One of the disappointing things I found about the people of Rome was that so many of them smoke. Just seeing all the smokers and the cigarette butts they toss onto the streets makes me think that Rome is a wholly owned subsidiary of American tobacco corporations. Italy apparently does not have the educational programs that the American Cancer Society provides in the United States, nor the regulations such as we have in Burbank. In Burbank one cannot smoke within 20 feet of an entrance door, or an open window.
Nuff said. Today we tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Prepare to hike!
The ancient Roman Forum is about a half mile long, extending from the Colosseum to the Victor Emanual Monument. Parts of the Forum are about a quarter mile wide. It’s amazing to see these architectural wonders, some created more than 2,500 years ago!
The Forum was the central meeting place in Ancient Rome, with marketplaces, large marble arches, palatial homes, and government buildings. Statues commemorating individuals and mythological beings align many of the paths.
As we walk these paths, and Ross does his photography, we see that so many surfaces are brick. It had nothing to do with decay, or the gradual crumbling of the structures. In the Third Century, most of the marble was removed to be used in the Catholic churches and their other edifices. We also overhear tour guides point out that on some of the ancient arches, the marble is relatively new, replacing what had been removed centuries earlier.
Several sections are still archeological digs, as well as preservation works in progress.
The Palatine Hill is just south of the Forum, one of the seven hills that comprise Rome. The paths are easy to walk, and bring us to some magnificent views of the City. It seems that almost every view will show either the dome of St. Peter’s, or the Victor Emanuel Monument.
We spent three and a half hours exploring these landmarks. Ross congratulated me on being able to do the hiking so well. And he took a little more than 100 photos.
The Forum was the central meeting place in Ancient Rome, with marketplaces, large marble arches, palatial homes, and government buildings. Statues commemorating individuals and mythological beings align many of the paths.
As we walk these paths, and Ross does his photography, we see that so many surfaces are brick. It had nothing to do with decay, or the gradual crumbling of the structures. In the Third Century, most of the marble was removed to be used in the Catholic churches and their other edifices. We also overhear tour guides point out that on some of the ancient arches, the marble is relatively new, replacing what had been removed centuries earlier. 
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