How to see Roma in eight hours. Planned to start out at 8:30, but didn't get away until 9:30 am. Then it took me 1 1/2 hours to get to Pantheon while on bus 116-what a waste. Oh well that's how it goes somethimes. I enjoyed the Pantheon and all that is around it. Had a cappucino at-----for John Stickley. Finally found a puffy coat on sale that I've been admiring since I arrived. Where will I pack all of these purchases?
Here I am now at Piazza Navona. The Four Rivers Fountain was being repaired on my last trip so it was a treat to see it running and clean. It's hard for me to make it out of the piazza without purchasing a work of art. This time is no different. A cute artist with a sign reading, "Feed a Vendor" caught my attention. Off I go with a picture of a bicycle in doorway. Va bene. Ok, I'll try the bus again. Bus 87 dropped me off at the Forum. The line to get in was too long so I moved on to Capitoline Hill for my favorite view of the forum. I love the stairs of Campodioglio with the twin statues at the top of the men with the gumdrop hats. I looked out over Theatre Marcello and Sophia Lorene's apartment. I climbed the steps to ----------Church next to Victor Emanuel. I enjoyed the church. Unlike many people I like the Victo Emanuel Monument, frequently referred to as the "Wedding Cake". This time I explored inside the monument.
On my way to Trajan's Market, Ricardo stopped me for directions to the Colessium (which was just around the corner.) His English was comparable to my Italian! lol Anyway I learned that he lived in Firenze and was visiting his uncle in Rome (really, and you can't find the Colessium?) He went on to tell me that his wife is teaching at a university in Paris. He asked if he could go with me to see Moses. Hmmmmm. I don't think so. When I said no thank you, he asked why not, it would be so nice! Bye bye, got to go.....
Lunch at restaurant looking over Trajan's Market. The view is great. My bill would have been half as much if I'ld skipped the plate of veggies and got a glass of water instead of a bottle. Some day I will learn... I told the waiter I've visited this restaurant on each visit since I was there with my brother, Tom, in 1974. The waiter told me he started working there in 1975 and will retire next year!
I stopped back at the Forum and learned that it now costs to visit it. I decided to view it from afar and visit it the next time I am there. I made my way to see my very favorite scultpture, Moses, at St. Peter in Vincolo. It is magnificent. I just have to sit and stare and absorb as much as I can. Next I just came upon Saint Maria Maggiore. i love when that happens. Next stop is the Quirnale and then down to Trevi Fountain another favorite. I love the roar of the fountain and the grandeur of the statues. I think the sculptor would be amazed by the number of people who visit it daily. It's hard to believe that it was not well known until the movie "Three Coins in a Fountain."
Things are winding down and the sun is setting. I guess I will go into Borghese Gardens which sit directly behind my home at the Vittoria Hotel. I walked around a bit and decided to end with a magnificent Italian Ciaccolato Caldo. I stopped at Caffe al Cinema and got my Ciaccolato Caldo AND brownie "to go"and chose not to sit at the table and pay more. See I did learn something.
Bye bye Roma.....now the fun begins-packing, repacking and packing again. I tried to print my boarding pass, but no luck. This has been the greatest adventure ever. I am totally exhausted and happy.