Ostia

Camera wars with Deb through an arch.

Sun burst pattern in the stonework.

Moi in front of the theater of Ostia-built the end of the 1st century BC (the theater, not me)

     Today we went to Ostia just outside of Rome near the airport. Ostia is an ancient city founded at the end of the 7th century BC by Ancus Marcius, though some of the oldest archaeological finds date it even earlier. So basically--a really old place.

Hanging out in the ruins; looking like a tourista.

Yes, I've been working out lately.

The speck at the top of the stairs is me.

btw, all the really cool shots of me (like this one) were taken by my friend Deb.

     In spite of the fact that we knew rain was forecast for the afternoon, we all forgot to bring umbrellas or any raingear, so of course it rained. We got a little damp, but otherwise enjoyed our meanderings around the ruins.

Theater faces-precursors of the tragedy/comedy masks of modern theater.

The view from the nosebleed section of theater seating.

Kind of creepy looking bas relief.

Large terracotta jars in the "Caseggaiato dei Doli" (no, I don't know what that translates to-I copied it from the guidebook.)

Public toilets--this room was a twelve-seater. Adds whole new meaning to the saying, "cheek to cheek". 

Poppies growing amongst the ruins.

Grooves worn in the stones of the road by chariots.

These prepared people HAD brought umbrellas, and consequently, weren't as wet as we were.

The castle across from the ruins of Ostia.