Our landing was uneventful.  I probably slept for about 3 hours.  Baggage and customs were a breeze.  With Bob and Anne in the lead, we made our way to the train and took it into Roma Termini, the main railway station.  We rolled our bags about 3 blocks to the Hotel Alpi and found that most of the students had arrived.  Many had attended a free Paul McCartney concert by the Colosseum the previous evening. I was surprised to get a phone call from Jesse.  He was still in Atlanta having missed his flight (ours actually) because of a rain delay in Asheville.

A cafeteria around the corner provided lunch for everyone. Most of us had our first taste of real Italian pizza. Then we all put on our walking shoes and headed toward the Colosseum.  It was hot and the traffic was crazy but really not that much different than Buenos Aires except that there are many more scooters in Rome.  Our first stop was the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore where alleged pieces of the cross are kept.  This was our introduction to the incredible stonework that abounds throughout Italy. The intricate mosaics on the floors and walls are phenomenal.  Next, we went to San Pietro in Vinculo where the chains that held St. Peter are displayed.  The most impressive object, however, is Michelangelo’s “Moses”. It was really hot outside. I paid an outrageous €2 for a bottle of water!

We walked some more and finally made it to the Colosseum.  It cost €168 to get us all in.  It was magnificent: one of those places I had always wanted to visit.  I walked around the floor level and the upper level.  Bob and Anne gave running accounts of the history and architecture we were seeing.  I took several paorama shots which I will try to mosaic into an image of the whole structure.

The walk back was long and hot through noisy streets with heavy traffic.  Each moment I am in Italy, I understand more and more why Argentina is like it is today.  The Italians are the largest ethnic group in Argentina and Argentina is a knockoff of Italy! I was shooting some video and happened to catch a motor scooter accident. It was just minor; no one was hurt.

Back at the hotel I took a shower.  Then, Bob, Anne, Drew, Elise, Laura, Dave, The Faulkner, and I walked a few blocks to a small trattoria and ate an excellent meal.  I had veal.  The hotel clerk told me of a nearby Internet café, so we went there to check e-mail.  I got back to the hotel around 11:30 and fell asleep immediately.  We still have no word from Hannah.  Val was delayed by weather in Charlotte and will arrive in the morning, as will Jesse.