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My first full day in Rome began at 4am. Thanks jetlag. After putting myself back to sleep by reading a really boring book, I awoke at a more human time of 7.30am and decided to find breakfast. I also had to plan my day. I have promused Bridie that I would save the Coloseum, Pantheon, Hadians Villa etc for when she arrives in a couple of days so I had to find something else to amuse me in the meantime.
I cheated a bit, on my walk to find breakfast I also 'found' the Coloseum and the arch of Constantine. I havent gone inside yet though. It is certainly something to be wandering along, turn a corner and there it is!
Breakfast was traditional Italuan style-un cafe and a brioche (black coffee and a choc pastry). You eat it standing up at the counter. I have yet to master the art of eating a pastry without getting powdered sugar everywhere. So dusting myself off after breakfast took a bit of time.
I wandered back to Termini Roma (the main railway station) and decided to visit Ostia Antica today. Its described as the ancient port town of Rome which has been excavated. It normally only warrents a side note in most travel guides, so it was low on my lists of must sees and something that Bridie and I wouldnt have time to do later. I had mentioned to Kristen that I was thinking of going there and she mentioned it was amazing. So, despite underwhelming descriptions in guide books I decided to follow the advice of someone who had bern there.
It is incredible!
Firstly, easy and cheao to get to via metro/train. Secondly, it is huge. It is a whole town. The main street (via) is over 2km long. There are smaller streets everywhere. There is a theatre in the middle, which you clamber all over or have seat imaging you are watching a play. What used to be private residences line the streets. After a while these begin to look much the same until you stumble across a floor mosaic. These are in amazing condition given their age and the fact that they are not roped off or really preserved in any wat. They are just there being a floor. There are ruins of baths and a temple. Columns are littered everywhere.
Because of its size and its relative unpopularity for extended periods of time you find that you are completely alone, walking a cobbled path surrounded by ruins that are thousands of years off (approx). Many places allow you to walk right into the ruin.
I could go on. If you like roman ruins, visit Ostia Antica. Seriously. The sheer number of ruins, the periods of isolation and peace and beauty of the place means it warrents a visit. And you need at least half a day and be prepard to walk alot!
And I just ate a delicious tomato, buffalo mozzerella and basil roll. Tasty.
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