Italy :The Colosseum

Hi Everyone,

Well, I really didn't plan on being away from my blog for this long, but it is what it is.  I got back from vacation last week, but I had some major catching up to do in real life, so I had to put myself in exile when it came to blogland.  The good news is that I'm back and I'm looking forward to visiting you all and getting caught up on all the crafty happenings while I was away :)

  We were fortunate to have a great vacation in Italy over the Easter holiday.  We went with my cousin and his wife and all the good things I heard about the country before I left, were all true.  It totally lived up to any and all expectations.  Usually when a vacation is coming to and end, I'm slightly sad, but still ready to sleep in my own bed.  Not this time.  I could have easily stayed away longer.  SOB!  It was beautiful, the food was wonderful, the people were so nice and there's so much to see and do!  Love, love, LOVED being there. 

So, while I started this blog mostly for paper crafts, I decided I'm going to document my vacation for myself over the next few weeks.  I don't want to seem braggadocios, but I really want to get some things down in writing before they are forgotten.  I would love for you to read about my travels, but no worries.  Feel free to skip over these days and look for the cards if you want :) 

We left on April 5th and flew to Newark.  I love the NYC skyline. 

Us, waiting to board the plane to Rome.

After we dropped our bags at the hotel, our first stop was the Colosseum. It's not off by itself on the outskirts, it's right in the middle of the city. 

Our English speaking tour guide.

None of the photos I have capture the sea of humanity that was there that day.  Never have I been at a tourist attraction with so many people.  Never.  Until a few days later when I went to Easter Mass at the Vatican.  Those are photos for another day....

That platform was partially added there to show us where the floor would have been.  Underneath was as system of elevaors and pulleys that raised animals and props.

Me and Joyce.

We were told there would have been three levels of seats all around, but this is the only section that is left.  The other interesting fact we learned, was that it didn't look like this.  The stone would have been covered in marble.  It was white!  I guess after the Colosseum was no longer in use, the Pope used it as a quarry and stripped it of the marble which is now in churches and the Vatican. 

Me and Rod

Amazing to have walked around a building that was started in 72 AD!

Next we headed over to the Roman Forum.

This is where daily life took place in ancient Rome.

And one more shot of the Colosseum.

We were probably up for about 30 hours at this point, so we left in search of food.  Sadly I don't have photos of what we ate, I was too famished to think about pictures, but I will leave you with these photos from a couple days later...

Jay and Joyce...

I loved eating outside.  Disliked having to pay for water.  LOVED the olive oil that came with our bread and salad.  Why can't we get olive oil like that over here???  It seemed so fresh and fruity, with a pretty green color.  We put it on everything!

And some random ruins along our walk after we were done eating.  Boy did we walk.  A LOT!

And we weren't done for the day, but I will end it here for now.  I'm pooped just thinking about all we did that day.  Still, I'd go back and do it again if I could :)

Ok, I'll be back with a card tomorrow.  Off to visit your blogs!