Walking days 2 and 3

Day 2:

For day two of our adventure through the city of Rome we had several stops planned. Our first stop for the day was at the Capitoline Museum. This museum is actually located on one of the smallest hills in Rome. This hill, although small in comparison to others in Rome, is one of the most important places in Rome. Ever since the Temple of Jupiter was constructed on top of the hill it has been seen as a symbol of the power of Rome. The Temple of Jupiter was finished around the time of 510 BC and some of the walls can still be seen today inside of the museum. Another major artifact  within the museum is the statue of Marcus Aurelius. On the plaza currently is a reconstructed version of the statue and the authentic one was moved into the museum to prevent further erosion. One thing about this statue that I found very interesting is that it was not melted down for its metals because people thought that it was of Constantine. It wasn't until later on when people started to question that and realized it was actually Marcus Aurelius. I find it fascinating that the only reason we have this statue today is because people falsely identified it. Once we were in the museum there were endless rooms of amazing artifacts and sculptures from throughout Rome's history. I was hard to pick out just one of my favorites! However, if I did have to choose a favorite I would have to go with the bronze sculpture of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus. This sculpture really intrigues me, not so much for how beautiful it is or how well it was made, but more for the intense symbol it portrays. It was said that the she-wolf  found Romulus and Remus as babies washed up on the shore and nursed them back to health. These brothers then went on to found the city of Rome but when arguing Romulus killed Remus and therefor the city is named after Romulus. I find this story really interesting but I think something even more interesting is the way the image of the wolf and the babies has been absorbed and portrayed as the symbol of Rome. It is hard to go far in Rome without seeing this image portrayed in some way.

Another positive of the museum was the incredible view from it's terrace...

Next up for the day was the Forum Boarium. This was a forum that, before the embankments on the river were created, was a main port for ships bringing goods and supplies up the Tiber river. The forum was a place where cattle, grain, and many other goods were dropped off to be distributed throughout the city. Being in the forum now makes it hard to believe that it could have ever been a port because the water is so far away. 

After a long day of walking and being in the sun everyone was ready to go home and get something to eat. That brings me to food.. Up to this point I have not had one meal I have not enjoyed! My meal schedule for the days has been pretty consistent. For breakfast I have been going to different cafes. I usually get a cappuccino and some sort of croissant. While this is not always the most filling breakfast it is unbelievably good tasting! Somehow for lunch I have managed to have a ham and cheese sandwich 3 out of the 4 days we have been out for lunch. However, even though I get ham and cheese every time, it has been a different kind of ham and cheese each time. First I had proscuitto and fresh mozzarella balls, then I had a sandwich with just cured proscuitto and provolone on it, and finally I had a sandwich with cooked proscuitto and provolone on it. Finally for dinner I have gone out every night and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Everything from pizza, to raviolli, to spaghetti, and lasagna, I have been trying to taste everything. So far my favorite has been the lasagna, but I have a lot of meals left to see if I find a better dish. 

I am really starting to enjoy myself now that we are all comfortable as a group and have gotten to know each other. The next couple weeks are packed with amazing places we are going to and I look forward to experiencing all of them! 

Ciao