We are three weeks into our trip and have only now encountered our first problem. Jene confirmed our flight tickets with Lufthansa on line but it only provided us with the first leg of our flight to Frankfurt so we planned to get to the airport early to sort it out. When arrived we were advised that the first flight was delayed by fog and we would not meet our connecting flight to Rome. They booked us on the next possible flight but it meant that instead of arriving at 2 pm we would not get in till 5:30. Sarah and Jared would have a 3 - 4 hour wait for us to arrive at the hotel. Plenty of shopping time for Sarah but Jene was not impressed that this cut into her shopping day (Jene - I think Scott secretly arrange for this mishap to happen!!)
On arriving in Rome our transfer to the hotel fell through because of the delay so we were advised to use a taxi van for 20 euro each. It was now peak hour traffic and it took about an hour to reach our destination but gave us our first experience with Roman traffic. While traffic in Beijing was mad it had a sense of rhythm that all on the road understood. In Rome it was do what you want and beep your horn loudly. The bicycles of Beijing were replaced by the Vespa who had no hesitation to use the middle of the road as an additional lane where the was no lines or room to suggest this should happen. Jene spent the ride with her hands over her eyes and her foot on her imaginary brake.
The role of pedestrians was the lowest on the rung and you were only afforded a safe space of about 1 metre with bikes and cars utilizing either side. The secret is to be committed and show no fear.
We booked in and met up with Sarah, Jared and Emily who had already looked around and found a restaurant for dinner. After dinner we all walked up the hill to see the view from the top of the Spanish Steps, in which Jene and I had our first taste of gelato, yum. then Jene and I walked the couple of blocks to the Trevi Fountain. For such an iconic monument the Romans managed to tuck it into a tiny out of the way square. Though it was late at night there were literally hundreds of people having photos taken and throwing the three coins in the fountain, which is supposed to guarantee you to return to Rome. I told Jen that if she wanted to return to Rome she could not afford to throw any money away.
I am Spartacus!!!
I could not believe how nervous I was this morning as I prepared for my much awaited visit to Gladiator School. Jared had been talking himself up all night about how he was going to whip my butt but he too looked as if he was going to be thrown to the Lions.
We all caught a taxi to the school set in a dusty little street off the Appian Way. For those who know their Roman History even being on the Appian Way was a thrill as we made our way outside the old city walls. The school site consists of a couple of small structures housing a very basic museum and an outside arena with a sand floor and and a small viewing area where the girls set up.
Apart from the gladiator school experience the site is used by a Roman Legion reenactment group who participate in annual historical events. We were Introduced to our instructor who was a very fit looking older man who took his role pretty seriously. Before training he explained about the role of Legionnaires in the Republican armies and showed us uniforms and equipment utilized by the Legions and the Praetorian Guards. He then explained the role of gladiators in Roman society, the different types and how games were run.
Jared and I were then able to try on some of the original helmets worn by the various gladiator categories as well as hold the shields and weapons. The weight of all the equipment, especially the helmets was amazing, and you could appreciate that most contests didn't last more than 10 minutes.(Nerdy Fact... All gladiators were slaves and under Roman law were forbidden to kill another person. That is why the successful combatant had to wait for the Roman running the games to give him permission to kill his opponent. To save the loser the sign given was not the thumbs up as shown in movies but
The thumb tucked into the fist which signified to 'put your sword back into its scabbard').
A couple of times during the day Jene tried videoing what our instructor was saying which was ticking him off. Jared and I kept telling her to stop because he was tough on us already without upsetting him before he started using a sword on us, but this didn't seem to bother Jene at all!!
Jared and I then stepped into the arena, put on our tunics and were instructed in the basic principles of gladiator fighting. We first learnt the five attacking moves and then the five basic defensive moves. For those that have seen the video coverage please note that the speed has been slowed down so you can appreciate the skill involved. Also note that they did not have the super heavyweight tunic for me.
Once we were trained in the moves Jared and I were allowed to fight freestyle taking it in turns to be the attacker or defender. The pressure was intense under the watchful eye of our tutor and with Jene and Sarah in the stands laughing and continually condemning both of us to an honorable death with 'thumbs down' at every opportunity. After much battle it became apparent that Jared's 'tough talk' from the night before was all show and I kicked his butt. In defending one of his ferocious sword thrusts I fended him away and caught him on the hand. You would have thought I had cut his hand off but he manfully continued but eventually fell at the last hurdle like his beloved Arsenal.
The whole experience was amazing and I learnt a lot, so much so that I bought two rudis,wooden training swords, and am planning to set up my own gladiator school back home. 'Like' this entry on Facebook and I will sign you up.
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