The day before yesterday, my family went on a tour of the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill. (Classmates or my teacher, if you are reading this forgive me for saying this) I learned more than I would in 3 days of school in 3 hours.
The Colosseum’s Fun Facts:
1. It was once called an amphitheater
2. The amphitheater wasn’t used for opera or singing, it was used for fighting to the death in AD 80
3. The seats were arranged so the slaves/poor people sat at the top, which was farther and higher than the bottom were the rich people sat.
4. The exit for the people was called the vomitorium (a latin root word for vomit-vomit spilling out- people spilling out)
5. Out of the 80 exits, there were 76 with numbers and 4 without
6. The 4 exits were all opposite from each other
7. 2 of the 4 exits were used for the fighters/gladiators, the other 2 used for the sponsors and emperors
8. The 1/4 that was taken down to make churches in the dark ages
9. There are holes in another 1/4 for the people in the dark ages to see where the iron poles were that kept the structure together
10. The Colosseum was built for structure, not beauty

The Forum’s Fun Fact:
1. There is a beautiful arch called the Arch of Septimius which in the dark ages was used to shelter a barbers shop

Palatine Hill’s Fun Facts:
1. It was the emperor’s home
2. There is still ancient blue paint on one of the walls
3. The emperor’s wife and the emperor stayed in 2 different buildings

Yesterday was a wander around day. We saw the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Not much more to say.

Today we saw the Vatican. It was pretty grand. Being Canadian having the first Canadian saint, Katari, canonized while you’re in Rome without even knowing it is cool. The museum was filled with beautiful items including sculptures and paintings. Saint Peters Basilica being even more so.

Without do, here are some pictures:

This last picture is a picture of a ancient rose. In Latin, rose means pink. This species was remade by a college. Think, how did they make it? This species is over 2000 years old! COOL!!!!!!!!
This is my last post before I get on the plane (in business class) and go home. I will sometimes post about things that are happening (if I go on other trips for example). Sadly I have go pack and get to bed because getting up at 7:00 compared to 9:00 is a big change. :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
BYE!!!!!!!!!!:(