Catching up - Rome

Okay - haven't been writing much cause I've been busy walking around taking photos & stuff.

Now for a bit more detail about my travels - finally have the chance to take the time, upload a number of photos etc.

Rome (Tuesday, 10 July 2007)

Okay, caught an early train to Rome from Naples (had to get up early every morning I was in Naples as I had to get lifts with Matt each morning and being the US Navy he has to be in early).

Arrived in Rome & wandered out into the street (with all the other tourists (both Italian & foreign). Considered catching the tourist bus, but as I didn't have the correct change the lady wouldn't let me on - so instead I started off on foot in the direction of the Coluseum (please excuse any typos in place names throughout this blog).

After only walking a couple of city blocks, it was very evident that Obelix was correct "These Romans are crazy!" The drive just as crazily as the Napolese and they park literally everywhere (traffic islands, scooters parked between cars so the cars cannot move at all - hopefully the picture makes this clear).

Anyhow, continued on & found this lovely large ancient building, the "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore". This building was originally named the "Santa Maria della Neve" and was built by Pope Liberius in 352 AD (after the Virgin Mary instructed him to build a church on the spot where snow next fell. As you can see it is a very impressive structure. I had to go across the street to take the photo (and had to wait for there to be no buses in the way).

I continued on. The main road turned away from the direction I wanted to go, so I took to the back streets and found one of those typical side streets we see in the movies - with the very long & steep stairs.

I came to this nice park where was a number of ancient ruined buildings, as well as a strange German fellow speaking earnestly to a pidgeon (which was sitting down, facing him & patiently listening).

And then I found the Colluseum. And it really does make you feel small and reminds you how clever the ancients that built it were. I got the same sense of "smallness" that I had when I walk past the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). Have a look at the size of the people in front of it - the arches are huge.

First I saw it through the trees, then I approached and walked around it (noting the very long queue inside which I may now have to face).

Got around to the entrance and had a giggle to myself. There were a number of "Roman Legionaires" in full costume wandering around, trying to get paid to be in photos with tourists (and being ignored by most). The guy that I ended up having a photo with was on his mobile 10 mins earlier - talk about anachronistic.

Anyway - the tour commenced & we proceeded inside. The main thing we learned was that the building that we know (& love) today is nothing compared to how it looked in its hayday. All the columns were covered in marble. There were marble seats around the whole gallery (this example has been rebuilt using materials recovered onsite).

The other thing that came out of it was that the entire floor was a "wooden" stage floor, with cleverly constructed trap doors - and it was just kept covered in sand. They have recreated part of it as shown in this last photo of the coluseum.

When I left I just started wandering south (hoping to get to the catacombs but not really expecting to as they were a long way & it was a hot day). I did experience lots of back streets and see many old buildings (most of Rome is old buildings that have been adapted to modern uses).

Having travelled as far from the centre as I really wanted in a southly direction, I jumped on the underground & went to the Vatican. Had a quick look, took a few photos & moved on.

I then wandered past the Pantheon & then made way back to the train station & then "home" to Naples.

Naples - not pretty

Okay - aside from the crazy Italians & their scary driving, Naples has other things that make it not worth going to.

Currently there is a long running garbage "dispute". It involves the mob so I'm really not sure, however their is rubbish everywhere. If it does not get resolved soon they are likely to have a mouse or rat plague.

The piles of rubbish lining the side of the roads are occasionally torched & the fires are left to burn (the fire brigade doesn't do anything).

On my arrival there was a fire burning on the side of the road (it had spread to be a grass fire along the verge). The next morning when we came past, a powerline pole was leaning into the middle of the road (the bottom of the pole was still smoldering).

When we returned that evening, the pole was no longer a danger to traffic as it had shortened by several feet. It still had not been attended to when I left.

The next day (Tuesday), a pile of rubbish nearby was on fire. I was still smoldering this morning when I was on my way to the Navy base.

Rome is okay, Pompei was great, but Naples is worth missing.

Cheers

Hanbal

Arrived in Milan

Hello all

Well, its been a busy couple of days.

Yesterday was a quick look at the castle in central Naples & then out to Pompei.

Pompei was worth it - the best bit of the trip so far and really happy I went.

I got to share the journey with a lovely old lady who I met on the tour - "Sandy" from the Isle of Mann, pictured with me below (with Mt Vesuvius in the background).

Anyhow - today was a lot of travel on train & I'm now going to go out & get some dinner with Victor.

I'll try to write more about my adventures tomorrow.

Cheerio

Hanbal

Blisters & full days - a quick update

Hey all

Well - Rebecca & Matt have been absolutely brilliant to stay with. They have a wonderful Italian Villa on the edge of Naples and have been full of good ideas & assistance.

I have been flat chat the last several days - I do have lots of photos already, so I can see a slide night (or 2) planned for when I get back.

So - Lets go back a little way....

As I was walking around Bangkok airport, I couldn't help but notice that every walkway displayed their incredible loyalty to their King. He has been in power for 60yrs now & they really do adore him.

So - Monday, I'd arrived & was invited to go do some training with Matt, Rebecca and "the other couple in Naples (sort of reminds me of Sunbury a couple of years ago). Anyway, we went down to the USA Navy base (support) - and after some chat, we went outside & got geared up. Matt hadn't fought in armour since he was in Iceland (18 months ago) & Scott (the guy in the Japanese armour) hasn't got a lot in since moving from the states. So for me it was more about investigating different styles & seeing if I "quietly" offer any advice. Afterwards we did some Rapier & this time I had a very willing student in Rebecca, and think I may have helped her a bit.

They had a friends son (18yrs) who wanted to have a go, so since the other 2 had to stop before me, I got to beat up the new guy (nicely). He had fun & may well be back.

I also let these 3 or 4 young kids that turned up have a go & beating me up - with the usual results (they enjoyed it immensely).

On the left is my host Matt & on the right (in the Japanese) is Scott (who has been to Rowany & been beat up by many Knights & Squires at one of their trainings (they were training "unmarked" so he didn't know who he fought till afterwards)).

Yesterday (Tuesday, July 10, I went to Rome (That is the Collosium behind me to the left). This photo was thrown in for free as part of the tour that I went on. He started out with the gladius to my throat & asked where I was from - when he heard Australia he said "oh no kill then, friend".

And today I went to Pompeii.

I have photos for both, but its late & I have another early start in the morning - so I'm off to bed (after I deal with these nasty blisters that I have developed).

Some small changes to my Schedule though.

I am now staying in a hotel in Venice (instead of John & Honor's - something came up).

Fighting on the 21st will now be in Edinburgh somewhere - so I'll have to visit York on a different day (but without the armour - oh well).

Ciao for now from Naples, Italy