But in the meantime, here are a few snaps from the others in the group.
First we took the metro to the Colosseo station. I wonder what we find when we walk outside...
Bam! Colosseum! So many people all around, in transit, taking pictures, etc.
Group picture on the mock 'arena'.
This is a shot of us walking to get to the "underground" part of the Colosseum, or at least the below-stage-level part.
The remains here are what the platform area was built upon. the square voids to the left are where elevator shafts were constructed to hoist up gladiators and props for the varied battles and spectacles that were put on in this ampitheatre. This holds true for most of the Colosseum: most of what remains is the stone support. The seating, decorated facades and assisting parts below have all deteriorated, been burned down, or been stolen and looted for other structures.
This is the view from atop the Colosseum. We were very fortunate to be able to go all the way up to the top, which is constantly guarded. The view was great, both of the Colosseum itself and of the surrounding archaeological sites and busy modern city.
The many facts about the Colosseum are truly amazing. It wasn't the only large amphitheatre in the area, but the only one that survived. It was built in only 8 years. It could hold 80,000 spectators and yet was so efficiently organized that it could be evacuated in 15 minutes in case of natural disasters, like earthquakes, which were fairly common.
Goodbye Colosseum! Next up was a tour in Ancient Rome of the Crypts of Balbi. This is an archaeological site being excavated that was once a theater of a rich upper class man of the time. It was nothing compared to the Colosseum, but had many interesting artifacts nonetheless.
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