Roma

I arrived in Rome after a long and mostly sleepless overnight flight, but the sight of the amazing sunrise over the clouds and mountains was enough to get me excited. I checked into my hotel around 8 am and made the 40-minute trek into downtown Rome.

When I first arrived, I found myself trembling, probably from a combination of exhaustion, hunger and anticipation.

It was an overcast day, but I was so floored by the sights that it didn’t matter. I wandered through the city, seeing only a small portion of the ruins and buildings that make the Eternal City famous. It is a reputation well earned.

Breakfast
You must need nerves of steel to do this job. I was scared just to cross the street. I learned in my first few minutes that the craziness of Italian drivers is not to be underestimated.

Palazzo Bonaparte, where Napolean's mother lived until her death.


First glimpse of the Colosseum.

Arch of Constantine, built to commemorate the victory of Constantine’s army over the much larger army of Maxentius in 312 AD.
Detail from the Arch.


The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.





Trevi Fountain. Ledgend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. Which of course, I did.