If you have ever been to Rome, than you know that it ROARS. The Lions of the Colosseum have been reincarnated as the Smart ForTwo’s that tear through the city seeking to devour tourist and local alike.

Really it is the craziest, most frenetic city that I have yet to experience–and it is at it’s peak when you are seriously sleep deprived and stumbling through jet lag.

Scattered amongst the frenzy are some of Western Civilizations most important historical ruins and church histories most valuable art.

On the first day we did the Caesar shuffle–From Capital Hill to the Roman Forum through the Arch of Titus by the Arch of Constantine to the Colosseum back through Palantine Hill and finally over to the Pantheon. It was incredible to walk the pathways of senators and gladiators–to stand the boulders that became the foundation of western civilization.

It’s not possible to walk thirty-three miles in one day without forming thirteen blisters on your feet and acquiring a very strong hunger. We ducked into a quiet pizzaria for lunch and then we found a lovely street cafe for a true pasta dinner complete with a wandering accordion player and singer.
After serenading our table, the gentleman promptly held out is hand for “la musica!”

We finished our first day in Italy taking in a local concert at the Spanish Steps. Rome is so loud that standard microphones are useless. This vocalist preferred a giant megaphone!

Well, I was going to include day two in Rome in this post, but Grandma Penny just arrived to take Ava and I to lunch. Post more of our adventures later.