Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Sightseeing the Toddler Way

As we watch the fall of Empires, why not go visit the seat of a fallen, yet still influential empire. Of course, the Roman Empire far outlasted the more recent ones.

We had grandiose plans, the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Square, an audience with the Pope, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps,the Pantheon and then we got there and it was hot, and so we stopped for a drink and a little something to eat. Hit the Colosseum, very hot, so got a little gelato with our friend and Doug's colleague R who is from Roma. 

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At that point we decided that the Forum was out, not enough shade. Perhaps a little Metro trip to the Spanish Steps? Then we got there and this beautiful park at Villa Borghese looked much more appealing (a virtual friend had suggested it). It was shady, and cool, and green...

Villa Borghese
Over Roma from Villa Borghese
Our grand plan down to the Colosseum & the park at Villa Borghese and Ila's first trip on an Underground. We do our sightseeing gently.
Anyway, sometimes the best sights and sounds are found when you're not looking for them, like the free concert in Chiesa di Santa Trinita by L'Orchestra dei Ragazzi that we stumbled upon on the way home from the station that night. An orchestra of 10 to 17 year olds performing music from the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. Spectacular.
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Next time, perhaps we'll squeeze in a quick visit to the Pope. I'm sure he was disappointed that we didn't make it this time. 

Arno

3 comments:

  1. The Eternal City - lucky you. Suzanne and I did a one day trip from Liverpool and she threw a coin into the right fountain and Alan appeared not long afterwards. So magic does happen.

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  2. Perusing your beautiful and delightful blog, had to stop here and say "Great job!" We were in Rome for a few days in the summer of 2005. It was hot, hot, hot. I completely understand and applaud the choices you made. The pope missed out.

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  3. A little delayed, but thank you dutchbaby.

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