Walking the seat of the Roman Empire

Rome is as noisy, humid and hot as I remember. I spent six week here in the mid-80's, shooting a documentary series when I worked at Wesley Mission. Long time ago now. They're building a third Metro line, so the area around the Colosseum is being dug up and it looks quite different.

We took a three-hour guided tour. Our guide had a PhD in Archeoelogy, so she sure knew her stuff and was a great guide. I learnt things about the Forum and Colosseum I never knew. Like the gold that Emporer Titus stole from the temple in Jerusalem was used to fund the building of the Colosseum.

The carving on Titus' Arch shows the soldiers carrying off the Menora.

Took the Metro just one stop from where we are staying - boy, Paris' Metro is gold plated compared to Romes. Met an American lady last night who lost 80E to gypsy girls at the train station, but we saw no sign of anyone hassling. Apart from the Romans dressed as gladiators that is .... Seems they're illegals, but no one does anything.

We're doing a tour of the Sistine Chapel tomorrow ... Early start.

Titus' Arch showing the soldiers carrying off the Menora from the Temple.

They've had the floorers in since I was last here.