After Asisi, we had to weekend free and we finally decided that it was time to check out Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. This area of the city is not very far from our apartment, we took the tram to the river and it is a short walk through the Circus Maximus to Palatine Hill. We waited in line for tickets and entrance to Palatine Hill for about forty minutes and once inside we were already hot and exhausted so we took a quick break before starting to explore. Palatine Hill is the location where Nero built his palace and had all his property. This was a very wealthy part of the city. Located slightly down the hill, the Roman Forum also sits on this site. This was a gathering place where people living inside the walls could socialize. There was a lot to see and frankly I am not sure what all of it was, just very old ruins.
After finding our way out of the forum, we were very hungry and decided that we should check out the McDonalds by the Spanish Steps that everyone raved about. This McDonalds was no ordinary McDonalds, this McDonalds had a McCafe with pastry and coffee bar. Then continuing the stairs to the back, there were about 15 registers. I ordered a big mac and fries, and it came with the drink and a commemorative Coca-Cola glass. This place was so big it took my friend and I about ten minutes to find where everyone else had sat down.
We filled up our bellies and it was now time to venture back down Via del Corso to explore the Colosseum. We posed for a few Fight On pictures out front before making our way into this iconic accent stadium. We were able to walk around the majority of the Colosseum on two different floors, there was also a small exhibit set up inside explaining the history with some pictures of Nero. The center of the Colosseum had no floor but had many walls that served as holding areas, rooms, and cages that were under the floor when the Colosseum was at its prime. Seeing the Colosseum in person was an amazing experience. It is one of those things you see all your life and think one day you will see it in person and get to take your own photos of it. I had similar experiences when I first climbed the Eiffel Tower and when I first prayed at the Western Wall, all places where I now have my own photos to look at rather than Googling an image. Wow!! It was soooo cool :)
And to continue the good times, we had dinner at the Ush and hit up Charro Cafe!
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