“Win the crowd. And you will win your freedom.” (April 13th)

As I stroll the streets of Rome, I, being a huge nerd, try to image the history of where I am walking.

Most of the powerful Rome is gone, which hampers your ability to recreate the influence of the leather sandals that use to stride the ancient brick laden streets. But there is one place that does no hampering. It is a place where if you try hard enough you can still hear the 94,000 Romans cheering a deathblow.

The Coliseum.

When you see and touch the outer façade of this massive stadium you cannot help but appreciate the shear size and the colossal engineering fleets that took place to build this amazing entertainment venue.

Awe. Just Awe.

I would love to fill you in with the history of the Coliseum, but as always I will refrain from typing it out. If you get a chance our tour guide, Max, recommend the History Channel episode about the Coliseum and also the movie Gladiator for the reconstruction of Ancient Rome.

Jordan and I were introduced to Max through his guided tour of the Coliseum, that we gladly paid a little extra for his plethora of cold hard facts and to skip the hour line to get into the stadium. We felt like VIPs walking by the poor saps in line. Through I am sure they made it in…eventually :)

With numerous pictures, countless intrigued looks, and two short videos that when set to music you will all love, it was time for Jordan and I walk out the gates of the Coliseum. That just sounds cool so I will say it again.

Jordan and I walked out the Gates of The Coliseum.

But no matter how long you linger, the shear overwhelming, awe-inspiring Coliseum will ask you to come back. And you will oblige.

Those Romans knew what they were doing.