Ruins, Rance's name mystery, and blue toes

Well, it was pretty much a "ruins" weekend. First I toured the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The sheer size of the Colosseum is impressive.
However, I also discovered the old Roman Seaport called Ostia Antica. It is an entire city of ruins (like Pompeii). It wasn't crowded at all, and it felt amazing to get out of the noisy city and bask in the sea air. There was all sorts of things to see: ancient apartments, markets, Roman baths, a theater, and mosaics. The coolest part is that they let you climb all over everything. None of that "stick to the path and don't touch anything" here! It was awesome.


By the time I got home I was covered in dirt and nature debris-- so you know it was fun. Next time you find yourself in Italy and you can't make it to Pompeii, you might check this place out. It's a little bit off the beaten path and a lot neat.

On a sillier note, I finally found out what Rance's name means.

The mystery is solved, dear. You are a sweet smelling perfume!

Also, my roommate had a nasty run-in with a cobblestone. We were so busy looking up at architecture, that she stumbled and broke her toe. Ouch!
This photo doesn't quite do it justice. Poor girl. She was very brave about it.