Prossima Fermata: Castel Gandolfo .....The Way We Were: The First Glance

Matt giving some assistance

You ever wonder why people cry when they see their child for the first time? It is because of the hard work it took them to over come the pain and despair. Well, I didn't have any of those problems nor have I ever experienced child birth. I have however, had breath taking first glances at the unforgettable moments in life. Those moments measure to the same level of child birth. Today, we all had a unique first glance at the Roman Forum through the arches of the Capitalini Museo.

Today was the first day that we have had rain in Rome. Rain seems so foreign in this eternal city of the world. We first visited the Vittorio Emanuele Monument. It is not well liked in Rome. The Romans call it the birthday cake. In my opinion, I think it is a beautiful monument. It also houses the Italian equivalence to the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier." No matter how avant garde the monument is, I like it. It adds character to my view of Rome.

Natalie polishing Constantine's Toe

Capitalini Hill is equivalent to the Greek Acropolis. This is where the start of the Roman day occurred and where it ended. In the middle of the square stands the Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue. Well, the really one is inside of the museum but a fake stands outside where the statue once stood. Inside the museum lays exhibit the remains of the Constantine statue. While waiting for our tour guide to show, we had a little too much fun with the statue. This is the way we were in Rome. We took the time to have a laugh but also learn about the new culture we have now become a part of in Rome. These moments of laughter we will remember for years to come.

The main purpose of our visit to the museum was to see the real Marcus Aurelius statue inside. This statue is the oldest equestrian statue in Rome. The only reason why this statue stood the threads of time is because it was mistaken to have been Constantine on the horse. The famed statue of the "She Wolf" is housed in the Capitalini Museo as well. This is the symbol of Rome.

There isn't much more that I remember about this museum. The problem being is that there is only so much that one can take in from a museum on one single day. I suspect that I will have to make another visit to the museum. I think that the other problem being is that I am writing this 4 years after I first traveled to Rome. The museum is really good to learn the general history of Rome and early Romans. As we walked through the museum and glanced at the busts of Emperor heads of long ago. We walked back to this section that looks out upon the Roman Forum. Through the arches we were able to see the Roman Forum for the first time. It was raining outside and barely a sole was walking around in the Roman Forum. Danilo leans over and says that all those people are getting rained on. They are not having fun. I think that I would much rather prefer to be rained on than overwhelmed by the mass numbers of tourists wondering around. It was a lovely sight. I love the moment when my breath is taken away by a sight.