Coliseum @ MindSay

Today a few of my program mates and I went to the ancient Roman ruins that can be found in Jersah, a city in north Jordan. Getting there was quite easy as we took taxis and met at the bus station in Abdulli that takes people to destinations in northern Jordan.

 

Once at the bus station we easily found our the bus we were looking for as an attendant called out Jersah to us as he assumed that we being Westerners were probably looking for the city frequented by my many tourists each day.  Much smaller than Amman, the city of Jersah itself was a nice respite in itself from the bustling pace of the Jordanian capital.  Even more serene though, was the park of ancient of ruins that my friends and I came to see. 

 

While they are obviously not comparable to either Petra or the Coliseum, the ruins at Jersah are still quite magnificent and really connect you back to the past.  Walking around certain parts of the park, I forgot that I was in the Middle East as the open expanse of ancient Roman architecture takes you out of the region.  Additionally, the only Arabs that I saw inside the park were employees while the rest of the park’s occupants were large groups of tourists from the United States, France, Germany, and Asia who were a part of travel programs that took them to the well known tourist sites in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.

 

Reminding myself that the structures that I saw, such as Hadrian’s Arch, were in Jordan rather than Giancaldo, I marveled at how such an ancient empire had the ability to be so expansive and conquer so many distant lands and cultures; however, as I went into other parts of the park, I was able to see and feel how the ruins stood right in the middle of the city alongside the modern elements of Jersah.

 

For example, the space under an archway would be filled with the apartment buildings that dominate the present day architecture of the city of Jersah.  Also, the call to prayer that could be heard from area’s surrounding mosques makes the former dominance of this area by the Roman Empire seem even more distant.  Set in the middle of a small but still modern Arab city, the park of Roman ruins at Jersah paint an interesting picture of Jordan’s ancient and present day cultures.  

I felt good to be back in Rome after my trip to Germany and Paris. It already feels like home. Even better I was happy to see my girlfriend, Laura, who came here on her Spring break from University of Pittsburgh, one of my favorite people from my Pennsylvania home. I couldn’t wait to show her everything I could in Rome. Also the weather is really getting beautiful here now. In the middle of the day you never need a jacket and the sun is always shining it seems.

We took advantage of the good weather, traveling all over the city. We went to St. Peter’s, somewhere I had not been yet. Piazza San Pietro is the most beautiful Piazza in Rome, well technically it’s in the Vatican, but you know what I mean. A huge colonnade surrounds it. Two massive fountains stand opposite each other inside. Numerous saintly statues sitting high on the colonnade perpetually stare down at the crowd. And of course there is the Basilica dominating the one side with its enormous Dome. Inside is an artistic heaven on earth, especially with the heavenly masterful work of Michelangelo, La Pieta, kept in a chapel on the right side. Crypts of the popes are located all over, their faces carved in the richest marbles. The tremendous Baldacchino over the altar is also a sight to see. But perhaps the greatest sight is at the top of the dome. We climbed all the way to the top to see perhaps the best view of Rome. We left St. Peters but later returned for the Pope’s Sunday blessing. Unfortunately it was given by a substitute as John Paul II, il Papa as the Italians call him continues to recover from an illness. I believe he is doing much better now as Holy Week approaches.

After San Pietro, I took Laura to many of the other sights in Rome I had already been to. It was great to go back to the Coliseum, Forum, and shopping on del Corso. We also got a free tour of the Pantheon and Santa Maria della Sopra Minerva courtesy of Professor Dabell and art history class. Rob also had some friends visiting and we had a great dinner altogether in Trastevere. On our last night in Rome before heading on the southern Italian trip we planned, just Laura and I went out to Colle Oppio. It is a restaurant/lounge overlooking the Coliseum on a hill of the same name. It’s a great place for night views of the Roman ruins, and great dinners and drinks.

Having someone from home to share Rome with was great. It is a fantastic city that everyone must see. Having Laura around also made me miss everyone from home especially my family though, and I knew it would be very tough when she had to go. But I will be home soon and I can’t wait to see everyone again. Right now I can’t help but just continue to indulge in my great experience here, however a little homesick.