When in Rome...

Wow!  What a fantastic first day in Rome!  This is an amazing place - there is ancient history everywhere but it's mixed in with the bustling life of a big city.  We're staying in what's called the City Center and most of the interesting ancient sites are within walking distance.  We spent yesterday visiting several of these sites, but also soaking in the culture.  Here we are at Trevi Fountain, Rome's most famous fountain.  Legend says that if you turn your back and toss in a coin, your return to the eternal city will be guaranteed.  Unfortunately, we didn't have any small coins. Rats!

The highlight of the day was visiting Castel St. Angelo (Castle of St. Angelo).  It was built in 193 AD and was supposed to be a mausoleum, or a burial monument, for the Roman Emporer Hadrian and his successors.  However, in later years it served as a fort, and then most interestingly, housing for the Pope before Vatican City.  It was everything you'd want a castle to be - secret passages, an old moat, a draw bridge, stone canon balls, a torture room, and a dungeon!  My favorite part was walking the secret passage from Vatican City to the castle.  This was used by several Popes to escape danger and to keep them from walking on the streets with the masses.  They even had their own elevator in the castle because the Pope doesn't do stairs!

I could talk on and on about the castle, but we're off to Vatican City and the Roman Coleseum today.  More later!