When i actually got there, i realised that by 1.15 my mates had gone, but i thought, just to check i would get their cabin numbers and have a look. Haha, in true riverview fashion, Reardo, Jack and Fitzy were sleeping off the night before, and as they said 'experiencing Rome'. So i left them and told them i would be back in the morning.
And from there i had the most spectactular day. I saw the Pantheon, which is phenomenal. Im sure anyone who has seen it feels the same way. It is almost comically large. The roof is so incredibly huge, and the giant columns which support it dwarf everyone who walks under them. I sat and just admired it for such a long time. It is incredible to think for me that this supreme oppulence and indulgence is what gave us these structures. What i mean is that, the kings, caesars and imperators over the years spending so much to show everyone how great they are, when the money could be used in such a better way, made something that can be admired for centuries. And if they had not been so vein and self interested we would not have these today. It is a very interesting two sided coin.
I also saw that day the Monument to Emanuelle II which is also big beyond belief. It is quite impossible to take photos of these things because the detail, size and care taken in building each of these monuments and structures just cant be camptured, they have to be experienced. From there you have the best view in the world over the ruins of the forum and to the colloseo and then right over the back all the way over to the Vatican and St Peters.
St Peters really dominates from wherever you have a view in Rome. It is such a great large building that you have to look at it. I am yet to look inside it, but will do that later in the week.
From there i walked along the Via del Corso, which is the main drag in Rome, and bought a jacket, because everyone was so classy and i felt so out of place. That is actually one thing that i have to mention. Although Milan may be the fashion capital, Rome must be following pretty close. It is just such a classy place. There is one street leading from the Spanish Steps, and the walk is excellent, Gucci, Ferragamo, Bulgari, DKNY, Prada, Versace, Armani, Armani Exchange, then this is the one i love, Ferragamo (again) and then....Ferragamo! Haha, there is a shop for women, then men, then for shoes! Haha, and the list goes on, it is incredible. Everyone who walks down these streets is so well manicured and kept looks absolutely immaculate, and the young people are so hip and cool, and completely overdress for a saturday of doing nothing. Oh, and by the way, a Chiwauwa is a must! And it must have a pink collar and diamond lead, these thing are just mandatory. Seeing this was as facinating for me, as the old ruins and other parts of town, we just have nothing like this. Like even Chapel St in Melbourne does not rate on this. I had such a good time, just people watching, as voyeuristic as that sounds! But i then met Simone and we walked through the town part, the Pincio, and got a gelato and got in the car. Then we saw St Pauls and St John cathedrals, which were incdredible, look at the photos, it looked as though it was on fire in the setting sun, this place is pure magic!
Paz