More Rome - Less Internet
Its been tough getting online since the hotel has only one computer and it is free. Oh well, more time for the sights. We've conquered most of Rome already - I think I walked everyone to death yesterday. Don't they say that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger? Good, we are still alive if that means anything.
Yesterday started with an exciting cab ride to St Peter's square - although I accidentally told the driver St Mark's. Pretty interesting moment when he stopped us outside of St Mark's square (across from the Vitorrio Emanuelle II Monument) and we all looked at him like... 'what the heck is this?'
Once I cleared up that we wanted San PIETRO and not San MARCO, the driver got a good laugh and said that there are so many saints, they are all the same anyway. Just to clarify, the main church in Venice is in St. Mark's square.. right idea, wrong city.
The square was giant and amazingly empty except for the random tour group or 6 (dad got in on one german speaking group) - and the multitude of pigeons. Oh yeah, and the dozen or so folks selling knock-off rosary beads.
We didn't go into St Peter's or in the Vatican at all because we are saving that for Monday (tomorrow).
Instead we hiked to Campo D' Fiori and got lost in a flea market. Julé bought a ravioli cutter... yay! We then walked to Piazza Novana and saw the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. Seems there are more than one Fountains of the Four Rivers in this town. The piazza is built on/around a former chariot racing stadium from the Roman times and thus preserves the oval shape to this day.
Moving on, we walked to the Pantheon - which in my opinion was one of the most impressive things we have seen yet. Granted, I am a bit biased with liking structures, but it was something else. We took many photos and saw the tomb of the artist Raphael.
We found lunch at a small cafe where the lady seemed pissed off that she had to work at that moment. OH well, the panini were good and Julé got more of that Fanta that she loves.
From there it was a bit of a hike back to the Victor Emanuel Monument - known to the Romans as 'the Wedding Cake' or
'The typewriter'. Behind this is the entrance to the Roman Forum and eventually, Palatine Hill - which is reportedly where Rome was founded. The hike up the stairs behind the monument was a workout, so mom took a rest and dad and I walked to the front of the monument to get some nice views overlooking Rome - views of the Colosseum and the Vatican.
After all that, we walked through the Forum. I didn't realize how large the place was, and to my dismay, the famous stray cats of the Forum were either out to lunch or have been 'asked' to live elsewhere. We did see some at the ruins of Trajans market.
I'll have to post more later. We are about to hop a bus to Pompeii and Sorrento.
Its been nice weather.. about 60 degrees and mostly sunny. A few drops of rain, but not enough to make us run for cover. The troops are all hanging in there. We had Mass at Santa Maria Maggiorre last night - a beautiful church and the sight for the tomb of Bernini - Rome's great planner.
Ciao for now.
Its been tough getting online since the hotel has only one computer and it is free. Oh well, more time for the sights. We've conquered most of Rome already - I think I walked everyone to death yesterday. Don't they say that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger? Good, we are still alive if that means anything.
Yesterday started with an exciting cab ride to St Peter's square - although I accidentally told the driver St Mark's. Pretty interesting moment when he stopped us outside of St Mark's square (across from the Vitorrio Emanuelle II Monument) and we all looked at him like... 'what the heck is this?'
Once I cleared up that we wanted San PIETRO and not San MARCO, the driver got a good laugh and said that there are so many saints, they are all the same anyway. Just to clarify, the main church in Venice is in St. Mark's square.. right idea, wrong city.
The square was giant and amazingly empty except for the random tour group or 6 (dad got in on one german speaking group) - and the multitude of pigeons. Oh yeah, and the dozen or so folks selling knock-off rosary beads.
We didn't go into St Peter's or in the Vatican at all because we are saving that for Monday (tomorrow).
Instead we hiked to Campo D' Fiori and got lost in a flea market. Julé bought a ravioli cutter... yay! We then walked to Piazza Novana and saw the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini. Seems there are more than one Fountains of the Four Rivers in this town. The piazza is built on/around a former chariot racing stadium from the Roman times and thus preserves the oval shape to this day.
Moving on, we walked to the Pantheon - which in my opinion was one of the most impressive things we have seen yet. Granted, I am a bit biased with liking structures, but it was something else. We took many photos and saw the tomb of the artist Raphael.
We found lunch at a small cafe where the lady seemed pissed off that she had to work at that moment. OH well, the panini were good and Julé got more of that Fanta that she loves.
From there it was a bit of a hike back to the Victor Emanuel Monument - known to the Romans as 'the Wedding Cake' or
'The typewriter'. Behind this is the entrance to the Roman Forum and eventually, Palatine Hill - which is reportedly where Rome was founded. The hike up the stairs behind the monument was a workout, so mom took a rest and dad and I walked to the front of the monument to get some nice views overlooking Rome - views of the Colosseum and the Vatican.
After all that, we walked through the Forum. I didn't realize how large the place was, and to my dismay, the famous stray cats of the Forum were either out to lunch or have been 'asked' to live elsewhere. We did see some at the ruins of Trajans market.
I'll have to post more later. We are about to hop a bus to Pompeii and Sorrento.
Its been nice weather.. about 60 degrees and mostly sunny. A few drops of rain, but not enough to make us run for cover. The troops are all hanging in there. We had Mass at Santa Maria Maggiorre last night - a beautiful church and the sight for the tomb of Bernini - Rome's great planner.
Ciao for now.
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