Rome the first few days

We are in Rome, been here a few days. Long full days. And with jet lag to bed and to sleep. So much to see and do.

But first where are we. The Brain trust at work, and with guide books, maps and a plan. I figure it is best for at least one of us to be the quiet one and yes it is me. As Gomer would say. Surprise Surprise!

Tomorrow we plan to see the Coliseum and Forum, but that does not mean we have not walked around it.  And it is impressive.  One of those hard to believe that "there it is", "it really is the coliseum" and it looks exactly like the pictures too.

That would be an ancient Roman bridge behind Patt that is still in use. Now limited to pedestrians and bicycles, but there it is.

And we have seen busts, statutes and parts of both Romans galore. Here is but one. Not sure who he is but do know the two guys in front.

We are not the only people here this week. I have some more pictures of people. Some of the crowds have been amazing.  I think every high school class in Italy is on a trip to Rome this week as well as train loads from Germany, England, the US and elsewhere.

And the paintings in the churches are amazing. St Peter and St Andrew seem to be favorites though the Catholics have a ready supply of painters commissioned and subjects for painting over the centuries.

Pf course the Vatican is a cut above. The hallway below really was that empty. We were one of the first ones to enter in the morning. Linda got us early passes and a guide and we were there early too.  So this is what we saw on the way to the Sistine Chapel which is worth the trip.  no photo graphs from the chapel, not allowed.

The museum at the Vatican was impressive.  I actually liked the bas reliefs from the Assyrians and the other early civilizations. We did not get to visit St Peters yet as if you notice the line over our shoulders, you can see it is quite thick and actually wraps entirely around St Peter's square. The window to the extreme left in the photo is where the Pope will stand on Easter Sunday.  (I think).

Lovely walk among the Sycamore trees along the Tiber River.

Another beautiful church of which we have seen many.

Moses, done by Michelangelo, also somewhat famous.

And just walking down a stairway that was pretty.  It is hilly in Rome so we do go up and down a lot.