Rome.... Well, outside of Rome

Went down to Ottica Antica this morning. It's about 40 minutes on the train outside of Rome and was once the largest port in the Roman empire, serving not only it's 4000 residents, but also Rome itself. It's perfectly preserved. Mosaics and the like all still as fresh as the day they were laid. The focal point of the complex is the market, theatre and temple which is located dead central to the main forum.

The theatre was able to fit all of the residents in and the stage was big enough for half of them again. It's where the leader of the council would address the citizens. Behind the temple is the main 'office' row. Instead of signs, the Atticians made mosaics in the doorway of their shops to depict what they traded in. There are elephants (for ivory and love animals) mill stones (for wheat and flour) and sheep (for livestock and meat).

The highlight of the ruin is the communal (and only) toilet. There are 20 holes around the outside of the room, with an aqueduct running below straight to the river. The pivot hole for the turnstile into the room still remains. Rich and poor would poo together. In Italian, there is actually no word for privacy. Ironic hey... Imagine having the runs. Lord above.

Being so far away from Rome, less and less people speak English. My Italian seems to be getting better though. Had a pepperoni panini for lunch. Lovely.

The train to and from Ottica Antica is the same train that the Romans use to get to the Lido (the beach). I'll be on it tomorrow, I think, but the highlight today was seeing a man, no younger than 65, showing his new speedos to his friend.

Got back to the hostel and fell asleep. This isn't good news. It's now 11.30pm and there is no way I'll be able to sleep tonight....

P.S. the picture is of Roman road.