The Baths of Caracalla

    We visited the Baths of Caracalla today. The baths are near the Stadio Olympico where AS Roma plays, my favorite soccer team. Today was the first day that I actually felt that I was able to walk in ancient Rome. We had to wait outside for our tour guide today. Rachel came up with the idea to play charades. We were all sitting around in a circle guessing various different phrases. I ended up guessing Rachel's phrase which was broccoli trees. I remembered her telling me that she thought the Italian trees looked like a stock of broccoli. Since I guessed her phrase it was my turn. I settled on my old stand by of "cocktail dress." Needless to say the guesses started to become rather pornographic. Every time I play charades I always use that phrase. I blame it on a time I was at a friend's house in high school for a party after a musical I was in. We were playing charades and she used that phrase. Since then I use that same charades phrase.
     Finally, our tour guide came. He was the same man that guided us through the Capitolini Museo days earlier. He was an excellent tour guide then so I was looking forward to learning about the baths. The baths were the earliest form of the spa but more manly. First thing the men would do is come into the baths and disrobe. The term gymnasium has root in "becoming nude." These men would then head to the gymnasium nude. They would do their various exercises and sweat out all of the impurities. Additional heat would be added to warm the floors of the gymnasium. The technology of the additional heat area is interesting. The floor would be elevated off of the base floor where the heat could circulate through heating the tiled floors. It would even travel up through the walls. The Romans were ingenious. They developed this system that would recycle the humidity off the walls back into the heating system. After the men would sweat out all of their impurities they would then head to the pool area to wash off the sweat. The pool area here in Caracalla.was among the largest in ancient Rome. After the men had a few laps and washes by their slaves boys or boy lovers, they would move on to the fridgidarium or the cold room. Moving to this room would help close the pores of the skin. This is important so that impurities do not get into the skin and cause irritations. This area is so different compared to the Roman Forum. The over crowded Disney nature that the Forum had did not exists here. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. It doesn't seem to be frequented by the tourists.

Doc Dubs

      Our guide left us to wonder around the area. Doc Dubs had just bought a new coat with a pleat in it this morning at the train station. She was walking around modeling the coat. Out of no where she threw her scarf around her head and exclaimed she was a movie star. Cheers to being the movie star for that brief moment.
    Every where we turned there was another new exciting bit of the place we could explore all to ourselves. After much hiking around we gathered near the entrance. We were parting ways with Matt, Nicole and Brittany for our first weekend because they were heading to Barcelona, Spain. I had opted to stay for the weekend to explore some more. Plus, there were talks of going to Assisi. I was dieing to go there because Saint Frances is whom my beloved grandmother is named after. She was born on his feast day. I am not too sure whether we will go but it would be nice. We have to travel in a group. We are not allowed to travel alone unfortunately!
   

Matt is showing Danilo his picture and Jenna and Ali are pretend sleeping. 

On our way back to the train station Doc Dubs wanted to head over to the Trevi Fountain for the first time. I couldn't pass this up. I have been dieing to see the fountain. I have this burning desire to wade in the waters much like what was done in the movie La Dulce Vita. Thinking smart, I best not because I will be arrested.

I loved the walk up to the fountain because you can hear the waters causing such a noise. Rounding the corner and there it is, Fontana di Trevi, a beautiful site. I walked down to the water surface to get a look at the carvings closer. I love this creature off to the side blowing on his horn. He beckons the water creatures up from the depths to join Neptune on his throne of power. The water creatures seem to breath life into the drowning powers of water. It is an amazing piece of work. We did not throw our coins into the fountain because one is supposed to throw their coin into the fountain on their last day in Rome. That way they will return to the eternal city.

When we got back to campus, Fratello Giovanni gave me a birthday card. He is this cute short old man whom has dedicated his life to the Brothers of Christian instruction. he is probably nearing his mid 80's. He is no taller than 5 feet and wears thick framed glasses. He pretends that he understand English when he approaches us. He even tries to ask in the cutest way for English lessons. He was so cute when he walked up to me. He said while handing the card to me: "For you. Happy Birthday Beautiful." Now, Fratello Mario is rather hard to read. He is the Brother that runs the main house and our campus. He is very business like compared to Fratello Giovanni. He scares most of us because he seem unapproachable. He very rarely even talks to us. The majority of the time he comes in during dinner and talks to Danilo about us and walks out. He seems to always be complaining. I think he needs a good hug. hahah.