Rome Colosseum 1 6D

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ROF= Ring of fire journey

ITL= Italy Journey 

Monday November 23, 2015

ITL  Rome, Italy 6D Colosseum 1

What a phenomenal spectacle! The small Southern town of Leeds, AL had a picture show and as a kid saw Ben Hur in 1959... for a dime. .10c  ten cents. Ben Hur is still one of favorite movies. And still one of the greatest cinema productions! The chariot race scene was / still is one of the most exciting scenes in cinema history.

I'd have to go back and watch it again to see if the Colosseum was in the movie. But since 9 years old have always made the visual and cerebral connection of Ben Hur and the Colosseum. 

Equally enjoyed was the "Gladiator" movie with Russell Crowe in one of the most recent, modern productions picturing the cultural significance of the Colosseum. 

There was an interview recently and heard someone say that there was no real proof that Christians were fed to the lions. ... Oh really. ?Would you like to put a little wager on that? I think we can all agree on the horrid level of barbarism notched up to a new degree cruelty with each successive NEW war each century from the beginning of time.  ... Christians fed to the Lions would be the warm up act.  

This is a violent world, always has been. Full of mean, savage people, always has been; even today.  

In all likelihood they put convicts out for the lions. Guys sentenced to death. Hang'em... and be done with it. ?Why? ... when you could have a hungry, starving lion chase down a convict; THIS was entertainment. ... entertainment for the culture of people that later came up with the idea of "The Ordeal". You know,... where they put your hand in the frying pan of grease, or over the fire... and if you were telling the truth... then you wouldn't be burned. Right! 

The chariot race scene was / still is one of the most exciting scenes in cinema history; it was filmed right here.

Throughout a lifetime I dreamed what it would be like at the Colosseum and thought I'd never get to actually see it. 

Just glad I made it to see this. 

You never drink twice from the same stream. 

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Florence Italy 2 Ponte Vecchio 4

ITL Florence 2 

Tracks of the StoneBear   Copyright MMXV ALL Rights reserved

ROF= Ring of fire journey

ITL= Italy Journey   

Monday November 16, 2015

Florence, Italy 2   Ponte Vecchio 4

  

Second day in Florence  and ventured out as much as possible. Walked around some and Downtown to transit plaza- the main train station & central bus station.

Down past the Doma again. Fascinating just to be near it.

Onto the transit square & got a bus out to Ponte Vecchio, Vecchio Bridge.

Several bridges span the Arno River. 

Five to eight story buildings, apartments, condos line the river.  

The afternoon sun made a unique reflection on the Arno River.   

The Arno River runs right through the Florence valley.  Floods in 1996 overflowed the banks and parts of Florence were under 10 to 20' of water. A LOT of historical art and archived works were damaged and destroyed.... some dating back to the Renaissance were irreplaceable and years of restoration began. Art restoration craftsmen and women came from around the world and worked several years to restore the art works they could. Much of the modern restoration techniques used today were developed from the work after the Arno floods.

Florence was occupied by the Nazis in WWII. Yeah,... uuuuuhhhh. When the Nazis were pushed out by the allied British 8th Army and American troops they blew up/ destroyed every bridge across the Arno to seal up their retreat.... Except... Ponte Vecchio.  

One of the Mayor/ commissioners appealed to the Nazi General/ Colonel of the historical significance of Ponte Vecchio historical value.  ... so it was spared demolition. Thank you!!! 

This bridge is a work of art.  Engineering, yes. Functional, yes. Historical, yes. Thank You for sparing it!    

The 1st bridge was built in Roman times as this was the narrowest point on the Arno River. This stone and masonry bridge was built in 1345.      

The shops now on the bridge are upscale Rolex and Cartier shops of the modern chic era shops but the bridge has been here since the middle ages. 

We got some gelato - ice cream- at a shop... Italian gelato is primo, 1st class... none better in the world! Absolutely none better.

About 3 to 4 blocks north of Ponte Vecchio turn right/ east for a block or 2 to Piazza della Signoria.

 

You never drink twice from the same stream. 

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