As a matter of fact, I ever intended to cancel my trip due to my backbone pain. I got hurt in a car crash and my waist always troubles me now and then. The ticket office informed me that I had to pay DM300 for cancellation and the total cost of ticket was DM526. Therefore, I decided to go finally.
When I landed in Da Vinci International Airport on Friday noon, the first thing I want to see was the great Colosseo where gladiators fighting for existence in ancient times. However, acute backbone pain urged me to do one thing: find a hotel as soon as possible.
Shuttle bus to city center is comparatively expensive, I chose to go by metro. In Europe, I was always pleased by the convenience of their underground transportation. Lit. 350 is reasonable for the 40 minutes trip.
One interesting phenomenon in Rome is that immigrated Chinese prefer to overcharge Chinese. Firstly I happened to go to a hotel run by a Chinese lady. The shrewd lady showed me a tiny room and it cost unbelievably DM150. I felt disgusting and turned to another hotel. Better room with shower cost me DM90. After a short rest, I was back to good feeling.
2 stops away the hotel is Colosseo. I was deeply impressed by its huge and crude appearance and imagined the fascinating fight in old days. I do wonder as of now how the human being can be so cruel that urge other fighting like animal.
There I heard a story from a old man from USA. After the breakdown of Roman Empire, people started to destroy the Colosseo by using the stones of it as building material of their own house. At last the country government found it was necessary to protect the culture heritage. So we can still see the comparatively complete building now. The damage splashes the whole building a solemn and stirring sense. Some actors playing gladiators in front of the Colosseo gave me a relaxed mood. They invited me to pay DM5 to take photo with them. I rejected politely.
After that I walked further, and came to ruin Palatino. There I could see two destroyed towns on the both side of the wide and clean road. Left side, there was the well-known Mouth of Truth (you must have seen that in the movie Rome Holiday). I tried it and a young man took photo for me. Walking in the poles and pillars, I have to admire the wisdom of ancient Roman.
My back gave a shot suddenly and I had to back to hotel and lie down until tomorrow.
(to be continued)
