Life's a Stitch

Wanting the city experience Blogless Marsha, David, Chuck and I rented a centrally located apartment near Campo de Fiori, literally field of flowers, which it was in the middle ages, but with a more sinister history in later years. Now a cheerful public market, the statue of philosopher Giordano Bruno still stands in the middle. He was burned alive at this spot in 1600 for heresy.

The apartment was teensy, just big enough for four people. Thanks to M and D for taking the loft accommodation, my still fractured ankle was most appreciative. They had to be careful not to bonk their head on a 15th century beam. The floor covering was a bamboo looking plastic, very practical for a vacation rental where a tenant might spill some red wine. Our street:

Fascinating ruins right in the city. I was impressed with ceramic tiles that have lasted a couple of thousand years so far:

The Colosseum where people spent the entire day, picnicking and playing games as well as watching the occasional gladiator/lion competition. There is a series of small rooms carved into the hill, where the men would visit the working women, so to speak. Look closely at the carving on the wall pointing the way to the area. Similar carvings were on the ground in Pompeii to direct visiting sailors:

In the area of the Roman Forum was this sheep, carved in 103BC. Where there are sheep, there is wool and there is proof of knitting in ancient Roman times, not long after that year:

Rome was a walking adventure. I am most appreciative of the doctor treated my foot with seven injections of cortisone in the week prior to the trip. Without her willingness to find a way to deal with what seemed like a hopelessly painful situation given the walking nature of our travels, and a terrific aircast sport brace, it would not have been possible. I've had the dream of walking the Camino de Santiago, long before the movie made it popular, and I plan on visiting her before I go. She understands as she's been there on bike. 

More to come: Greece and Turkey