Rome!!

We arrived in Rome and took a 40 Euro taxi into the Centro Storico. By the law the drivers have to charge that for up to 4 people and their bags. It was only a few more Euro per person when divided by 4 than the FR1 or the Leonardo Express so we enjoyed the taxi ride into town. I , personally, liked the green grass and sunny skies. We are staying at the Residenza Antica Roma in one large family room together on the 5th floor. It is awesome and we love it. Right outside the room is the breakfast room. The hotel is located 150 m from the Metro stop Barberini, a great location in between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

We immediately dropped our stuff off and headed out to have pizza across the street to Olimio's. Mom and I shared the pizza margherita and the Olimpio pizza, which had aubergines/eggplant, mushrooms, and pepperoni peppers. It was thin crusted, wood fired pizza and was great. We enjoyed the house wine with lunch. Afterwards we walked to the Spanish Steps and there were so many people. I couldn’t believe it. I did not remember this about Rome. Perhaps it is bc it is the day after Easter.

We walked down the steps and it started raining, which lasted for over an hour. We spent much of the afternoon wet but kept going. This city is difficult to navigate by map. There are so many tiny little streets and alleys that don’t show up on the maps. Britt and I did the best we could but it go to be a bit exhausting in the rain. My maps were soaking wet. We walked around and I observed the extent to which food becomes art in Rome:

We walked to see Bernini’s great work, the Trevi Fountain. It really is incredibly beautiful, even in the rain. Of course we all threw coins over our left shoulders with our right hands, so we will hopefully return to Rome. I’m banking on it since there is entirely too much that I want to do and see here. Blame it on too much knowledge of the Renaissance period, too much of a fascination with the history of the Catholic Church, and, most importantly, too much of an appetite for Italian food.

I love this photo of my youngest cousin and I. I remember when she was born! Spending time with her was one of the highlights of the past few weeks.

This city can be overwhelming and frustrating, but it can also be so beautiful. After the rain ceased the weather turned out to be gorgeous.

We went to Rome’s famous gelato place, San Crispino. I got scoops of rum vanilla raisin, chocolate, and sweet wine. They do not serve the flavors in a cone, only in paper cups so as to preserve the flavor. My totally un-cone corrupted gelato was great. This place had a well deserved reputation.

Afterwards we walked to the Capuchin crypt at the Santa Maria Immaculate Conception Church near the Barberini Metro station.

We walked into the church just before and then again immediately after we went into the crypt. The crypt is remarkable and one of the more unusual attractions in Rome. My understanding of how this amazing collection of bones is this: In 1631, a group of Capuchin friars left the friary near the Trevi Fountain and moved to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. They brought the remains of the deceased friars with them. The bones were arranged and the friars begin to bury their dead here. There are bones from 4000 dead monks who died from the 16th century to the 19th century in the crypt, and they are arranged in the most artistic of ways. There is a crypt of the skulls, a crypt of the pelvises, and a crypt of the leg and thigh bones. I did not take any photos, as this was essentially a burial site. At one point in the crypt, there is a sign that reads in Italian, “We are what you once were. One day you will be as we are.” Evidently the message that the crypt wants to send it that death closes the gates of time and opens the gates of eternity.

We went back in to the church above the crypt afterwards. I wanted to see the fresco of St. Michael trampling the devil. Evidently this painting by Guido Reni created quite a stir when it was first revealed bc the devil’s face looked an awful lot like the Pope at the time.

Then we walked back towards the Spanish Steps and saw the Church of St. Isidore in the Ludovisi area.

Then we shopped a little. Mom bought a leather jacket that is a pretty shade of pale yellow and looks great on her. We walked up Via Sistina, where I saw this nice structure that I liked:

The nice Intercontinental is on this street as well, very close to the Spanish Steps. When we arrived at the Spanish Steps I remembered what my guidebook said about the steps facing west and how sunset was a nice time to visit. It was beautiful to see the sun setting over the city. The pic didn’t necessarily come out well bc of the position of the sun, but trust me that it was absolutely amazing. The crew shopped around at all the stalls while I took photos, including one of the food that was being sold at this kiosk. I took some more photos of the Church of Saints Trinita dei Monti, which wa commissioned by Louise XII in 1502 for the French Royal Family.

We walked along the road that continues past the steps, with the city down below on our left. We came across the Villa Medici, which the guidebooks said is usually closed, but we were able to get inside. Napoleon purchased this home, which had been a home for the Medici family. The Medici have a very powerful lineage...banking, politics, etc. Some, like Catherine and Marie, married the leaders of other countries throughout Europe and others become Popes during the Renaissance period.

The park down the street is named after Napoleon, and it was really beautiful…not as gorgeous, mind you, as the view from the bottom of Place de Poppollo. We walked around, climbed the lions, and walked into a Burger King close by so Britt could use the bathroom.The smell of BK was so good!

We walked back to the hotel to drop off some things and change shoes before going to dinner. We found a great place to eat outside with heat lamps. I had the buffalo and tomato stack before dinner, and the fettucine with shrimp, zucchini, and tomato on it. It was so good and Sandy had a great time.

So tired…heading to bed. Arrivederci!!

Yes, this was the bed at Antica Roma!