scale) and all done true to the ancient maps. What a beautiful city it was in all its glory. Took many, many pictures. Puts everything in perspective for you. Was absolutely worth the trip out to find it
You can see the Aquaducts - they are brown in color.
Bought a few ties for gifts and some anchovies, then we had pizza again with a magnificent vegatable antipasto - some amazing spinach salad (warm) and then a lemon sorbet with raspberry sauce and lemon drop liquor (like vodka flavored like lemon suckers). Dad and Andy had Tuscan steak, yum. Wow. Went up to Trastevere and got the briefcase. Thanks Dad! Managed to see the statue of Belli in the dark. I loved that statue, it is 19th century and totally different. Took a cab home and saw the lunar eclipse! That was so timely - since it was not visible in the U.S.
