Happy Friday!

May 8, 2015

Ciao!  And Happy Friday!

Here we are just back from our day’s excursions – two, as it happens, and we’re ready for a sit down!

First, though, we set out with our laundry, as Lucianna, our landlady advised against doing laundry here in the flat (“Why do laundry when you have Rome to see?”), and suggests it be taken to Ondablu, a Laundromat about 4 blocks away.  So…sounded good.  We got there, (schlepping laundry along the way) only to be told that they are now self-service only!  Wow!  That was a set-back!  (Note:  Robert doesn’t believe that’s true, however, as there were numerous stacks and baskets of laundry on the floor with tags…however, maybe it only applies to American tourists?  Who knows!)  At any rate, back to the flat, and finally out about 9:30 a.m. to find the ticket office for the Domus Romane.

Our friend and neighbor, Stew LaCasce, had recommended the Domus, but the last time he and Bob were here, they weren’t able to find the right place to get tickets, etc.  Not surprising, as it is more than a tad confusing.  So…first, I went on-line a few days ago and purchased two tickets to their English tour this afternoon.  With the confirmation (which I am unable to print, as we don’t have a printer…) it clearly states that the tickets may ONLY be picked up the day of the tour, and you must bring picture ID (passport) as well as the confirmation letter…so…packed up Maggie (our iPad) with the email on it, as well as R’s passport, and headed out the door.

From the website, it looked like their headquarters were located very specifically on a street called 4 November, so that’s where we went.  Couldn’t find it.  We walked into a Roma public office, and the ladies there directed us down the street and around the corner to “Palazzo Valentini.”  We turned left and headed downhill.  Couldn’t see any signage or any information about Palazzo Valentini, but stopped about mid-way down the block (short blocks) and asked a policeman.  Much to both of our surprise, he directed us in through the big portal of what looks to be the Roma provincial police department – and once we were there, there was actually a SIGN!  What a surprise!  The gal working at the desk asked us our name and pulled up our tickets – and asked if we’d rather go at 12:30 instead of 1:30 p.m. which we were fine with.  So – no passport needed, no email confirmation looked at – but you know that if we hadn’t brought it with us, we probably wouldn’t have gotten the tickets! 

Bath courtyard

Spare sarchophagus

As it was only about 10:15, we decided to take a bus to the Baths of Diocletian for a look around.  I have actually never been there, although Robert and Mom have.  (On that visit, I got laryngitis when we first got to Rome – couldn’t squeak for FIVE days!  As Robert says … SO peaceful!)  At any rate, I sent them off to see the Baths, but had never been myself. 

Tufa tomb with ceiling

I do love mosaics!

Interesting and HUGE buildings.  Many things to see, but most not related to the baths – it almost seems like if something large was discovered anywhere in Rome and they didn’t know what to do with it, they sent it to the Baths, as there is a LOT of room! 

Gotta watch those roads!

HUGE mosaic, now on wall

Apparently these baths were something like 13 hectares in size – whatever that means, and it sounds big to me. 

Robert and cloister

View of cloister from museum

More baths

There are also three museums incorporated in the building, one of which was about Neolithic Rome and contained some interesting finds.  We would have liked to spent more time there, but after wandering a bit, we felt we needed to head back to Domus Romane so as to be on time for the 12:30 p.m. tour.

So!  Our English speaking tour had probably 12 or so participants, and started almost right on time!  (How Italian…)  The fascinating thing was that it started actually in the basement of the police building!  Who knew?!  Unfortunately, NO photos were allowed … bummer!  I hate when that happens!  But suffice it to say the tour was truly fascinating.

It turns out, about 10 years ago, two Roman-era houses were discovered right next to Trajan’s column in the center of Rome – in the basement of the police building!  These were carefully and very painstakingly excavated.  Archeologists discovered that the two houses were owned by families of wealth and power – evidenced by the private indoor plumbing as well as an entire bath complex, very rare to find in a private home.  The houses were later built over in the Middle Ages, and several “new” palace walls were actually built over some exquisite mosaics. 

Most of the areas visited had glass flooring, and you could look down and see things as they were found.  Then, the rest of the tour is done via computer, with reconstructions taking place as you stand and watch – over the floors, the walls and even the ceilings.  Amazing!  The tour itself was an hour and a half long, and there was no sitting down until close to the very end, so it was a bit wearing – but you end with a private viewing from the underground level of the actual Column of Trajan; fascinating!   We even got a complete translation of the column, as well as information on how it was painted – which looked very differently than the pure white marble that it is today!  All in all, an extremely well spent afternoon!

Headed across Piazza Venezia to catch a bus back to the flat – this time the 85.  We now have a load of laundry going in the kitchen, and I can tell you, I’m not sure how those clothes pegs will work out!  (We’re 6 floors up!)  Katy, I will possibly be creating someone’s laundry photo moment!

More later,

m

xxx

PS - Wow, just saw what was happening at the Rome airport!  SO glad we got in before all this, and we're heading back out of Paris!