Continuing our bad luck with the Naples-Rome route, our fast train was delayed, almost doubling the travel time. Bad weather continued. Poor Ian, I didn't have the heart to joke about him bringing the weather with him from Southern California; the land of drought, fire, mudslide... the common fate of children of climate change.
Ostia itself was very impressive, even for someone just coming from Herculaneum and Pompeii. It was much bigger than we expected. Someone had to come round us up at closing time.
On the train from Naples to Rome. The guy as few seats up on the left peering out the window looks alot like Steve Martin, no?
Waiting for the train to Ostia Antica.
From Wikipedia: Ostia Antica is a large archeological site, close to the modern suburb of Ostia, that is the location of the harbour city of ancient Rome, 15 miles southwest of Rome. "Ostia" is a derivation of "os", the Latin word for "mouth".
Heading down the Decumanus Maximus; that is, the main drag.
The Teatro and Merchants Square at Ostia Antica.
Near the barracks of the Fire Brigade.
Mill. Rome was fed by tons of grain imported through Ostia's harbour and granaries.
Random rain shot.
The Forum.
Latrines in the public baths.
The sun comes out for a few minutes!
This mosaic signifies that the merchant in this building is a grain measurer.
Another public bath; another mosaic.
We reached the far end of the site just before 5pm closing time. The woman in the dark coat "herded" us towards the exit.
We got caught in a heavy downpour on the way out of Ostia Antica but found shelter at the train station.
On the way home we stopped at the Carrefour Express and priced the Campari and Aperol = nice!
And pizza-by-the-slice for dinner.
http://articles.latimes.com/print/2012/oct/03/science/la-sci-humans-climate-change-20121004
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting report by la times back in 2012. All the grandiose ruins had an invisible price.
Impressive site! Sorry you're having such bad weather.
ReplyDeleteEvery single transfer had been in the rain, which is about the same number as all of the past ten years put together. All of our hosts started to apologize -- surely the next time you come, it'll better weather. It never rains like this. Poor Ian.
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