Saturday, 5th Rome Forum & Coloseum

Did not have to meet our guide until 9am, for our 5 hour tour. What was I nuts when I booked these tours? 5 hours? Got to the door of the hotel, which is the doorway for like 6 or eight Hotels. Like one per floor, and it was raining. I had bought an umbrella yesterday during the down pour, but went back up for ponchos. Got on subway, found our meeting point fine. Decided we needed a good breakfast. Picked a spot with meals that seemed filing, each meal about $12. But when the bill came, it was $40! Two meals at 12, two fresh orange juices for almost 14, and $4 cover charge (sitting down). When we returned to same area, went down another block, found a sandwich only spot with no cover charge. Had two sandwiches we picked from a display case, they heated and brought out to us. With a coke and a beer, it was $12!  The other place saw us coming.
Back in room now resting. My leg rash has cleared up in spots, but is moving around. Been using Clorox disinfecting wipes and my magical Mexican cream. Going to walk over to the Farmacy (far macea) and ask about an anti bacteria cream. I thought it was heat rash, but cool today with the various down pours. Can' t be hives, as I have avoided eating the same things.

Pouring down rain about three times, light rain in between, then cleared up at noon. The last picture is of the Roman Forum, their market place and there was a spot for addressing the population. One view or idea for the purpose of the Coloseum was to provide the masses with free entertainment, and the day after the hunts, free meat. They felt the masses would not rebell if keep feed and happy. The performances included hunting various animals let loose in the arena in large numbers, various small acts , like children thing to kill a chicken, and gladiators fighting each other, but not always to the death. Interestingly no swords were allowed into Rome. They had to be checked or given up outside. Even the Gladiators practiced with wooden swords. Les rebellions if people do not have a way to uprise?  Last picture is not Forum but a view from on top of Palatine hill. The Forum was below on the flat between two hills. Lots of old temples and temples turned into Christian churches.

 Inside of colosseum, you can see where they built an example of the original floor. Anything left empty for awhile is fair game for people to remove what they need. Some people actually set up homes, probably homeless, during the Middle Ages. Sounds familiar.