Conquering Rome in a day

It is impossible to make the push to absorb all this ancient city has to offer in one day but we made a valid attempt to do so.  Morning down pours initially thwarted our first attempt to find a famous Roman market that is just a few blocks away. No sooner had we all finally breakfasted, dressed, corralled the jungle boy, and walked a couple blocks, than the heavens opened up and chased us back inside. But, eventually we all ventured forth and discovered a bountiful market where numerous vendors compete for business.  There was fresh fish of all sizes resting on ice, several  meat markets where fresh prosciutto was being sliced right off the smoked pig.  Gorgeous baskets of fruit, vegetables, and even housewares adorned other booths. Cheeses of all types and wine by the liter at 1.79 euros was impossible to pass up.  Each of us bought what looked the most delicious and brought it back for a bit of a lunch time feast. 

Next we headed in the direction of Piazza Navona famous for the beautiful 17th century Santa Agnes church, enormous square, and Bernini fountains.  Here is where great chariot races were once held.  To get there we wandered twisty roadways, crossed the Tiber, passed and stopped in many clothing stores, stopped for gelato, and finally reached our destination.  The oblong square was filled with tourists, locals, and street entertainers. At times it was difficult to tell which of these were more fun to watch. Tourists acted like clowns at times engaging handsome Italian accordion players in a flirt and a picture. Street performers dragged willing spectators from the crowd and made the crowds laugh as they subjected them to act in a very foolish manner. Page and Chandy put on a "dinner"  show when they were inspired to take the dance floor and strut their stuff for the adoring crowd. Had they had a hat to put out I am sure it would have been filled with coins. 

Today was Sebastian's third birthday. We celebrated it with a delicious dinner and topped it off with a celebratory  slice of Tiramisu back lit by three candles that this energetic boy had no trouble blowing out once he was captured and brought back to his seat. Then HE insisted upon all of us having filling our glasses with wine or some type of liquid and raised his glass in a toast "Salud"  he cheered!  The birthday boy was given a colorful contracting and expanding ball meant more for mental contemplation,  but this would be soccer star took it to the plaza and immediately challenged other small boys to a game of "football."  These darling boys quickly became the center of attention and amused the crowd for at least a half an hour. The boys gave each other a hug when the parent referee's finally called the game a fair tie.

Dinner was taken at yet another charming street side restaurant where the cannelloni,  lasagna boulganase, and eggplant parmigiano was cooked to perfection and the best I've ever tasted. Fueled with our delicious meal and completion of a shared bottle of wine, we set off down narrow curving streets in search of the famous Trevi fountain. On the way we stumbled upon more piazzas, more old Rome where charming buildings had flower filled balconies.  There were also many street performers. One man took center stage singing some recognizable but hard to name aria. As night descended the monuments lit up exposing thousand year old marble facades, carefully carved columns,  and more sculpted figures depicting a Roman scene. The massiveness of the Pantheon,  the President's palace, the coliseum,  and so much more made us gasp with awe as we traversed from one section of town after the next. Even the Trevi, sitting dormant in the midst of much needed cleaning and repair, was still spectacular given its enormous size and beauty.

  We are walking mostly on streets paved with what appears to be thick black 4x4 square stones set unevenly. Even with the best walking shoes I found that the miles of walking on this surface is very hard on the body with my feet suffering the most. We must have walked for miles today and returned home by taxi exhausted. But after three hours of sleep I find I am now unable to sleep. Still not acclimated to the nine hour time difference I imagine. Add a cycling air conditioner,  a party going on somewhere above us, playing what would be, at any other hour, fun, danceable Spanish music. But, at 3 am, I wonder if it will ever stop. It is tempting to find the source and beg to have it stop or perhaps be enticed to dance. However, the saying "When in Rome" comes to mind and keeps me safely behind the apartment doors. Tomorrow I will have a date with my handsome handful of a grandson while the others take what they hope to be a very informative tour of ancient Rome.  

Oh my, as I bring this entry to a close the music is revving up and the DJ seems to be encouraging everyone to take the dance floor.  Guess I should look for my dancing shoes!