After breakfast we plan to catch the train to Rome, a one hour journey. At breakfast Elsa, translated by Paula, her pretty married daughter invites me to go in the field ministry with her. I am disappointed that this won’t work out today. The group for field service is meeting in the huge foyer of the hotel so we are able to meet some of the local brothers and sisters. Elsa hugs me and Justin and explains something to them about ‘Australie”, ‘speciale’, ‘Justino’, ministeriale’, ‘Sydney’. The sister tears up and so I follow, not sure why but their love is tangible.
Our trip to Rome is going to be just ‘a taste’ of this city as we didn’t expect to get there at all but we have been able to take advantage of the easy access by train from Terni in Umbria. Our first and main stop is the Coliseum and we opt for a 45 minute guided tour which includes a following 2 hour tour of the emperor’s palace and Roman forum. It’s a very long afternoon but very interesting. We found t strange that both of our tour guides were very coy regarding questions to do with ‘lions and Christians’, something other people in our group tried to ask about. The guides were very happy to talk at length though, about gladiators and chariot races. Also, there was no hesitation in explaining that the whole coliseum, palace and forum were covered in marble (not now) and much of it is in the Vatican, certainly the best and most expensive marble is. Of great interest to us was the Arch of Titus, with the frieze depicting the Jews being taken captive after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE, carrying the utensils of the temple. The Arch was built in 80CE. (There is a picture of this on the back of the new soft cover edition of the Bible Gods Word or Mans book). Bible prophecy being fulfilled and recorded in stone!!
Constantine also built much in the area of the Coliseum, e.g. another huge Arch in his honour.
We make a quick stop at the Trevi fountain and its 6pm and our train home leaves at 6.14 from Termini (Central Rome). Its an hour train ride and 20 minute car trip back to Fontegaia and Elsa’s kitchen opens at 8 pm. (Yes they eat late in Italy!) Since this is our last night at Elsa establishment we can’t resist eating at the restaurant again tonight. We are not disappointed. Justin deems this as the best meal, not of the trip, but ever! Now this is a huge call but Elsa’s hand made pasta is followed by the most tender fillet steak with balsamic vinegar and wine ‘juis’ and is ‘exquisite’!
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