The Colosseum

 

Home of gladiators, tigers and a big line of tourists

Some landmarks impress not only because of their size, or architecture. They are so well known that you see them all your life through the media, and one day one of them is there, so alive, before your eyes. 

The Colosseum is a good example of that. It represents, itself, Italy. You can wander in the some piazza and maybe you think it could fit somewhere else in Europe. However, it’s impossible to have that feel while walking around that ancient stadium.

 About the picture

A lot of people like to take pictures from the whole Colosseum. Naturally, I’ve got mine, too. And they seem like a thousand postcards sold on every corner. 

Therefore, I preferred to get a snapshot which could show both some detail and give an idea of where it took place. Hopefully, some visitors will agree with me.

Roman scooter

 

Look to both sides before crossing, please

Riding a scooter seems an essential part of the Roman experience. I skipped it, for the sake of my good health, but what about capturing some images of them? 

About the picture

Beginners usually think that taking that kind of photo, with a sharp subject and the background on motion blur, is a big deal. But you’ll see it’s preety easy. 

When the vehicle subject is coming, point the camera towards it. As soon as it gets to the point you want to take a picture, press the shutter button. The big deal is to keep following the subject with the camera even after you pressed the button. Personally, I prefer looking at the viewfinder instead of using the LCD viewer, because it gives me more stability. And, remember, taking it on low light conditions can be hard, without some extra camera setup.

After a few tries, you can take a sharp image. And some impressed friends, I hope so.

Roman Forum

Downtown Rome, 50 BC

I don´t get anxious to visit ruins. Sometimes, you keep looking at a pile of stones which used to be a palace. Impossible to forget myself walking literally under Barcelona streets struggling to see vases and wineries in the middle of debris.

That rule doesn´t apply to the Roman Forum. From the outside, near the Circus Maximus it´s possible to notice that the ruins are preserved, and surrounded by gardens which minimize that feel of your-typical-archealogical-site.

The Forum wasn´t only a place for judgements, as the word is used nowadays. It was the whole complex with temples and public buildings. In the inside, it´s easy to imagine how it used to be during the old Republic. Probably, some senators made a speech at same the place where, now, a loud tourist guide shows off.

Well, thinking twice, as non-Latin speaker backpackers weren´t welcome on that time, things are better as they are now. Let´s go back to the ruins.

Rome, sweet Rome

 

Believe it or not: It used to be hard to find decent food in Rome

No cliché is enough for the city itself. Is “A great city to get lost” ok? The way to every monument or museum on the central neighbourhoods is filled with charming streets and beautiful squares. And, as it was spring, I didn’t face any long lines and crowded places. 

The only drawback was regarding my personal experience with locals. Clerks and waiters frawned a lot, on a behaviour opposite to the Italian always-smiling stereotype. Some foreign residents I met there told me that Romans don’t feel like smiling just to look nice, but they know how to enjoy themselves. I hope so. 

Anyway, the food is awesome: pizza on small shops is so yummy, and it was great to join friends for a gelato any time of the day, even after coming back from a bar. The next few posts will be dedicated to the Eternal City.