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Published: August 27th 2010
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Today we both woke up early with about 4.5 hours sleep. Seems to be working for us over here😊 My feet felt much better when I got up and really good once I drained another blister from the bottom of my big toe...my right foot had a total of 5--it's got so many bandaids that I told Ted that I looked like Les Nessman gone wild (WKRP reference). Today was my day to plan the activities. Between my feet feeling better and not having a goal of seeing everything before the end of the morning, we saw tons more than yesterday.
We began the day by having breakfast at a steetside cafe and started off trying to find the church of Ste. Cecelia. It's supposed to a very popular wedding site and once we got there we could see why. But on the way there, we got lost and wandered around (not knowing how close we actually were!) and got distracted listening to what we assumed was a middle school marching? band practicing Disney tunes: Mickey Mouse was the one I remember now. I walked arond the block trying to find a way in, but it was sealed off from the
outside. I did find a small crack to peek through and there were horses inside as well! Then I really wanted to see, but nope-no way in.
St Cecelia's was a pretty church with a pretty fountain outside, but there is a church literally almost every other block here, so we didn't stay long. But they did have a statue of St Cecelia after death. She had had her throat slashed and the sculptor had her body exhumed so he could see her so it would be more realistic. We also went down under the church to look around--it reminded me of being in the basement of my high school!!
Next we found the tiniest alleyway--so narrow that I could spread my arms and almost touch each building! Ted would've had palms flat against each wall....
Next up we stopped for some water at a neighborhood piazza and wandered through the small streets of the neighborhood. Little cantilevered clothes rack hung well over our head with assorted laundry--including one very pretty lace teddy!
After lunch in Campo di Fiori, we headed out by taxi across town to Villa Borghese--a large city park that included works by Picasso and various statuary
Gucci
The front door looked like it cost more than our house - we didn't go in. by who knows...also has a viewpoint over the Piazza di Popolo (People's square) and you can see everywhere from there including the Vatican off in the distance. We wandered down to the piazza, but didn't linger there since it was close to 1:00 and around 85* with no shade to be seen! We passed by one of the ritziest hotels in the city where the celebrities stay--and found out why! Just a block or two away was Shopping Nirvana Street! Dior, Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Dolce and Gabbana to name the first few doors--it was amazing to see all of them one after another on this tiny little street!
Less than half a mile away, we found the Spanish Steps. All my workouts paid off as I climbed them without even getting out of breath! Paid a fortune for 2 gelatos at the top, but it was so hot and muggy, they were worth it! Once back down the steps, we strolled another 1/2 mile or so trying to find the Trevi fountain. We knew we were close but couldn't find the right street....just as we were going to give up--there are as many fountains as there are churches here, so
what's one more, right?--we found it.
O.M.G.
This is a fountain like the Alps are hills! Ted tried to take pictures but none of them can do it justice. It is freaking amazing! We did recover ourselves to toss coins in the fountain and say "I need..."!!!
When we realized we couldn't stay all day there --no shade and did I mention it's muggy here?--we walked yet another 1/2 mile to the Pantheon. I had no idea about that either and the inside is phenomenal. The dome is perfectly round and larger in diameter than St. Peter's Basilica. There is a center hole in the dome that lets in light and rain I'm assuming--not sure what they do with the rain inside seeing as the Pantheon is now also a church! The floor is marble and is laid out (as is the rest of the building) in circles and squares. So I would figure marble gets a bit slippery when wet.
Finally time to head home for our daily nap! A nice cool shower and a one hour nap, and we were ready to go again! Off to the piazza close to here for a wonderful meal and then more
walking to work off dinner.
Tomorrow we leave early for the train station. We go to Milan and spend the night before heading to Luxembourg to visit my cousin Serge and his wife. It's 11:50 pm so better publish this and head to bed!
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Joan Shanks
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Peggy, you are doing a great job of writing, i almost think i am there. Your descriptions of being hot and muggy and sore feet are right on. I remember all of the places you are mentioning and love hearing about it. enjoy your trip you have waited long enough and if you think you should not buy something, think again you will wish you did when you get home. Sorry about that Ted, you go ahead and buy something too, love Joan