In the morning we set out to eat breakfast at the Trinita dei Monti, better known as the Spanish Steps. At the very top of a whole bunch of stairs is a church with a beautiful view of the city.
After eating our delicious pastries and enjoying the view, we headed to the Trevi Fountain. Don't shoot us, but we decided against fighting the crowds to toss in a coin (Sorry Papa Etter!). It is a beautiful fountain, minus the swarms of gigantic tourist groups who appear to be oblivious to anything besides their headsets and tour guides.
Next, we walked to the Piazza del Popolo - which in the 16th century was the main entrance to the city from the North. We found some shade to rest our bodies in for a few minutes, as it was another very warm day. Then we hiked up the steep entrance into Villa Borghese, a huge park with museums and a zoo (kind of like Balboa Park, we guess) where we sat and spaced out for a while on the patchy grass.
After watching a group of Italians dance around with swords in slow motion (is there a name for that? We don't know..there must be) It was like tai-chi with swords. Anyway, after that we headed back down the hill and grabbed a reasonably priced meal at an ACTUAL restaurant! Amazing to be able to afford to actually sit down at a place, as opposed to paying less to take your food and run.
Nicole had the world's biggest bowl of spaghetti, we could have shared it and still had leftovers!
It was hot, and we were full and tired, so we headed back to Furio Camillo, where our "couch" is located. We were going to go to St. John in Lateran in Piazza San Giovanni, but we realized that we had been standing right next to it all night the night before at the concert, so we just went back to Lorenzo's.
When we got back there was a note from him that said he would be back later this evening and oh, by the way, we might not be able to stay here after tonight. Hmmm?! So Katie researched a bunch of other cool towns in Italy that we could go to (as we have exhausted all couch resources here in Roma), but we settled on a cheap little hostel here in Rome if we do end up needing to leave.
We then grabbed some gelato and came back for a nap/reading/rejuvenation session. Later on, we decided to take on the task of shaving our legs. This essentially has not been done since Amsterdam. It was quite an adventure! We may, in fact, have clogged Lorenzo's drain, and shed a few pounds at the same time (Sorry Sam, we just couldn't hold out!).
We didn't think we were going to be able to find anything to eat except for McDonald's because it was a Sunday and even the grocery store was closed, so we hastily made our way towards the golden arches WHEN, alas! An open pizzeria caught our sparkly eyes! Hooray!
After din-din we went to the internet cafe so Nicole could call her parents, then we came back and packed our bags in case we had to move out the next day. The rest of the evening consisted of reading, reading, and more reading, then sleep!
2 comments:
That’s OK if you didn’t throw any coins in the Trevi Fountain, as long as you throw some coins in some fountain, you’ll come back to Italy. Besides Nicole eating the giant plate of spaghetti, have you guys eaten anything besides pizza since you’ve been there? How about some nice ravioli or gnocchi, what about the cannoli they have at that those little bakeries in Rome? Speaking of cannoli, any chance you could bring me back a couple? You could put them in your host’s fridge wherever you’re staying >: ) Have a big Peroni for me and enjoy your last day in Roma.
Woohoo, a shout-out! :)
I understand you have tonsorial needs. ;)
I remember that McD's in Roma very well! It was very grand, from what I recall. I even ate there with my mom!
I'm intrigued by this tai chi with swords.
My mom and I stayed in a place right next to the Spanish Steps, and I remember those sitting-and-eating-pastry interludes very well!
You poor bubelas; in various ways your account today makes you both sound a bit worn out. :)
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